The theme “Fair is foul, and foul is fair” means that everything is not alway what it seems.
In Shakespeare's play Macbeth, the theme is played throughout the entire play. Three examples are; Act 1, scene 1, line 10, spoken by all three witches, Act I, scene 4 lines 11-12, spoken by King Duncan and lastly, Act 1, scene 6, lines 1-3, spoken by King Duncan. Macbeth and Banquo are frightened by the ugly appearance of the three witches when they first see them. The witches chant “fair is foul, and foul is fair, Hover through the fog and filthy air”, (Act 1, scene 1, line 10, spoken by the witches), after Macbeth is over the initial shock of the witches’ hideous appearance, he begins to talk with them. The witches are known to be “evil
…show more content…
This quote refers to when Malcolm speaks of the death of the Thane of Cowdor. At first King Duncan thought the Thane of Cowdor was nice and loyal to him (fair), then he learns that he was betrayed by him (foul). Because of the Thane’s action, he was executed for treason which made Macbeth the new Thane of Cowdor. Little did Duncan know that Macbeth and his wife would also betray him by murdering him. King Duncan arrives at Macbeth’s castle with Malcolm, Donalbain, Banquo, Lennox, Macduff, Ross and Angus. He comments “This castle hath a pleasant seat. The air Nimbly and sweetly recommends itself Unto our gentle senses” (Act 1, scene, 6, lines 1-3). Though he comments on the sweetness air and pleasant atmosphere (fair), little does he know ironically the castle will later reek of death later that evening (foul). Also, Banquo notices martlets who build their nest within the castle. This displays a place of warmth and welcome (fair). Once again, King Duncan has no idea how much danger he is in. He innocently goes to the castle like a lamb to the slaughter
Macbeth shows his desire for power, he was friendly to Banquo before he became the king, but after he became the king, he let three murderers to kill Banquo and his son. “So is he mine, and is such bloody distance That every minute of his being thrusts against my near ‘st of life”(3.1 line 116-118). Macbeth sent three murderers to kill Banquo and his son since they ran away. All he thinks about is to kill more people in order to gain more power. Macbeth didn’t just kill Banquo only, he also killed Macduff’s whole family. “Murderer. What your egg! Stabbing him. Young fry of treachery! Son. He has killed me, mother: Run away, I pray you”(4.3 line 84-87). He killed Macduff’s whole family, he just wanted to make sure he doesn’t lose his power, so he just killed anyone who against him, he’s obsessed with his power, he never cares about breaking other people’s family.
Macbeth follows the tale of the journey of a once honorable man to a man of tyranny filled with bloodshed, culminating in a war aimed at reclaiming Scotland's rightful peace and order. In the tragic play Macbeth by William Shakespeare, Macbeth seeks to gain power over Scotland but loses his identity as he fears future consequences and becomes tortured by overwhelming guilt. This ultimately reveals that one who focuses solely on the pursuit of power will lose direction to their moral compass, causing one's downfall. Initially, Shakespeare reveals Macbeth's fear of future consequences of gaining power, which will ultimately intensify his paranoia, compelling him to take Jurassic measures to maintain his position, leading him to destruction. Macbeth
In the play Macbeth Macbeth is fueled by power and every decision he makes is to gain more power. When the witches prophesize that he will become king power is all he can think about. He begins to lose his sanity in order to gain power and control over everything. When Lady Macbeth hears of Macbeth’s meeting with the witches she begins plotting the death of Duncan in order to get her and Macbeth power. It’s easy to see power has made her think this way when she says, “ hie thee hither, that I may pour my spirits in thine ear and chastise with the valor of my tongue all that impedes thee from the golden round” (1.5.15-8). This quote shows that Lady Macbeth thinks Macbeth wants to be king, but isn’t willing to do what is necessary to get. Her
Because Macbeth lusts for more and more power, he makes bad decisions and actions which shows that lust for power leads to corruption. In the play Macbeth, Macbeth murders King Duncan in order to become king and accumulate more power, which connects with the thematic idea of corrupting influence of power. When MacDuff is talking to Lennox after he finds out that King Duncan was murdered he says “O horror, horror, horror!/ Tongue nor heart cannot conceive nor name thee!”. In the quote Macduff yells “O horror, horror, horror!”(add more context which leads into analysis, and why does macduff feel that way)
Fear, this moves us to do many things no matter if they are against or for our morals. In the play The Tragedy of Macbeth it was fear that was the main deciding factor that themed throughout this play. This can be proved by the other murders that happened after King Duncan's. These murders were committed, because Macbeth was scared of being caught and having to serve justice for the crimes he had committed. And as for Lady Macbeth, she washes her hands all the time trying to get the blood that is no longer on her hands off and sleepwalking, all of what she does is out of her own fear.
