Deception In Macbeth

Choices made in a person’s life are theirs to choose and to own up to. The play, Macbeth by William Shakespeare exemplifies the dangers of allowing others to strongly influence one’s decisions. Many characters within the play use techniques like deceit to get what they want. Characters such as the witches give Macbeth false hope and Lady Macbeth, who uses her ambition to convince Macbeth to submit to their will. Decisions in life are often manipulated by malevolent outside forces.

A major theme in Macbeth is deception, many characters exemplify this trait as a means to achieve their desires. Hecate is one of them, she is the goddess of magic and queen if the witches. She all but condones their actions towards Macbeth. “And I the

The idea of manipulating one’s spirit into having a sense of uncharacteristic desire. At the start of the play Macbeth was a morally upstanding character, nable and just, one who felt undeserving of the titles brought to him. By giving Macbeth the prophecies, the witches deceive him in bringing about his own downfall. “You greet with present grace and great prediction/
Of noble having and of royal hope, That he seems rapt withal.” (1.3.52-55). Banquo comments on how fixated Macbeth becomes with the prophecies. How Macbeth immediately becomes enthralled with the prospect of power and royalty. Banquo’s child, Fleance arises similar feelings of false hope within Macbeth as well. “Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none.” (1.3.65). Murders are sent after Banquo and Fleance when Macbeth begins to grow paranoid that Fleance will take his throne. By ordering the deaths of innocents, Macbeth gives him the false hope that his power and reign will go unquestioned. Macbeth’s reign is not one of indisputable power, but one of paranoia and the belief that he is indestructible. Allowing illusion and ambition to cloud his judgement, all of Macbeth’s choices lead to his