Michaela Martin Ms. Morris English 12-3rd period 6 December 2016 Appearances vs. Reality in Macbeth What is the truth hiding behind the masks? To the naked eye anyone may seem normal, but it could all be a lie. On the outside one may seem an ordinary, kind human being, but on the inside a monster waits. It will only be a matter of time until past indiscretions catch up to the person who hides his/her real identity. The motif of appearances vs. reality in Macbeth has three main focus points: how sinister Lady Macbeth in reality is, how the guilt is in Macbeth on the outside vs. on the inside, and how the witches seem to want to help, but they actually want to destroy Macbeth. Lady Macbeth seems like a caring, affectionate woman. “Lady Macbeth is the foremost example and epitome of deceit and false appearances” (Study notes). …show more content…
Afterwards Macbeth and Banquo laughed it off, at least until a messenger came up and told Macbeth of his future as Thane. The witches put a seed of lust for power in his head, making him become crude and foul towards others. When Macbeth finally had enough of watching every dark corner and having no sleep, he went to the witches for what lies ahead of him. He asks them, “If you can look into the seeds of time and say which grain will grow and which will not, Speak, then, to me, who neither beg nor fear your favors nor your hate.” (1.3). This made Macbeth feel invulnerable, giving him a false sense of security. As a result, will lead to his own demise. The article Order and Disorder states that, “We see a considerable variety in the balance of present order and future disorder” (Hale, David). Macbeth breaks the order in his society when the witches give him a glance