Illusion And Reality In Macbeth

Illusion vs Reality In Macbeth

Throughout Shakespeare’s gruesome play Macbeth, not only the main characters, but other characters have a lack of ability to differentiate between the illusions of their mind as well as the reality around them. This mental abnormality is made very prominent in the title character Macbeth, who suffers from paranoia on top of the fact he is hindered mentally by his own ambition. This suffering becomes even more apparent as the play progresses, consequently, Macbeth takes more action solely based on his instinct. Macbeth’s deteriorating mental state causes him to see and hear things that are not there, increasing his anxiety, therefore, distancing his contact with reality. This lack of contact ultimately drives

Ambition to stay atop the throne is what drives Macbeth to do the things he does. For instance, Macbeth plans to hire assassins to kill his best friend Banquo in addition to his son Fleance. The reasoning for this double murder is that at the same time Macbeth got his prophecy, Banquo got one as well, saying his sons will be kings. Knowing this, Macbeth wants to do anything he can to prevent it. In Act 3 scene 3 Macbeth hires murderers to kill Banquo as well as his son. When delivering the orders to kill Macbeth says “...always thought That I require a clearness. And with him— To leave no rubs nor botches in the work— Fleance, his son, that keeps him company, Whose absence is no less material to me Than is his father’s, must embrace the fate Of that dark hour.” (3.1.151-157) The murderers understand that Macbeth has no regards to killing his best friend, as well as a child. When going to attack later in scene 3, Fleance escapes, leaving only Banquo dead. As one of the murderers informs Macbeth on the news of the murder, he becomes infuriated with the fact Fleance is still alive. This occurs in Act 3 Scene 4, in the middle of a celebratory dinner, in congratulations to Macbeth assuming the throne. During this large banquet, Macbeth sees the ghost of Banquo and makes a scene. The audience is first introduced to Banquo’s ghost during this

The struggle to differentiate what is real and what isn't has a strong presence throughout the play, and drives home Macbeth’s mental struggles, and how they are worsening over time. The drastic contrast between illusion and reality, and how Macbeth is starting to have a harder time distinguishing between the two is fascinating and makes Macbeth’s story more unique. The play could have just been about a murder, and a power-hungry king, but he added another layer to the story, with the psychosis, paranoia, and anxiety that Macbeth is gaining over time. It also shows the impacts of Macbeth’s decisions on other characters’ mental state, which is an important aspect to include. The story of Macbeth is a complex tale about the consequences of one’s actions on themselves and others around them, and how said actions can take a toll on the different