In everyday life normal people like you and I sometimes pretend to be what we are not, or we "wear a mask". It is a defense-mechanism that can be used for social or even political augmentation. In Macbeth, a tragedy by William Shakespeare, Macbeth hides his true nature as he strives for the pinnacle of political influence by killing his king, Duncan. Shakespeare uses "fair and foul" contradictions to reflect Macbeth, who appears to be a fair noble thane, but in turn is a foul person and deceptive murderer. Macbeth takes advantage of the king's trust, uses a false identity, and murders those around him to gain supreme sovereignty.
The first step Macbeth takes in seizing for the crown is taking advantage of Duncan's na�e sense of trust. While watching the thane of Cawdor getting hung, Duncan comments, "There's no art to find the mind's construction in the face. He was a gentleman on whom I built an absolute trust."(2.4 13-16) Duncan lacks the essential insight to detect treachery within his own ranks. He also does not see the inconsistency of Macbeth's character, which leads to the king's bloody murder. Lady Macbeth clarifies their sneaky plan in killing Duncan when saying, "Bear welcome in your eye, your hand, your tongue. Look like th'innocent flower, but be the serpent under `t." (1.6 76-77) After this effective plan resulting in murder, a wise old man says to Macduff and Ross, "God's benison go with you and with those that would make good of bad and friends of foes." (2.4 55-56) This warning is used by Shakespeare to foreshadow the knowledge of Macbeth's betrayal. Macduff, unlike Duncan, suspects Macbeth and does not convene with him.

After killing off those that truly prevent him from taking the throne, he has to hide his true colors. Macbeth "wears a mask" of false innocence, and must seem like a good and loyal King to his subjects, when in fact is guilty of numerous slaughters. If Macbeth slaughtered all that opposed or suspected him, he would have nobody to rule. Therefore, some alliances must be maintained regardless of their nature. His wife reminds him that the other nobles are important to the longevity of his reign. "Come on, gentle my lord, sleek o'er your rugged looks. Be bright and jovial among your guests tonight." (3.2 30-32) Macbeth cannot hide his foulness, even when his own survival depends on it. During a feast with other nobles, Macbeth almost reveals the truth when seeing an imagined ghost of murdered Banquo. Without association with others, Macbeth's reign would be superficial and short.

Well, as bad as we can feel about ourselves when we must "wear a mask", we can comfort ourselves by relating to the extremity of Macbeth, who lived a series of lies and deception before he was killed by Macbeth and justice was returned to Scotland. By use of contradiction, Shakespeare made a complex character who was not what he seemed.