Stacy Stroud

Macbeth

May 22, 2013

In Shakespeare's tragedy Macbeth appearances can be deceiving causing good and evil to be obscured. Surface appearances can often disguise reality, leading characters to the ultimate demise. Multiple characters in Macbeth become victims of their tendency to misinterpret surface appearances for reality. These characters are Macbeth and Duncan. Duncan is unable to distinguish appearance for reality. Duncan lacks the gift of seeing through facial constructions to see other characters true inner natures. As the play opens, Scotland is at war and Duncan is betrayed by the original Thane of Cawdor even though the Thane seemed to be loyal from his outward notions and words; in reality, he is a traitor. In the play Duncan proclaims, There is no art/ To find the minds construction in the face./ He was a gentleman on whom I built/ An absolute trust (Act I, IV, 12-15). Macbeth is soon crowned the new Thane of Cawdor and he invites Duncan to his castle Inverness for a feast. The appearance of Inverness also makes reality from Duncan. Duncan proclaims, "This castle hath a pleasant seat. The air/ Nimbly and sweetly recommends itself/ unto our gentle senses" (Act I, VI, 1-3). Duncan is unaware that the castle is not pleasant and safe; the castle is where Macbeth and Lady Macbeth plan to kill him. Macbeth is also a victim of being unable to distinguish appearances from reality. Macbeth returns to the three witches after seeing Banquo's ghost. Macbeth is determined to know the worst about what is going to happen. The witches and Hecate create three apparitions to prophesize to Macbeth. The second apparition prophesizes, Be bloody, bold, and resolute Laugh to scorn/ the power of man, for none of woman born/ Shall harm Macbeth." (Act IV, 1, 81-83) The third apparition prophesizes,

Stacy Stroud

Macbeth

May 22, 2013

"Be lion-mettled, proud, and take no care/ who chafes, who frets, or where conspirers are./ Macbeth shall never be vanquished be until/ great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill/ Shall come against him." (Act IV, 1, 94-98) These two prophecies fill Macbeth with an abundance of confidence but appearances mask reality because the prophecies are a form of equivocation. The prophecies appear to come true but really they are fatal deceptions. The second apparition tells Macbeth that no man born from a woman could harm him, but at the end of the play Macbeth is killed by Macduff, who was ripped from his mothers womb. The third apparition prophesizes that Macbeth would be king until Birnam Wood travels to Dunsinane Hill. After Malcolm found out about his fathers death, he fled to England to raise an army to fight against Macbeth. As Malcolms massive army of twenty-thousand men marched to Macbeths castle they marched through Birnam Wood. Malcolm ordered each of his troops to take a branch from a tree and carry it. In doing so, Malcolm wanted to hide the quantity of men he had in his army. As the army approached a messenger came to Macbeth and said, As I did stand my watch upon the hill,/ I looked towards Birnam, and anon methought/ The wood began to move (Act V, V, 31-33). If thou speakst false,/ Upon the next tree shall thou hang alive/ Till famine cling thee. If thy speech be sooth,/ I care not if thou dost for me as much./ I pull in resolution and begin/ To doubt th' equivocation of the fiend/ That lies like truth. Fear not, till Birnam wood/ Do come to Dunsinane; and now a wood/ Comes toward Dunsinane.Arm, arm, and out!/ If this which he avouches does appear,/ There is nor flying hence nor tarrying here./ I 'gin to be aweary of the sun,/ And wish th' estate o' th' world were now undone. / Ring the alarum-bell!Blow, wind! Come, wrack!/ At least well die with harness on our back. (Act IV, V, 37-51)

Stacy Stroud

Macbeth

May 22, 2013

From appearance Macbeths prophecies that he received from the witch sisters did come true, but the reality that Macbeth interpreted them to be was false. Appearance masking reality brought Macbeth to his downfall.