Macbeth - appearance vs reality

Question 1

“Look like the innocent flower, / But be the serpent under’t.” (Lady Macbeth

Answer 1

Lady Macbeth teaches Macbeth to deceive by hiding evil beneath a false exterior.

Question 2

“False face must hide what the false heart doth know.” (Macbeth

Answer 2

Macbeth acknowledges he must mask his murderous intentions with a pleasant façade.

Question 3

“There’s no art / To find the mind’s construction in the face.” (Duncan

Answer 3

Duncan naively believes appearance reflects reality — a mistake that leads to his downfall.

Question 4

“Fair is foul, and foul is fair.” (Witches

Answer 4

The line immediately signals that appearances will be deceptive throughout the play.

Question 5

“Come, thick night, / And pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell.” (Lady Macbeth

Answer 5

Lady Macbeth calls for darkness to conceal her evil deeds, blending appearance with hidden reality.

Question 6

“Make our faces vizards to our hearts.” (Macbeth

Answer 6

Macbeth advises deceit, suggesting their outward expressions must disguise their true emotions.

Question 7

“False face must hide what the false heart doth know.” (Macbeth

Answer 7

Macbeth’s admission again that his external appearance must mislead others.

Question 8

“There’s daggers in men’s smiles.” (Donalbain

Question 9

“The night has been unruly.” (Ross

Answer 9

Donalbain understands that even friendly faces can conceal deadly intentions.

Question 10

“Let not light see my black and deep desires.” (Macbeth