MACBETH ESSAY Samples
SAC Sample
Prompt: ‘Look like the innocent flower, But be the serpent under’t’ How
does the play demonstrate that appearances can be deceptive?
Planning
Appearances are not reality – things are not as they seem. Appearances
can be contorted based on personal feelings and beliefs. Things can
appear to be food from afar but up close is really bad.
Body #1:
Appearances can be deceptive (appearance vs reality)
- Macbeth and Lady Macbeth appear to be “noble” and “brave”
“valiant” “honoured” but their true intentions are “black and deep
desires” “vaulting ambition” and “topfull of the direst cruelty”
Body #2:
The appearance of things can be distorted based on bias
- Deception will be ignored because humans want what is good for
them
o Macbeth “rapt” by prophecy and consumed by it, doesn’t
doubt the witches
o Banquo – sees them as “instruments of darkness” “betrays in
deepest consequence”
Body #3:
Titles and positions appear wealthy and rich but securing them and having
joy is uncommon
- Thane of Cawdor “chapp’d” “traitor” a cursed title
- The title of king cost so many lives
o Duncan “clear in office” was betrayed
o Banquo – “father to a line of kings” was murdered
o Macbeth – fights to secure his position but ends up friendless
and alone a “tyrant”
Marks: 29/30 97%
William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, 1623, is a play about the tragic demise of
the protagonist Macbeth, caused by his greed and ambition. Throughout
, the play, Shakespeare highlights how appearances can be deceptive
through the characters and how they are portrayed, as well as their
actions and beliefs. The fine line between appearance and reality is
demonstrated through Macbeth who is praised as “noble” and “brave” but
in reality, is a “tyrant.” Along with Lady Macbeth who appears to be
“honoured” but is a “fiend.” The playwright also shows that appearances
change based on personal beliefs and deception is ignored when
individuals are blinded by ambition. This can be seen in the varied
responses to the prophecy by Macbeth and Banquo. Furthermore, the play
also highlights how titles and positions appear grand, but the cost is
greater than the power.
Shakespeare reveals the difference between appearance and reality
through the protagonists, who hide their true intentions to deceive others.
Initially, Macbeth is a “valiant” soldier loyal to his king and country. He is
praised as “noble” and “worthy” but when ambition takes hold his true
intentions are revealed. Macbeth is so blinded by the possibility of being
king and overcome by greed that he decides to give in to his “vaulting
ambition.” Upon discovering what his future could be, Macbeth
immediately begins planning his rule and waits for “chance to crown [him]
without [his] stir.” However, when Malcolm is crowned Prince of
Cumberland he decides to give in to his “black and deep desires” without
reconsideration. This hasty transformation highlights that, although
Macbeth appeared to be a hero, he was always greedy and power hungry.
Similarly, Lady Macbeth is viewed as “honoured” but she wishes to be
“topfull of the direst cruelty.” Despite how she appears to be wanting
success for her husband, all she really wants is the power for herself. In
Jacobean times women had little to no power in society, causing Lady
Macbeth to want to be “unsex[ed].” The only path for her to achieve her
goals is by “pour[ing] [her] spirits” in Macbeth’s ear and persuading him
to force fate. She deceives him to think that “a little water will cleanse
[them] of [their] deed” and that the guilt will not haunt them. While
Macbeth believes that she is supporting him, she in reality is fulfilling her
desires. Macbeth hides his intentions and “look[s] like th’innocent flower”
to host Duncan and then plot his murder despite being his “kinsman.” This
shows that appearances are not reality and how people are perceived are
often not who they really are. Shakespeare uses this to highlight how
appearances can be deceiving and how they are used for personal gain.
Appearances can also be distorted based on individual beliefs and
experiences. This can be seen from the varied responses to the prophecy
by Macbeth and Banquo. The witches hail Macbeth as “Thane of Cawdor
and king hereafter” which is a positive outcome for Macbeth. And so, he is
immediately “rapt” and because they are in his favour, Macbeth does not
SAC Sample
Prompt: ‘Look like the innocent flower, But be the serpent under’t’ How
does the play demonstrate that appearances can be deceptive?
