The White Lie In Stephanie Ericsson's The Ways We Lie

The play Macbeth was written by Shakespeare in 1606 and is about the bloody crusade a man goes on to become as powerful as possible. Macbeth makes his way to the top by deceiving people that trust him and telling lies to anyone and everyone. There are many different types of lies, and he utilizes all of them for his own personal gain. However, it is not only Macbeth who lies throughout this play, but a multitude of other characters as well. When someone lies, they not only hurt the people around them but they also alter how the events in their future will happen. Lady Macbeth, wife of Macbeth, is a character who lies in many different situations for her own benefit. One type of lie she utilizes is the white lie, Stephanie Ericsson author of The Ways We Lie, describes the white lie by saying, “…white lie assumes that the truth will cause more damage than a simple, harmless untruth” (Ericsson 409). In act three, Macbeth orders the murder of one of his best friends,

Groupthink is “… a psychological phenomenon within decision-making groups in which loyalty to the group has become more important than any other value…” (413).Throughout this play, her loyalty to her husband it tested by the many immoral things he does. Her devotion is shown when she is found to be sleepwalking by her doctor and gentlewoman. She has stayed silent about the things Macbeth has done, and not told anyone of his awful deeds. Lady Macbeth is constantly lying to everyone around her by keeping her husband’s secrets. While sleepwalking, she talks about Macbeth’s crimes because she would not dare tell anybody if she were awake. “The Thane of Fife had a wife. Where is/ she now? What, will these hands ne’er be clean? No/ more o’ that, my lord, no more o’ that. You mar all/ with this starting” (V, i, 44-47). It is evident throughout this scene how much recent events have been eating away her