Macbeth Essay

Appearance versus reality is a major theme in Shakespeare’s Macbeth. The opening scene of the play reveals this theme when the three witches proclaim the statement “fair is foul, and foul is fair.” This statement foreshadows many of the events in the play. Lady Macbeth and Macbeth are forced to use this tactic after killing the king. When Macbeth learns that Malcolm, not him will be appointed king, Macbeth demonstrates appearance versus reality. Lady Macbeth also uses appearance versus reality when she welcomes Duncan and his men at Inverness.
When Macbeth and Banquo meet the three weird sisters, they hail Macbeth as the Thane of Glamis. They also tell him that he will be king. When Macbeth and Banquo arrive at Duncan’s castle, Duncan appoints him the Thane of Glamis. After hearing this news, Macbeth starts to think about what the three witches were saying about him being the king. Moments later Duncan announces that his son Malcolm will be the heir to the throne...