Planning
Appearances are not reality – things are not as they seem. Appearances
can be contorted based on personal feelings and beliefs. Things can
appear to be food from afar but up close is really bad.
Body #1:
Appearances can be deceptive (appearance vs reality)
- Macbeth and Lady Macbeth appear to be “noble” and “brave”
“valiant” “honoured” but their true intentions are “black and deep
desires” “vaulting ambition” and “topfull of the direst cruelty”
Body #2:
The appearance of things can be distorted based on bias
- Deception will be ignored because humans want what is good for
them
o Macbeth “rapt” by prophecy and consumed by it, doesn’t
doubt the witches
o Banquo – sees them as “instruments of darkness” “betrays in
deepest consequence”
Body #3:
Titles and positions appear wealthy and rich but securing them and having
joy is uncommon
- Thane of Cawdor “chapp’d” “traitor” a cursed title
- The title of king cost so many lives
o Duncan “clear in office” was betrayed
o Banquo – “father to a line of kings” was murdered
o Macbeth – fights to secure his position but ends up friendless
and alone a “tyrant”
Marks: 29/30 97%
William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, 1623, is a play about the tragic demise of
the protagonist Macbeth, caused by his greed and ambition. Throughout
, the play, Shakespeare highlights how appearances can be deceptive
through the characters and how they are portrayed, as well as their
actions and beliefs. The fine line between appearance and reality is
demonstrated through Macbeth who is praised as “noble” and “brave” but
in reality, is a “tyrant.” Along with Lady Macbeth who appears to be
“honoured” but is a “fiend.” The playwright also shows that appearances
change based on personal beliefs and deception is ignored when
individuals are blinded by ambition. This can be seen in the varied
responses to the prophecy by Macbeth and Banquo. Furthermore, the play
also highlights how titles and positions appear grand, but the cost is
greater than the power.
Shakespeare reveals the difference between appearance and reality
through the protagonists, who hide their true intentions to deceive others.
Initially, Macbeth is a “valiant” soldier loyal to his king and country. He is
praised as “noble” and “worthy” but when ambition takes hold his true
intentions are revealed. Macbeth is so blinded by the possibility of being
king and overcome by greed that he decides to give in to his “vaulting
ambition.” Upon discovering what his future could be, Macbeth
immediately begins planning his rule and waits for “chance to crown [him]
without [his] stir.” However, when Malcolm is crowned Prince of
Cumberland he decides to give in to his “black and deep desires” without
reconsideration. This hasty transformation highlights that, although
Macbeth appeared to be a hero, he was always greedy and power hungry.
Similarly, Lady Macbeth is viewed as “honoured” but she wishes to be
“topfull of the direst cruelty.” Despite how she appears to be wanting
success for her husband, all she really wants is the power for herself. In
Jacobean times women had little to no power in society, causing Lady
Macbeth to want to be “unsex[ed].” The only path for her to achieve her
goals is by “pour[ing] [her] spirits” in Macbeth’s ear and persuading him
to force fate. She deceives him to think that “a little water will cleanse
[them] of [their] deed” and that the guilt will not haunt them. While
Macbeth believes that she is supporting him, she in reality is fulfilling her
desires. Macbeth hides his intentions and “look[s] like th’innocent flower”
to host Duncan and then plot his murder despite being his “kinsman.” This
shows that appearances are not reality and how people are perceived are
often not who they really are. Shakespeare uses this to highlight how
appearances can be deceiving and how they are used for personal gain.
Appearances can also be distorted based on individual beliefs and
experiences. This can be seen from the varied responses to the prophecy
by Macbeth and Banquo. The witches hail Macbeth as “Thane of Cawdor
and king hereafter” which is a positive outcome for Macbeth. And so, he is
immediately “rapt” and because they are in his favour, Macbeth does not
