Paradox or Not? That is the Question!

“Nothing is what it is not”, said Macbeth. Was he being profound or deceived? Did he know what he was talking about or was he sputtering nonsense? Upon this depends whether this is a paradox or an equivocation, whether he is uttering truths or speaking lies.

I think that what Macbeth is talking about is his present state, the fact that he finds his illusions, fruits of his imagination, more real and relevant than the real and physical things around him. He finds meaning and great pleasure not in the things that exist in reality,which he can actually obtain, but in those that exist in his mind only and are unreachable for him. At this moment he realizes this vice and admits to himself that lives in the imaginary terrain. This means he is speaking truth when utters these famous words. Therefore the words of Macbeth are a paradox.

This paradox carries a deeper meaning that you can discover when you transfer these words out of these specific consequences in to everyday life. In everyday life we dream and fantasize of things that might seem unrealistic, but they are so much more enjoyable and entertaining. As long as we stay realistic and hold on to the truth and reality and not let our fantasies rule our actions, we should be safe and sane.