To most, looks can be deceiving, however, physical features of a human may influence an individual’s initial perspective of someone’s personality. In the play Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, the characters appearances hide who they actually are. The play is set in Scotland during the 1600’s and begins with Macbeth and Banquo encountering the three witches.
They have the appearance of women, but not like regular humans. However, the three witches deliver a prophecy that Macbeth will become Thane of Cawdor. The witches are first perceived as scary and untrustworthy by their initial appearance, but they give out valuable information about multiple characters futures. Lady Macbeth’s hunger in becoming queen takes control of her mind and causes her to manipulate Macbeth.
Macbeth also demonstrates how looks can be deceiving, very similarly to Lady Macbeth they both have ambition to become King/Queen of Scotland but the ambition causes him to kill multiple people, to become King/Queen. Finally, King Duncan is shown as a wise, superior ruler and expresses how you can’t tell what someone is thinking by their facial expression. Therefore the character’s appearance in Macbeth hide who they actually are.Firstly, Lady Macbeth is perceived as a dainty, gentle woman but in reality, she has a vicious mindset to kill King Duncan. Lady Macbeth reads a letter to herself that she had received from Macbeth. It says Macbeth has been given an additional title of Thane of Cawdor.
Lady Macbeth knows that Macbeth is ambitious to become King of Scotland and will do anything that he can to make that possible. She says to Macbeth, “too th’full o’th’milk”(I.v.15) fearing that his kindness will overpower his ambition.
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Lady Macbeth says, “Bear welcome in your eye, your hand, your tongue, look like th’innocent flower, be the serpent under’t” (I.v.55). She uses manipulation and sweet talk to convince Macbeth to kill Duncan.
She then gets what she wants without doing the dirty work while still appearing to be ladylike and innocent. Therefore, her ambition causes her do whatever it takes to get what she wants. Macbeth invited King Duncan to his castle, to celebrate Macbeth’s promotion to Thane of Cawdor. When King Duncan arrives to Macbeth’s castle he says to Banquo, “This castle hath a pleasant seat. The air nimbly and sweetly recommends itself unto our gentle senses “(I.vi.1) Duncan expresses to Banquo that the general atmosphere of Macbeth’s castle is very welcoming and pleasant, but in reality, Lady Macbeth and Macbeth are plotting to murder him and assume control of the kingdom,giving an illusion that their castle is safe.
But reality where they are plotting there assassination. Therefore Lady Macbeth and Macbeth’s appearance or the general feeling of the scene is purposefully deceiving.Next, Macbeth is perceived as a strong, brave, leader but in reality his ambition to become king causes him to kills King Duncan. Macbeth prepares his home to be a welcoming and peaceful place, however, he is planning to kill Duncan. Macbeth and Banquo are on there way to the king’s court at Forres when they encounter the three witches delivering the message that he will become Thane of Cawdor and eventually King of Scotland. Macbeth is shocked.
Macbeth says to Banquo, ” I wish your horses swift and sure of foot ” ( iii .i .39). Macbeth expresses to Banquo that he wishes him and his horses well, this gives Banquo the impression that Macbeth is looking forward to his arrival. When in reality, Macbeth will eventually kill Banquo. Macbeth says to Lady Macbeth ” False face must hide what the false heart doth “( I.vii.
82 ), meaning that the face is used as a facade for what the “heart doth” or what they feel like and want to do, for example killing King Duncan.. Therefore the characters appearance hide who they actually are.Finally, King Duncan is shown as a superior ruler and is a victim of appearance versus reality. He says to Malcolm after he informs him that the thane of Cawdor has been killed. King Duncan says, ” There’s no art to find the mind’s construction in the face” ( I.iv.12).
King Duncan expresses that you can’t tell what someone is thinking by just their facial expression. King Duncan placed absolute trust in the Thane of Cawdor, Macbeth, but Macbeth’s ambition got to the best of him and caused him to kill King duncan. Donalbain says to Malcolm after the murder just happens, “There’s daggers in men’s smiles “( ii.iii. 141 ).
This suggests that you are not able to read someone’s mind from just their facial expression. From the experience of King Duncan, their father, they both understand that some people may appear as friendly but have evil intentions. Therefore, the character’s appearance in Macbeth hide who they actually are,In conclusion, the character’s appearance in Macbeth hide who they actually are.
Lady Macbeth’s hunger in becoming queen takes control of her mind and causes her to manipulate Macbeth. Macbeth also demonstrates how looks can be deceiving, very similarly to Lady Macbeth they both have ambition to become King/Queen of Scotland but the ambition causes him to kill many people to become King. Finally King Duncan is shown as a superior ruler and demonstrates how you can’t tell what someone is thinking by their facial expression. Many people use facades and masks to cover their intentions , feeling and opinions to prevent being judged by others.
