Appearances

Appearances can often be deceiving, even though it is easier to believe something visible or tangible, outward and obvious appearances should be analyzed and interpreted for greater meaning. Political philosopher, Niccolo Machiavelli once explained that, “The great majority of mankind are satisfied with the appearance, as though they were realities and are often more influenced by the things that seem by those that are.” With this statement Machiavelli explains that people find it easier to take things as they seem, yet things as they seem are not reality– deceiving people of the true reality of the lives in which they are living.

http://www.tcnj.edu/~rhet/mink2.html

In Shakespeare's Macbeth, many themes ad motifs are repeated throughout the entire play. The most important theme is appearance versus reality. Throughout Macbeth, things that appear to be good are, in fact,

bad. Macbeth appears to be kind and honorable, but he is actually a ruthless murderer. Lady Macbeth appears to be strong and ruthless, when, in fact, she becomes very remorseful. Other important parts of the play that emphasize the theme are when the witches give Macbeth his two sets of prophecies which seem good and clear cut, but are really paradoxes. The best way to fully understand the importance of appearance versus reality is to carefully look at the development of Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, and the witches' prophecies. In the beginning of the play, Macbeth is portrayed as a brave captain that serves his king with great honor. After Macbeth hears the prophecies from the witches, a change in his thought process is noticed immediately. His ambition is noticed, but it does not drive him to murder early in the play. One important thing that Macbeth states is that "I have no spur/ to prick… The other important things that illustrated appearance versus reality were the witches' prophecies. They all seemed to be true and good, but were really harmful to Macbeth and most of the people that he...