Language of Deception in Shakespeare's Macbeth

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The play Macbeth, written by Shakespeare, is a tragedy based on past kings with the names of Macbeth, the King of Scotland, Macduff, and Duncan. This story recreates the history of these kings but is not accurate to the actual kingships. Throughout the story characters such as Macbeth and Banquo encounter witches who foresee their future and tell them prophecies that help shape the play. These witches use language to deceive and manipulate the other characters into believing what is not actually true. Throughout Macbeth, characters manipulate and deceive others, not through overt lies, but with the strategic revelation of truth. When Macbeth and Banquo first meet the witches, the witches tell them of their prophecies. They tell Macbeth that

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