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Macbeth Questions and Answers

by William Shakespeare

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Discuss the theme of appearance and reality in Shakespeare's play, Macbeth.

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In Shakespeare's Macbeth, appearance vs reality is a theme that is seen throughout the play.

Macbeth is respected by everyone, but Macbeth only seems HONORABLE; at heart he is a man who will do anything to be king. He hides his intent from Duncan with FINE words, while he is planning his murder. Macbeth says:

False face must hide what the false heart doth know. (I.vii.93)

Appearance vs reality is also seen in the beginning of the play when the witches INTRODUCE the quotation, "fair is foul, and foul is fair," or what seems good is really bad—Macbeth; and what seems bad is really good—Malcolm flees Scotland when his father dies and looks guilty, but he is only trying to protect himself.