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Theme Of Appearance Vs Reality In Macbeth

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In Shakespeare’s Macbeth, appearance vs reality is prominent in the development of characters and theme which builds dramatic irony throughout the play. The characters Lady Macbeth, The Witches and Macbeth are deceived by what appears to be real as it leads to their tragic physical downfall, which emerges the realities of their true appearance. Lady Macbeth comes off at first to be a tough and heartless woman, but we see her fall apart after Duncan's murder. However, in the beginning of Act V we see an entirely different side of her that she keeps hidden away. She completely falls apart after Duncan’s murder and is seen sleepwalking. In her sleep, she is seen saying all sorts of weird things like “out, damned …show more content…

These prophecies give Macbeth a false sense of pride and confidence because he now thinks of himself as insuperable. The motif of appearance vs. reality is central to Macbeth. It pertains to Macbeth himself as he is first introduced as a nobleman, a fearless warrior who renders worthy servings to his king. Act III in scene 4, when Macbeth sees Banquo’s ghost sitting in his chair during the banquet he is instantly shocked and in a state of complete paranoia. Right after getting confirmation of the murderers’ success and right before seeing Banquo’s ghost, Macbeth proposes a toast in Banquo’s honor: “I drink to the general joy o’th’ whole table, /And to our dear friend Banquo, whom we miss;/ Would he were here! To all and him we thirst, /And all to all. (III.iv.89-92) This motif of appearance vs. reality appears again in the play when Macbeth goes to kill Duncan. “Is this a dagger which I see before me, The handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee. I have thee not, and yet I see thee still. Art thou not, fatal vision, sensible To feeling as to sight? Or art thou

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