Appearance Vs Reality Flashcards
(1 cards)
Analyse quote “look like the innocent flower but be the serpent under’t”
This idea is echoed by Duncan’s earlier line, “There’s no art to find the mind’s construction in the face” (Act 1, Scene 4), where he reflects on the treachery of the former Thane of Cawdor. Ironically, he fails to recognize that Macbeth—whom he now trusts—is following the same path of betrayal. Shakespeare thus presents a world in which outward appearances are unreliable, and those who seem most loyal are often the most dangerous. The serpent is an allusion to the Biblical story of Adam and Eve, where the snake in the Garden of Eden tempts Eve to commit sin. This reference casts Macbeth as a figure of temptation and corruption, mirroring Satan’s deceptive and manipulative nature. The choice of a serpent also links Macbeth’s ambition to the concept of original sin, reinforcing the idea that his desire for power is unnatural and damning. By aligning Macbeth with the symbol of the Devil, Shakespeare portrays his murderous ambition as not just politically dangerous, but spiritually catastrophic.
