Fair Is Foul And Foul Is Fair Macbeth

From the first scene of the play, the reader immediately gets a glimpse of the deception meshed into Macbeth’s world. The quote “Fair is foul and foul is fair” is a commonly used by the three witches, spoken in their equivocal language. This same language of vagueness is used when the witches encounter Macbeth and Banquo on the

Shakespeare utilizes this notion, assumed by various characters, to express the duality under which they live. From the beginning of the play, Shakespeare uses the idea of what is real, juxtaposed with what is deceiving to create an air of uncertainty and bewilderment. The paradox spoken by the witches, 'Fair is foul and foul is fair,' highlights the confusion present and serves as an admonition (caution?) for Macbeth. Shakespeare delves into the idea that deceit and duplicity indicates that appearances ought not to be relied on. Macbeth's over-ambitious, tyrannical character is intentionally contrasted with his initial appearance, as the play

The witches give Macbeth prophecies that come true; but do not always work out right. The witches are talking about the confusion they will make “Fair is foul, and foul is fair.

The witches play an important role they have the ability to predict the future and affect it too. Without their warnings and predictions Macbeth wouldn’t have chosen to act in the way he did. In their second appearance they prophesize that that he cannot be harmed by no one born of woman, a child with a crown represents Malcolm, and he’s warned about the moving Great Birnam wood to high Dunsinane Hill. “But yet I’ll make assurance double sure, and take a bond of fate” (4.1.83-84).

Another way that the theme of ‘Fair is foul and foul is fair’ proffers itself is through the deception of King Duncan by Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. This deception is even worse because of Duncan’s trust in Macbeth, so as Lady Macbeth quotes; ‘Look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under’t.’ Duncan is not suspicious because as Macbeth quotes in his soliloquy; ‘He’s here in double trust: First, as I am his kinsman and his subject, strong both against the deed; then as his host, who should against his murderer shut the door, not bear the knife myself.’ It is doubly ironic that Duncan should trust and praise Macbeth so highly when he says to Lady Macbeth; ‘See, see, our honor’d hostess! The love that follows us sometime is our trouble, which still we thank as love. Herein I teach you how you shall bid God ‘ild us for your pains, and thank us for your trouble;’ and also that Duncan should replace a

They are truly fair throughout the whole act, in addition giving warnings to Macbeth for the danger of believing in the prophecy such as”...to betray us In deepest consequence.” (Act 1 Scene 3 line

The three witches play a very important role in affecting the actions of Macbeth with their ability to steer him in the direction they desire. They not only use their supernatural powers but also prey on his greed and ambition.

The Renaissance play The Tragedy of Macbeth, written by William Shakespeare, truly demonstrated a compelling tale of greed, power, and jealousy. The play revealed the turn of a good nobleman into a powerful and greedy king. It showed audiences how one crime led to another and eventually to a gruesome melee. Throughout the tragedy there appeared to be a reoccurring theme stated finest as appearances are deceiving. The audience is first introduced to the theme in the first scene of the play where the witches said the profound phrase, "Fair is foul, and foul is fair" (I, i, 10). The Tragedy of Macbeth continued to present the idea of images being deceivingly different from the actual appearance.

"Fair is foul and foul is fair," The quote from the three witches, repeats throughout the play and is the basis of the many changes that occur between the characters. Macbeth's opening line reiterates this theme with, "So foul and fair a day I have not yet seen." He describes the day as foul because he had to kill so many men. But the day is fair because he feels triumphant and is rewarded.

The three witches play on Macbeth’s desires. He expresses his wish to become more powerful, and the witches create predictions that push him to kill the King. The witches manipulate Macbeth’s thoughts to commit the horrible deed.{{Use textual references

“Fair is foul, and foul is fair”, a recurring theme, develops the plot in Macbeth that leads to Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s tragic downfall. For example, after Lady Macbeth has read Macbeth’s letter about the witches prophecies and Duncan’s visit when she is plotting the kings death. She says, “Yet I do fear thy nature; it is too full o’ th’ milk of human kindness to catch the nearest way.” (Act I, scene v, lines 13-15). This shows Lady Macbeth fears her husband is too kind to murder Duncan in order to get the throne, but later in the play, Macbeth's vaulting ambition leads him to do anything to secure his throne.

Life is an optical illusion, which is something that deceives the eye by appearing to be something other than it is. In other words some things in life may appear to be one way, but in reality they are not. The witches chant, “Fair is foul and foul is fair” (Shakespeare, Act I, Scene I, 10) which indicates from the very beginning of Shakespeare's play Macbeth that a major theme of the story would be deceptive appearances. By encompassing this theme throughout his writing, Shakespeare demonstrates that people are often to quick to believe not only what they see, but what they hear and think as well.

     The Three Witches are the ones who introduce the paradox that runs throughout the play. The theme affects these characters because although they speak of the future, they do not seem to affect the course of it. They are the agents of fate because they only speak of the truth of what will happen. Macbeth refers to the Witches as the Weird Sisters. In fact the word "Weird" comes from an old English word

to inhuman evil. There is a sense of dramatic irony as we see what the

“Fair is foul, and foul is fair. Hover through the fog and filthy air” (Shakespeare Act I Scene I 12-13). The Weïrd Sisters utter these lines in unison in the first scene of the play. Shakespeare thus establishes the backdrop for a story full of paradoxes and mysticism. Not all is how it appears to be. Deceit and betrayal take center stage in the play, paving the way for Macbeth’s ascendancy to kingship, and eventual downfall. Good versus evil is present in nearly every scene. As in most literary works, the author develops different themes expressed in various ways. Symbolism is often the most effective way to express central themes. In Macbeth, Shakespeare creates contrast to effectively strengthen the overriding message of good versus evil.