Appearances and reality
Background
Things are never quite what they seem - Characters say one thing yet mean somethings else and use euphemisms to hide reality
Wicked and violent acts are covered up or the blame is shifted onto others
The Witches mislead Macbeth
Ghosts, visions and apparitions occur regularly
All of these things contribute to the many contrasts - almost nothings is as it should be
How is this shown?
Shakespeare examines how appearances can be deceptive and that the reality behind them is often unpleasant
Seeing things
Sleep and dreams
Fake hospitality
Seeing things
How does Shakespeare show this?
Lots of spirits, ghosts, optical illusions and visions
Some due to guilty conscience
Macbeth and LM are particularly affected
Evidence
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. (Act 2 Scene 1)
Analysis
Macbeth sees a vision of a dagger
Blood covers the blade and the handle (dudgeon)
Even though Macbeth cannot believe his eyes and he realises that he his having an hallucination, he is still fascinated by the dagger's appearance
Sleep and dreams
How does Shakespeare show this?
After the murder of Duncan, Macbeth and his wife has sleeping issues
LM sleepwalks and replays the events in her mind. Eventually she goes mad and dies - suicide
Evidence
LM: 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)
Analysis
The Doctor and a lady sees LM sleepwalking. She is thinking about the murders of Macudff's wife and of King Duncan and Banquo's ghost. The events become muddled together in a speech
Suggests that LM is losing her mind
She imagines that she has blood on her hands
Hospitality
How does Shakespeare show this?
King Duncan is a guest in the Macbeth's home when they decide to murder him
They send him to the grave rather than look after him as good hosts should
Later, they host a banquet for the other Thanes - they are not being generous, they want their support
Evidence
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
Analysis
Macbeth subtly reminds his guests that they have a rank
He pretends to 'play the humble host' to make them less suspicious of his motives
Their words are very polite and apparently warm. The word 'welcome' appears three times which is almost overdoing it