Sean Weeks
February 5, 2001
416-02

Macbeth Act I

            We are all guilty of judging people by their looks. It is natural for us to base our respect toward someone upon our first impressions, being their visual appearance on the outside. However, even after being with someone for a while, unfortunately someone's looks still seem to overrule their character and heart, which is the most important. The Bible says "for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart." (1 Sa 16:7)

          In the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare, the witches chanted, "fair is foul and foul is fair." Basically the witches are saying "the beautiful are bad on the inside, and the ugly are good on the inside." It think they are referring to Macbeth who was generally thought to be fair and good person. Others even thought he was so great that they even said so to their friends. However, as the story goes on, we soon discover that Macbeth and his wife were really very evil in their hearts. After hearing that Macbeth would become king according to his fortune, his ambitions overtook him and he ploted to kill the king and gain the throne. People like Macbeth are those who tend to keep good reputations, especially with their looks, but plan evil for their own self-indulgence.

          I think a good example of someone who is beautiful, yet has a sinister intent is Satan. "Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light." (2Co 11:14) To most people, especially unbelievers, Satan is beautiful and attractive; being one of God's fallen angels. Since Satan is so attractive, we fall into his sinful traps which can only eventually result in death. He makes sin seem so fun and inviting that we thrive on it and violence done by others. The fact that Satan is so beautiful is a picture of how deceiving he can be, until we realize it's too late to turn back.

          We must learn and try to judge people on their heart and not by looks. Do not be like Macbeth who would kill for his own greed, but maintain an honest and truthful reputation.