How Does Shakespeare Use Deceptive Appearances In Macbeth

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Is it ironic that Macbeth uses deceptive appearances asa strategy to kill Duncan, yet is continuously deceived by the witches’ use of deceptive appearances? Or is this karma? In Shakespeare's Macbeth, a selfish nobleman becomes overconfident and commits murders to stay in power. Due to the murders Macbeth grows guilty and deceives others that he is innocent. In Macbeth, it is ironic that Macbeth uses deceptive appearances to deceive others but is also deceived by the witches due to the witches, Lady Macbeth, and himself.

In “Macbeth”, the witches use prophecies and apparitions that ultimately lead Macbeth into his downfall. In the beginning of the play the three witches give Macbeth a prophecy that depicts him as the future King. This view into the future causes the following sequences of events throughout his journey, because “By the strength of their illusion/ [they] Shall draw him onto his confusion”. Their deceptive appearance of guidance rather than evil in the start forms the foundation for what is to come. Following the murders of Duncan and Banquo the witches make an appearance once again and show Macbeth three apparitions of the future including a bloody child, a man holding a tree, and a severed …show more content…

After the first appearance of the witches Lady Macbeth begins to pressure Macbeth to pursue his prophecies for her own fortune. She says that “To alter favour ever is fear” only to show her husband the masculinity he is lacking. Following the murders Macbeth commits, Lady Macbeth becomes filled with guilt and she “looked] like the innocent flower,/But be the serpent” underneath. She continues to change her appearance and attitude in front of the other nobles and servants, however her true identity is shown in her sleep when Shakespeare portrays her to be washing her hands to rid her sins. Despite her efforts to use deceptive appearance she fails and falls deeper into her

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