The Illusions of Macbeth

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The Illusions of Macbeth Breaking free from a conceived notion is perhaps the scariest of human realizations. Realizing that realities, once believed, are only illusions forces most into a place of darkness. This sort of disillusionment can be found within the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare. Throughout the play, the character of Macbeth surrounds himself with a wall of illusion. This wall comes tumbling down in act five of the play, particularly in Macbeth’s sixth soliloquy. His soliloquy manages to mention three realizations discovered by Macbeth after hearing the news of the approaching army. His soliloquy leaves him questioning previous illusions of his unthreatened rule, glory and long lasting power, and self-sufficiency. Macbeth’s character changes throughout the story. During the time he is king, his most prominent illusion is his unthreatened rule. After hearing from the apparitions, Macbeth adopts a very cocky personality. This personality leads his to say, “The mind I sway by and the heart I bear/ shall never sag with doubt nor shake with fear” (5.3.9-10). However, his confidence lowers only a couple moments after saying this. Macbeth’s servant informs him of the approaching soldiers, MacDuff among them, and Macbeth’s boldness disappears. This can be seen when he says, “I am sick at heart/ when I behold—Seyton, I say! — this push/will cheer me ever or disseat me now” (5.3.19-21). This is when he first challenges his delusions, Macbeth no longer thinks of himself as invincible. Macbeth instead begins to realize that losing his throne is highly possible. He becomes aware of his own misconception of safety. Along with the realization of his possible failure, Macbeth becomes aware that his rein as king holds much less glory than he had imagined. From the earlier moments of the play, when the witches first plant the seed, Macbeth

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