Appearance vs Reality

• Key Ideas

  • The contrast between appearance and reality illuminates the discrepancy (lack of compatibility) between an individuals external presentation, encompassing both physical appearance and behaviour
  • Duplicity empowers certain characters to conceal their true intentions and manipulate others, all in the pursuit of satisfying their self-centred and selfish desires
• Shakespeare's Intentions

  • Shakespeare highlights that the use of deception may yield immediate advantages, allowing one to manipulate reality in their favour. Yet, he demonstrates that the fleeting success of such deceitful tactics ultimately accelerates one's downfall and precipitates a rapid descent into madness
• "Stars hide your fires, let no light see my black and deep desires" Act 4

  • Dark and light imagery: contrast between the ominous connotations associated with 'black' and the bright imagery linked to 'light' highlights Macbeth's dichotomous character
  • Macbeth wants to shroud his sinister motives in metaphorical darkness, as if his true intentions come to 'light' this would obstruct him from acquiring his illegitimate title of king
  • rhyming couplet: 'desires and 'fires' has a resemblance to the enchanting spellcasting technique employed by the witches who use rhyming couplets
  • This emphasises Ms descent into a shadowy and malevolent trajectory
• "look like the innocent flower but be the serpent under't" Act 1

  • biblical allusion: LM employs the term 'serpent' drawing parallels to the Genesis narrative depicting the fall of mankind. This deliberate choice of diction serves to underscore her belief in the effectiveness of deception, akin to the serpent's manipulation of Adam and Eve
  • Lady Macbeth adeptly highlights the effectiveness of deception when cloaked in an 'innocent' flower-like facade, emphasising the ease at which such deceit can be orchestrated, especially when temptation and pride are at play
• "Dash'd the brains out" Act 1

  • plosive on "dash'd" creates a brutal sound, mirroring her brutal rejection of motherly instincts. Her tendency for violence takes precedence over motherhood, leading to her unapologetic willingness to extinguish human life in the relentless pursuit of unchecked violent ambition
  • Juxtaposition of forceful verb "dash'd" and delicate nature of "brains" serves as a poignant symbol reflecting LMs character. Despite her seemingly fragile exterior, she harbours a strong desire to instigate violence and chaos
• "Fair is foul and foul is fair" Act 1

  • speak in paradoxes: introduces a moral ambiguity(not clear), whilst heightening the potent sense of contradiction and disorientation that is established from the offset
  • foreshadows the impending chaes in the play, suggesting that the Witches deceitful nature and captivating prophecies will ultimately leave Macbeth bewildered and disorientated
  • Trochaic tetrameter: gives their speech an eerie songlike quality. Compounds their duplicitousness as even their speech transcends the earthly realm