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Macbeth Appearance Vs Reality Research Paper

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Recommended: Explore how shakespeare presents ambition in macbeth

Jazlyn Wardeh
Ms. Cataneo
English 3 Honors
29 March 2023
Appearance Versus Reality
William Shakespeare develops the theme of appearance versus reality in his play The Tragedy of Macbeth. Ambition and greed motivate Macbeth, the protagonist, who ironically becomes morally misaligned as he demonstrates fealty to the Weird Sisters rather than his rightful king. The Weird Sisters function as symboloic evil and become a catalist for his inner conflict. The author employs tyrannical diction as the witches deceive Macbeth with their vague but tempting apparitions. Lady Macbeth encourages Macbeth—who presumes the witches apparitions—to usurp King Duncan’s throne, and supports her huband’s plan of regicide, even when he doubts himself or begins to feel guilty. The motif of feigning one’s emotions with metaphorical masking is prevelent—no one’s true intentions are revealed on the surface. Even Malcolm puts on a false face and creates someone who …show more content…

Macbeth, debating what is the right path to follow, believes a dagger is in front of him. The imaginary dagger, ultimately used to kill King Duncan, causes Macbeth to second guess the witches. Macbeth falsely believes the bloody dagger is dragging him to the room to perpetrate the regicide: “Is this a dagger which I see before me… / I have thee not, and yet I see thee still… / A dagger of the mind, a false creation / Proceeding from the heat-oppressèd brain? / I see thee yet, in form as palpable / As this which now I draw” (Shakespeare. II. i. 44, 47, 50-53). During this soliloquy, Shakespeare is demonstrating Macbeth’s uncertainty of whether or not the dagger is real or a figment of his imagination. Shakespeare foreshadows the guilty effect Duncan’s murder will have on the Macbeths after commiting the treasonous actions. The motif of hallucinations represents the blood and guilt Macbeth and his wife are going to encounter. For

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