Examples Of Deception In Macbeth
How does a person get away with a crime or a lie? The answer is a simple one: deception. Deception is the act of misleading by a false appearance or statement. People who choose to put on this mask of treachery have to be very skilled at hiding their feelings. The idea is to show a face devoid of guilt or shame. Many movies, books, and plays that involve crime or misleading contain the theme of deception. While reading a book, for example, the main character may present himself as innocent to other characters, but the reader gets to know what is truly going on in their mind. In Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, deception is clearly displayed when the Thane of Cawdor commits treason, when Macbeth and his wife decide to murder the King, and when
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One prime example of Lady Macbeth’s deception is when she says, “Look like the time; bear welcome in your eye,/Your hand, your tongue: look like th’ innocent flower,/But be the serpent under ‘t.” (Act I, Scene v, lines 64-66). She is informing Macbeth that he shows his emotions too readily on his face, so he needs to hide them well when Duncan arrives. The lady goes on to say, “To alter favor ever is to fear.” (Act I, Scene v, line 72). This phrase means that if her husband shows a disturbed face, it will arise suspicion. Therefore, both of the criminals have to be careful of what emotions they show on their faces. After the murder of Duncan, Macbeth again portrays the theme of deception by pretending not to know what had happened. Obviously, Lady Macbeth and Macbeth himself have to show a lot of falsehood in the play because of their …show more content…
After hearing of their father’s slaughter, the two fear that their lives may be in grave danger. While trying to make a plan for their departure, Donalbain says to Malcolm, “There’s daggers in men’s smiles; the near in blood,/The nearer bloody.” (Act II, Scene iii, lines 141-142). Donalbain is aware that there is deception and misconduct among them, and he says that they will be next to die because they are so closely related to Duncan. This young man is the only person aware of the immorality that is present who isn’t actually committing the crimes. For this reason, it can be said that Donalbain is one of the more intelligent characters in this
One prime example of Lady Macbeth’s deception is when she says, “Look like the time; bear welcome in your eye,/Your hand, your tongue: look like th’ innocent flower,/But be the serpent under ‘t.” (Act I, Scene v, lines 64-66). She is informing Macbeth that he shows his emotions too readily on his face, so he needs to hide them well when Duncan arrives. The lady goes on to say, “To alter favor ever is to fear.” (Act I, Scene v, line 72). This phrase means that if her husband shows a disturbed face, it will arise suspicion. Therefore, both of the criminals have to be careful of what emotions they show on their faces. After the murder of Duncan, Macbeth again portrays the theme of deception by pretending not to know what had happened. Obviously, Lady Macbeth and Macbeth himself have to show a lot of falsehood in the play because of their …show more content…
After hearing of their father’s slaughter, the two fear that their lives may be in grave danger. While trying to make a plan for their departure, Donalbain says to Malcolm, “There’s daggers in men’s smiles; the near in blood,/The nearer bloody.” (Act II, Scene iii, lines 141-142). Donalbain is aware that there is deception and misconduct among them, and he says that they will be next to die because they are so closely related to Duncan. This young man is the only person aware of the immorality that is present who isn’t actually committing the crimes. For this reason, it can be said that Donalbain is one of the more intelligent characters in this