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Motif Of Paradox In Macbeth

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As substantial as a situation can seem, the reality of true meaning can be different from an outside perspective. Throughout the play, Macbeth, Shakespeare uses the motif of paradox to reveal deceiving appearances and the truths of a contradicting statement. Shakespeare’s Macbeth, manipulates the motif of paradox to show how divulging truthful statements will allow an individuals deceiving appearance to cause destruction. A variety of paradoxes appear in the play and focus on each character as their lies get shown for what really occurred. The motif of paradox unveils a major theme of appearance vs. reality in the play, as a result of these truths being uncovered. In Macbeth,William Shakespeare uses an ambient motif of paradox to highlight …show more content…

The motif is first presented through the predictions from the witches in the beginning of the novel, causing certain doubt for Macbeth already. In the play, paradox is used to reveal deceitful appearances and show a major theme of appearance vs. reality. For example, the paradoxes are meant to mislead and confuse Macbeth because of the equivocation resulting from them. The paradoxes can have multiple meanings, as shown through the witches' predictions, and create fear as the main source leading to catharsis. It emphasizes the secrecy throughout the play and how Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are hiding their murders. For instance, it states, “better be with the dead, whom we gain with our peace, have sent to peace, then on the torture of our mind to lie in restless ecstasy” (3.2.19-23). The quote shows how Macbeth is feeling guilty and would rather be dead and peaceful rather than suffer. It develops in the theme of appearance vs. reality and secrecy because his greed and wicked secret will be revealed. Finally, the motif of paradox is used in the play to represent a theme of appearance vs. reality and increase the fears and uncertainty between the

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