The way people act on the outside and who they really are on the inside may be two absolutely different people. Some individuals may alter who they are because they feel they don't fit in. Other people simply pretend to be something they aren't. No matter which way you look at it, if you try to be someone or something you're not, the truth will always appear in the end. In the book The Tragedy of Macbeth by William Shakespeare, the image of appearance versus reality contributes to characterization, theme, and structure. Appearance can be defined as, "an outward aspect of somebody or something that creates a particular impression." Almost contradictory is the definition of reality: "actual being or existence as opposed to an imaginary, idealized, or false nature." A prominent image in Shakespeare's play, Macbeth, is the contrast between appearance and reality and can be seen interlaced throughout each act of the play.
             The image appearance versus reality plays a hefty role in developing characters' specific roles throughout the play of Macbeth. Characters throughout the play can be seen as 'two faced'; they are not what they seem. The character of Macbeth is not an easy one to understand. At the beginning of the play Macbeth is praised by many people as being a hero when he has defeated the Norwegians. The captain says: "Brave Macbeth." When Duncan hears the news he adds: "o valient cousin" and refers to Macbeth as "Noble Macbeth." At the start of the play the audience hails Macbeth as a hero, but after he hears the prophecies of the weird sisters, he begins to think about murdering the king. The audience senses he isn't so heroic after all and, as a result, the audience begins to abhor Macbeth. Macbeth is deceptive towards other people in the play. King Duncan trusts Macbeth too much. Macbeth appears as a super hero and faithful to King Duncan. He fights against the traitor ...