Misleading Appearances in Macbeth
Misleading Appearances in Macbeth
Many people rely on appearance to make a judgment. Never judge a book by its cover. Judging a book by its cover will lead to disappointment. In the play, Macbeth, there are many victims to appearance. Duncan believed his nobles are loyal but in reality, they were scheming against him, Malcolm had made himself appear like a bad person to Macduff, but in reality he is the opposite, a good trusting man, and the last victim to judgment is Macbeth, who trusted the witches but they tricked him, in the end.
During the Middles Ages, many kings gave their complete trust to nobles who protected areas of land. Complete trust that meant the nobles could do what ever they wanted to do in their district. The nobles held parties and dinners for other nobles to attend. King Duncan had trusted all his nobles who fought in the battles against Sweno, King of Norway. Macbeth and Banquo fought hard and well against Sweno and came out victorious. Duncan rejoiced as he heard the news about the victory and the excellent fighting of Macbeth, but a messenger had told him that one of his Thanes had become a traitor.
Doubtful it stood;/ As two spend swimmers, that do cling together/ And choke their art. The Merciless Macdonwald---/ Worthy to be a rebel, for to that/ The multiplying villainies of nature/ Do swarm upon him---/ from the western isles/ Of kerns and gallowglasses is supplied;/ And fortune, on his damned quarrel smiling,/ Show`d like a rebel’s whore: but all’s too weak;/ For brave Macbeth--- well he deserves that name---/ Disdaining fortune, with his brandish`d steel,/ Which smoked with bloody execution,/ Like valour’s minion carved out his passage/ Till he faced the slave;/ Which ne’er shook hands, nor bade farewell to him,/ Till he unseam’d him from nave to the chaps,/ And fix`d his head upon out battlements. (I.ii.9-25)
Macdonwald, the Thane of Cawdor, was the traitor who fought for the King of Norway. The Thane was executed for his actions against the king. Duncan had full trust in Macdonwald. He was too naive to tell that the Thane had become traitor until Macdonwald showed his true colours. Duncan, happy with the victory had an open...