Deception is the act of distorting ideas, and it’s commonly perceived as a human flaw. Macbeth, a play by Shakespeare, thoroughly examines this idea of deception and self deception and establishes the concept that deception yields negative effects. Ultimately, one should be ready to accept the consequences of deception. In the play, prominent characters such as Lady Macbeth and Macbeth utilize deception to their respective benefits without considering the impact; in the end, their deception leads them astray, showering them in their own guilt and fear. Through the use of characterisation, symbolism and diction Shakespeare conveys the central theme of the self deception and deception. Furthermore, Shakespeare shows that even if deception can create transient benefits, it will eventually lead its user to self destruction.
Shakespeare uses characterisation to portray the downfall of the Macbeths, which demonstrates the pernicious qualities of deception. As the play progresses, the desirable qualities of Macbeth have been gradually erased because of his self deceiving nature. In the beginning of the play, Macbeth is portrayed as a “worthy Cawdor” that “more than all can pay” (I. iv. 48, 21). However, as Macbeth learns about the witch’s prophecy — “ (he) shalt be King” (I. iii. 48) — he develops an insatiable thirst for the crown. He becomes “the serpent underneath” (I. v. 56 – 58), commits the “most sacrilegious murder” (II. iii. 60) and ultimately transforms into an “abhorred tyrant” (V. vii. 11). Macbeth is characterised as someone who deceives both himself and others, firmly holding the belief that he shall be crowned while subtly lying to achieve this belief. In the end, this idea of deception leads Macbeth to perceive a distorted version of reality, which, in turn, causes his downfall. Likewise, the duality in Lady Macbeth presents her as a complex character who stands on the fine line between an “Innocent flower” and the “serpent under’t” (I. v. 56 – 58). As the play progresses, the duplicitous qualities of Lady Macbeth gradually removes her duality as she becomes consumed with guilt, causing her character to eventually collapse.
In addition to characterisation, Shakespeare uses numerous forms of symbolism to represent the consequences of deception. One prominent symbol is the image of blood during Duncan’s murder, which represent’s Macbeth’s guilt. Directly after murdering the king, Macbeth discovers servants praying and comments on his bloody hands by saying “As they had seen me with these hangman’s hands.” (II. ii. 28) Even though there were no witnesses near the murder scene, Macbeth refuses to go back to the crime scene and smear blood on the sleeping guards. Macbeth is clearly overwhelmed with guilt and uncomfortable with the blood on his hand, as he immediately attempts to remove the stains on his hand after the murder.
Another prominent symbol present in Macbeth is water, which symbolises the purification of guilt conscience. Lady Macbeth comforts Macbeth after the murder by saying, “A little water clears us of the deed”; (I. ii. 67) However, as the play progresses, the Macbeths become consumed in guilt. Macbeth attempts to wash away the blood, but “all great Neptune’s ocean (cannot) wash this blood clean from my hands.” (II. ii . 58-59) Similarly, Lady Macbeth repeatedly rubs her hand to remove the unseen “spot” on her hands and says “Out, damned spot! out, I say! . . . “(V. i. 31) She wishes to remove the guilt from her conscience by removing the unseen “spot” on her hand. By using symbolism to portray guilt, Shakespeare establishes the idea that deception leads to a guilty conscience and self destruction.
Diction, especially ambiguous language known as equivocation, is abundantly used throughout to subtly reveal Shakespeare’s negative views on self deception. Macbeth’s inability to understand the deeper meaning of the weird sister’s prophecy eventually leads to his downfall. Through their prophecies, Macbeth learns that “none of woman born shall harm (him)” and he “shall never vanquished be until Great Birnam Wood to High Dunsinane hill shall come against him.” (IV. i. 79-80, 91-92) In Macbeth’s perspective, these are “sweet bodements” (wonderful prophecies), and it seems that he shall never be defeated, as all men are born of woman and trees can never “unfix” their earthbound roots and move. At the end of the play, the prophecies all come true — Macbeth was slain by Macduff, who was “from his mother’s womb untimely ripped” (V. Viii. 15-16) and Birnam Wood does comes to Dunsinane castle: carried by soldiers holding saplings camouflaged as trees. At no point did the Weird Sisters lie to Macbeth — through self deception, he chooses what he wishes to hear and ignores the rest, a quality that consequently leads to his downfall.
In Macbeth, Shakespeare makes use of characterization, symbolism and diction to incorporate heavy elements of self-deception and deception into his work. Through the words and actions of Macbeth, it becomes obvious that while deception can benefit one temporarily, it will lead to self destruction in the long term. One can interpret Macbeth as a typical individual within the human society who deceives and self fulfills to achieve certain goals. Ultimately, Shakespeare implies that