Appearance vs reality

Question 1

Look like the innocent flower but be the serpent under’t

Answer 1

Macbeth should appear innocent and welcoming.
hide his intention to kill Duncan behind a façade.
Deception is key to achieving their ambition.
metaphor - Macbeth and serpent= deadly intention, innocence and evil
Flower - harmless, soft beautiful natural
Shakespeare uses this to show how dangerous unchecked ambition can be

Question 2

what are the 8 quotes

Answer 2

Look like the innocent flower but be the serpent under’t
Fair is foul foul is fair
There’s daggers in men’s smiles
There is no art to find the mind’s construction in the face
Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player
False face must hide what false heart doth know

Question 3

Fair is foul fouls is fair

Answer 3

Witches believe that what seems good is actually bad and what seems bad is actually good.
Introduces the idea that appearances are deceptive - setting the tone for the rest of the play
Macbeth and lady Macbeth both appear innocent but hide their malicious intent behind it. Both characters rely on the spirits highlighting their deceptive nature. The use of alliteration emphasizes the relationship between good and evil, making the phrase memorable.
The phrase creates a sense of mystery and unease, intriguing the reader.
Shakespeare uses this to establish the theme of deception.

Question 4

There is no art to find the mind’s construction in the face

Answer 4

Duncan reflects on how he trusted the former thane of Cawdor. You cannot read a person’s true thoughts or intentions just by looking at their face.
Appearances can be deceiving and outward expressions don’t always reveal what’s inside.
Reflecting his own naivety and blindness to the deceptive nature of those around him.
Metaphor- art (skill)= there is no method that can reveal a person’s thoughts simply by looking at their face.
Irony = Duncan who says this is unknowingly blind to Macbeth’s true intentions.
Minds construction - the mind is complex and layered making it difficult to be understood and interpreted.

Question 5

There’s daggers in men’s smiles .

Answer 5

Even though people are friendly, they may be hiding harmful intentions. People may look innocent and friendly on the outside(smiles) but inside, they are dangerous(daggers)
metaphor - smiles - false friendliness
strong imagery to create a sense of danger and tension
juxtaposition = contrast between the pleasant welcoming nature of a smile contrasting the deceitful and dangerous nature of daggers
Creates suspense as the audience begins to wonder who can be trusted.
Shakespeare uses this to show how people can mask their true intentions

Question 6

Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player

Answer 6

Reflects on the pointless and fleeting nature of life.
Life is full of illusions.
Life seems meaningful and important whiles we live but in reality, its just an illusion like a shadow.
Metaphor - life is intangible
Metaphor - a bad actor that is forgettable - movement but no direction - scripted role
Personification - emphasizes the unfulfillment he feels
Sympathy for Macbeth
Shakespeare uses this to explore existing questions , what is the point of life

Question 7

False face must hide what false heart doth know

Answer 7

Macbeth is planning on adopting a false outward appearance to conceal the guilt and sinister knowledge of his own heart.
Linking the face with deception and the heart with knowledge
Transition from hesitation to determination.
Alliteration - emphasizes the theme and the nature of Macbeths thoughts .
Metaphor - emphasizes the duplicity Macbeth needs to pull this of.
Repetition = underscores the deceit in Macbeth’s actions and the moral corruption taking root within him .
Foreshadows Macbeth’s future actions
Shakespeare uses this to explore the complexities of human nature.