Macbeth Deceitful Character Analysis

Macbeth’s personality is developed by Shakespeare to be a deceitful character following his abhorrent deeds of murder. One of the ways in which Shakespeare demonstrated this was through the implementation of dialogue from another character. For example, in order to hide their true, evil motives to murder King Duncan, Lady Macbeth advises her husband to “look like the innocent flower but be the serpent under’t.” This purpose of using dialogue from another character bespeaks to the audience the idea that deceit is the hallmark of evil- appearances cannot always be trusted as they disguise the truth from those around them, showing that Macbeth has developed to be deceitful. After Macbeth committed regicide, through the use of dialogue, he lies,

Dialogue is effective as it helps the reader to comprehend Macbeth’s feigned appearance, serving the purpose to develop Macbeth’s deceitful character. Additionally, the technique of antithesis is used to place emphasis on the idea that appearance hides reality and the art of treachery- betraying one’s own King. Macbeth’s “false face must hide what the false heart doth know,” expresses the hypocrisy that lives within him, which is often in direct conflict with his veneer of unwavering patriotism to King Duncan. The use of antithesis allows for the contrast between two ideas of “hide” and “know”, reinforcing the deceitful personality of Macbeth. The characterisation techniques of dialogue and antithesis is effective as it allows the audience to discern Macbeth’s masked evil ambitions and urges beneath his flawless loyal facade. Hence, accentuating Shakespeare’s idea of the nature of evil and the consequences that may result from it- Macbeth being steered onto the ‘murderous’ path. These techniques enables the audience to think deeply about the idea of the art of deception, treachery and the ability for one to appear to be someone they are truly