Monday, November 19, 2012

In Macbeth, what is a good quotation that relates to the idea of appearance vs. reality?

The appearance vs. reality motif in the drama is expressed
in these words of Lady Macbeth in Act I as she speaks to Macbeth about King Duncan's
imminent arrival at Inverness, their castle. Because their ambition has been awakened by
the prophecies of the witches, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth now entertain murderous thoughts
about Duncan, thoughts of killing him so that Macbeth can assume the throne. They
clearly do not want their thoughts known as they prepare to greet the King. Lady Macbeth
cautions Macbeth about his appearance and instructs him as to his
behavior:


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Your face, my Thane, is as a book where
men


May read strange matters. To beguile the
time,


Look like the time; bear welcome in your
eye,


Your hand, your tongue: look like th' innocent
flower,


But be the serpent under
't.



Lady Macbeth is telling
Macbeth that he must mask his real feelings about Duncan and appear to be the gracious,
welcoming host. To deceive Duncan and his party, Macbeth must look like an "innocent
flower," while he is really a serpent (poisonous snake) lying under it. In this way,
false appearance will hide reality.

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