"Deception and intrigue lies at the heart of the characters" actions and motivations in Macbeth." Discuss the importance among the play's themes of the frequent contrast between reality and appearances.
In Shakespeare's Macbeth, the characters motivations throughout the play were based mainly around dishonesty and conspiracy, from the witches" prophecies to the murder of Duncan. The anger and rage of the characters deceived by Macbeth was also built around the treachery of Duncan's murder, and the false appearances portrayed by Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.
The witches were the ultimate perpetrators of deception in Macbeth. They told Macbeth prophecies that brought about intrigue, which Macbeth was unable to resist.
"All hail Macbeth, that shall be king hereafter." .
Macbeth, who started out as an honorable kinsman, was soon turned into a deceitful man as a result of the witches" influences. The witches" trickery did not stop there. The second time the witches meet with Macbeth they told him "none of woman born should harm Macbeth." Also, "Macbeth shall never vanquish"d be until Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill, Shall come against him.".
Though these prophecies were not untrue, they appeared to be telling Macbeth he was unconquerable, when in fact it was a deception of the witches, as they knew the reality of these ambiguous statements. The reality and the appearance of the prophecies were contrary to one another, and Macbeth only understood the apparent meaning of the prophecies, which in the end led to his demise. The reality of the prophecies were warnings of what was to come, but the evident meanings of the prophecies were that he was unbeatable and he need not worry about his safety, which eventually proved to be untrue.
The contrast between the appearance and reality of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth was made very obvious in their plotting and carrying out of Duncan's murder. Lady Macbeth appeared as though killing Duncan was the best outcome for the both of them.