Reality and appearances Flashcards
What does Macbeth and his wife show to everyone else?
The outward appearance of the Macbeth as trustworthy and innocent enables them to get away with their plot to murder Duncan and ascend the throne.Loyalty and trust are juxtaposed by the ultimate betrayal.
How are the characters manipulated?
The ways in which reality and appearance can be manipulated and altered is facilitated by shakespear’s use of the supernatural.From witches and spells to hallucinations of knives the chaotic atmosphere and mental instability of the main characters is central to the play
analyse “fair is foul and foul is fair”
paradox
the conjunction and shows both good and bad can exist at the same time
even the weather is reflective of this as Macbeth declares “so foul and fair a day i have not seen”
What does shakespear want his audience to understand
shakespear warns his audience that no one and nothing can be trusted .In a wider sense he suggest there are no certainties when it comes to morality.
Are the witches cruel?
despite the grotesque outer appearance of the witches they aren’t overtly violent or cruel as they don’t tell Macbeth directly to kill Duncan infact it is the chaos and confusion they create that is so frightening.
How does Lady Macbeth show reality vs appearance?
initially,it is likely that her outward appearance would mean the audience would assume her to be weak and therefore superfluous of the story line.
However,as the play progresses we see the inner workings of her mind and realise internally she is stereotypically masculine
What quotes shows LB is aware of outward appearance?
she is the one who teaches Macbeth on how to act a certain way in front of others.
her use of physical features “eye” and “hand” emphaise the importance of outward appearance.The verb “look” shows how he doesn’t need to be “like the flower” only imitate it
What does the juxtaposition i “look like the innocent flower but be the serpent under’t” suggest
Juxtaposition of “flower” connotes femininity with “serpent” which connotes masculinity and trickery shows how there can be a dangerous divide between a persons outward appearance and inward nature
How is Macbeth seen compared to his intentions?
Macbeth benefits greatly from the conflict between appearance and reality managing to be viewed as an honourable warrior and king despite the awful deeds he has committed. He is a symbol for deception and facade but also for the way people lose sight of themselves when they are to bust deceiving others
What quote is used my Macbeth to show outward appearance?
Macbeth too sees appearance as something that can be managed to meet his intensions. He tells LB “false face must hide what the false heart doth know”
Analyse false face must hide what the false heart doth know”
the rhyming couplets suggest he find contentment in this plan
shakespear implies deception is a form of playing God.
The juxtaposition between “false face” and “false heart” highlights the divide between someones outwards look and true nature
How is Macbeth overcome by reality?
he suffers from exploitation of appearances as he starts to be unable to tell what is reality as he has hallucination of a daggers and start to see Banquo Ghost.The evil corrupt part of himself he tries to repress and “disguise” start to express themselves suggesting your tru nature can never be changed no matter how much you alter your appearance
the biggest conflict a a result of appearance vs reality is within Macbeth head
How does the weather change?
For the most part Scotland seems to be controlled and organised.We see that Duncan is a thoughtful king who is good at maintaining order and honouring the hierarchy. This all changes once Macbeth becomes king.The sky is permanently dark more and more people die and horse try too eat each other