A guilty king: The crash of thunder, chanting prophecies, and untold murder. Rumors have spread that the well-trusted king Duncan has been slain, and the heavy burden of this guilt rests on no other than Macbeth. “The Tragedy of Macbeth” by William Shakesphere is a story about how Macbeth and his friend Banquo encounter three witches, who tell them that Macbeth will be king. Macbeth acts on his prophecy and kills King Duncan. Then murders others with the help of hired murderers who swear secrecy to their new king, Macbeth.
Of course, we know that Macbeth (with some encouragement from his wife) does murder Duncan.
In Shakespeare's “Macbeth” both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are crazy but the crazier one is Macbeth. Macbeth murdered innocent people, he was obsessed to become king and he believed whatever the witches said.
Hernan Blanco Professor Mclntire English Comp. 2 27 March 2024 The quote "Fair is foul, and foul is fair: Hover through the fog and filthy air" is spoken by the three witches in Act 1, Scene 1 in the story. The phrase summarizes the central theme where good and evil blur, a theme that filters throughout the play. It suggests a world where appearances are deceptive and morality is ambiguous, foreshadowing the moral chaos that unfolds as Macbeth's ambition leads to tyranny and destruction.
The three witches show that appearances can be deceiving by tricking Macbeth many times throughout the play. In the opening scene, the witches set the mood of the play by saying, “Fair is foul and foul is fair,” (1.1.12). This quote often applies to the witches themselves and their predictions. For example, the three prophecies told to Macbeth predict personal reward. Though Banquo questioned, “[W]hy do you start and seem to fear / Things that do sound so fair?”, Macbeth had good reason to fear the witches’ prophecies (1.3.49-50). Predictions originally thought to be good (ie. he would become king) eventually led to Macbeth’s downfall.
"Oh, treachery! Fly, good Fleance, fly, fly, fly! / Thou mayest revenge"(III.iii.18-19). "Avaunt! And quit my sight!Let the earth hide thee! / Thy bone are marrowless, thy blood is cold; / thou hass no speculation in those eyes"(III.iv.93-96). Banquo's ghost haunts Macbeth, and Macbeth is unable to face it. Macbeth's evil ambition usually leaves Macbeth feeling at peace or safe, but now his ambition has left him with a painful vision of his dead friend. "What, you egg! / Young fry of treachery! / He has killed me"(IV.ii.79-82). Macbeth has sent his men to catch and kill Macduff, and instead Macbeth's men kill Macduff's innocent son and later his wife. Macbeth is now giving orders to kill woman and children; he has become a complete tyrant.
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
Macbeth is a valiant warrior, Thane of Cawdor for his performance in the war, and eventually the King of Scotland for performing a low-key immoral deed. In the eyes of Shakespeare’s audience, Macbeth is noticed for killing enemies in the war. Macbeth portrays himself as strong and fearless man but shows weakness to his wife by denying murdering the King. Macbeth angers Lady Macbeth by backing out of the plan when he says,
“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.
The Tragedy of Macbeth opens in a desert place with thunder and lightning and three Witches who are anticipating their meeting with Macbeth, "There to meet with Macbeth." They all say together the mysterious and contradictory "Fair is foul, and foul is fair." King Duncan learns that "brave Macbeth" and Banquo are bravely resisting the "Norweyan banners" and the rebellious Thane of Cawdor. When these forces are vanquished, Duncan bids Ross to greet Macbeth with his new