Appearance Vs Reality

1. 

[Lady Macbeth] “Your face, my thane, is as a book where men

May read strange matters. To beguile the time, 

Look like the time” (1.5.53-55)

Lady Macbeth says that Macbeth is an open book. She says that he needs to act like people expect him to act. Macbeth needs to deceive people that he is not guilty of murdering Duncan. Deception plays a massive roll in the play, as Macbeth needs to deceive everyone continuously. Yet it is known that during the middle of the play, most of the characters realise that Macbeth is not who he seems. 

[Duncan] “What bloody man is that? He can report, 

As seemeth by his plight, of the revolt

The newest state” (1.2.1-3) 

Duncan says that a man’s appearance should relate to what he’s been through and his level of knowledge. He assumes that because a man is covered in blood, that he will know how the battle is going. Duncan is decieved by Macbeth's appearance. Although he may look 'brave' and 'trustworthy', he is far from it. 

2. Not all characters are tricked by deception; not all characters believe appearance over reality. Which characters don’t and what do they do? What happens to these characters?

King Duncan's sons, Malcolm and Donalbain are not tricked by Macbeth and Lady Macbeth 's deception. They realise that something suspicious is occurring when their father dies, which is why they flea Scotland. Malcolm and Donalbain also do not 'hail' over King Macbeth, as they realise that in reality he is not who he seems to be. Once they flea Scotland, they assemble a force to battle Macbeth and his army. Malcolm ends up becoming the new King of Scotland when he defeats Macbeth.