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Two Truths and a Lie

Decent Essays

Kenneth Koch, an American poet once said, “If you live in a world full of politicians and advertising, there’s obviously a lot of deception.” Koch’s perspective of the world being filled with businessmen and politicians who essentially lie to the public about their plans parallels Shakespeare’s idea of deception in Macbeth. It is rooted into human nature to show only a positive side rather than revealing negative aspects in order to hide weaknesses and convince others of an idea. Macbeth, by William Shakespeare portrays a story of Macbeth, who is deceived by the prophecies of three witches, creating false hope in him, which ultimately leads his doings of unnatural things in order to fulfill his prophecies. With the ambition to become king, Macbeth murders anyone who he deems is a roadblock in his path to his throne. However, Macbeth does not realize that the witches’ deceiving prophecies and his actions have started a chain reaction of unnatural and misleading happenings, eventually leading to his downfall. Shakespeare uses elements such as light and darkness along with the characters of Macbeth, Lady Macbeth who represent defiance of nature and manipulation to conceive his idea of deception, revealing the universal truth that things are often not what they seem to be. Macbeth first defies nature when he murders Duncan by deceiving Duncan of his trust and loyalty. Macbeth’s character drastically shifts from being loyal and heroic to becoming a selfish and over-ambitious

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