Appearances and reality Flashcards
How is the theme of appearances and reality shown in the play
They are shown through:
seeing things
sleep and dreams
fake hospitality
How is the theme of appearances and reality shown through seeing things
The play is full of spirits, ghosts, optical illusions and visions. While some of these are conjured up by the Witches, others are as a result of a guilty conscience following acts of wickedness. This is why Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are particularly affected. It is difficult for them to admit to others (or even each other) what is happening - this might mean they would be suspected of madness.
Seeing things quote
Act 2 Scene 1)
Mine eyes are made the fools o’th’other senses, / Or else worth all the rest. I see thee still, / And on thy blade and dudgeon gouts of blood, / Which was not so before. There’s no such thing: / It is the bloody business which informs / Thus to mine eyes.
Seeing things analysis
In one of the most famous scenes in the play, Macbeth sees a vision of a dagger just like the one he is about to use to kill king Duncan. Blood is covering the blade and the dudgeon (handle). Lady Macbeth thinks her hands are covered in blood. Even though Macbeth cannot believe his eyes (‘Mine eyes are made the fools o’th’other senses’) and in reality realises he is having an hallucination (‘There’s no such thing’) he is still fascinated by the dagger’s appearance.
How is appearance and reality shown through sleep and dreams
After the murder of Duncan has taken place, both Macbeth and his wife have trouble sleeping and are tormented by guilty dreams. Lady Macbeth regularly sleepwalks and replays events in her mind as she tries to wipe away the memory of what she has done. Eventually she goes mad and she dies, probably by committing suicide.
Sleep and dreams quote
(Act 5 Scene 1)
LADY MACBETH: The Thane of Fife had a wife. Where is she now? What, will these hands ne’er be clean? No more o’that, my lord, no more o’that. You mar all with this starting. DOCTOR: Go to, go to; You have known what you should not. GENTLEWOMAN: She has spoke what she should not, I am sure of that. Heaven knows what she has known. (Act 5 Scene 1)
Sleep and dreams analysis
The Doctor and one of the ladies-in waiting observe Lady Macbeth as she sleepwalks and goes over events in her mind. She is thinking about the murders of Macduff’s wife and of King Duncan and how Macbeth reacted when he saw Banquo’s ghost. These events all become muddled together in one continuous speech which suggests that Lady Macbeth is losing her reason. The blood on her hands is, of course, not real but in her highly charged emotional state she imagines that it is (‘What, will these hands ne’er be clean?’). Her unconscious words and actions give her away to the people watching.
How is the theme of appearances and reality shown through Hospitality
King Duncan is a guest in the Macbeth’s home when they decide to murder him. Rather than look after him as good hosts should do they send him to his grave. Later in the play the Macbeths host a banquet for the other Thanes. They are not just being generous - their hidden agenda is to get the other nobles to support them.
Hospitality quote
Act 3 Scene 4
MACBETH: You know your own degrees, sit down; at first and last, the hearty welcome. [The LORDS sit] LORDS: Thanks to your majesty. MACBETH: Our self will mingle with society and play the humble host; our hostess keeps her state, but in best time we will require her welcome. LADY MACBETH: Pronounce it for me, sir, to all our friends for my heart speaks, they are welcome.
Hospitality analysis
Macbeth subtly reminds his guests that they all have a particular rank (‘you know your own degrees’) and that he is at the top as King. Cleverly he pretends to ‘play the humble host’ to make them less suspicious of his motives. The Macbeths appear to be putting on a show of solidarity for the Thanes. In fact Macbeth has just ordered the murder of one of them (Banquo) and has refused to tell his wife what he has been doing. Their words are very polite and apparently warm. The word ‘welcome’ appears three times which is almost overdoing it!
