Mary Ntalianis and Beth Allday

DECEPTION IN MACBETH

INTRODUCTIONThroughout Macbeth things are not always as they seem. Deception is always present, with Macbeth, Lady Macbeth and the three witches.

From the very first scene, the deception within Macbeth’s world is clearly defined.

THE IMPORTANCE OF MACBETH

It is important to study some classics, such as Shakespeare as his plays use themes that still apply in our world these days. Themes like deception, ambition, betrayal and greed are still present for us. We can relate to them and relate world issues to lessons learnt in Shakespeare’s plays. All these themes are present in Macbeth.

DEFINITION

“Measures designed to mislead the enemy by manipulation, distortion, or falsification of evidence to induce the enemy to react in a manner opposite to the enemy's interests.” - Deception

THE WITCHES

The Three Weird Sisters set up the theme of deception with their opening lines “fair is foul, and foul is fair”. These lines hint to the reader that people and events in the play will not be as they appear, probably to teach him a lesson to not be blinded by ambition. By doing this the witches deceived Macbeth.

MACBETH

Macbeth was supposed to be a loyal subject to the king. However, he betrayed this loyalty by murdering him. Macbeth himself said, initially, "as his host, who should against his murder shut the door, not bear the knife myself". However, he deceived his ruler and assassinated him.

Macbeth also deceived his best friend Banquo by killing him. He would not let friendship stand in the way of his throne.

LADY MACBETHLady Macbeth tells Macbeth to “look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under't”.

By this she means to say that they will act as perfect hosts for when King Duncan comes to stay with them. But behind his back they will be planning to murder him.

BANQUO

Banquo tries to be the voice of reason and portrays feelings of doubt by telling Macbeth ‘That, trusted home, might yet enkindle you unto the crown, besides the Thane of Cawdor. But tis’ strange, and oftentimes to win us to our harm the instruments of darkness tell us truths, win us with honest trifles, to betray in deepest consequence”

By saying this Banquo is warning Macbeth that even though the witches have given him one piece of honest information they may use his trust in them to deceive him in the future and cause him harm.

LANGUAGE TECHNIQUES

Some literary devices that Shakespeare uses to make Macbeth more interesting and effective are:

- Irony

- similes/metaphors

- imagery

IRONY

An example of irony in Macbeth is that he is supposed to be a “great king” but it’s really his wife that’s calling the shots

Macbeth also tells Duncan “and our duties are to your throne and state, children and servants, which do but what they should, by doing every thing safe toward your love and honour”

This is not only deceptive, but ironical because of King Duncan’s high opinion of Macbeth and Macbeths promise to keep him safe because later in the play, Macbeth kills Duncan for his throne.

SYMBOLISM/IMAGERYAn example of imagery in Macbeth is the imagery of clothing. Macbeth is constantly represented as the wearer of clothes not belonging to him “New honors come upon him, like strange garments, cleave not to their mould, but with the aid of use”

An example of symbolism are the use of darkness, he says “Come, thick night, and pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell” calling on night, which represents all things ‘dark’ and evil, to help him go through with the murder.

Blood is also another example of symbolism used in Macbeth, it represent his guilt that wont go away. After murdering Duncan, he says “Out, damned spot! Out, I say!” as he cant seem to get rid of the blood…or the guilt

SIMILES AND METAPHORS

"Doubtful it stood, as two spent swimmers, that do cling together”The Sergeant compares two sides of the battle to two tired swimmers who cling to each other and drown as a result.

"And pity, like a naked new-born babe."Shakespeare is comparing pity to the helplessness of a new-born infant.

"Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more. It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing."Macbeth compares life to a useless actor

UNIVERSAL IDEA

The universal idea of deception, shown in Macbeth, is simply not to deceive one another.

Also to watch out for deception, as it is shown by the three weird sisters that your dreams, ambitions and what you want to believe can be used against you to deceive you

CONCLUSION

Self deception is a human weakness. No matter what someone may say, it is hard to change someone's’ opinion if that is what they truly believe. This is shown in William Shakespeare’s play, Macbeth, through the actions of various characters. Shakespeare clearly shows the idea of self-deception through their actions and how this self-deception leads to moral disorder, and tragedy.