Fair is Foul and Foul is Fair --Macbeth

The phrase, “fair is foul and foul is fair,” is a recurring theme within Shakespeare’s play, The Tragedy of Macbeth, which occurs on many levels. This phrase introduces itself within the first act of the play during the first scene. The phrase then dwindles within the work, weaving its way into the storyline, and leaves its thematic web behind. The words, “Fair is foul and foul is fair” lets one understand the paradox from a sectional standpoint as well as the play in its entirety. They also help add color to the play to make an even better depiction of Macbeth.

As the witches met together in the first act of the play in the first scene, they observed Macbeth. After their meeting was over, the phrase is first introduced by a couplet, which also ends the scene. The three witches all hissed simultaneously, “Fair is foul and foul is fair/Hover through the fog and filthy air.” (Act I scene i. line 10). These powerful words governed the events in the rest of the play. They were the words that brought Macbeth to power and also lead to his death.

When examining the play as a whole, the phrase “fair is foul and foul is fair” has a deep truth to it. An up-to-date phrase, used quite frequentl

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In the end, Macbeth’s character led to his death.

Did the witches manipulate all of Macbeth’s actions, or were the witches just predicting the future of Macbeth? It was probably a little of both. Macbeth was the one to take the daggers and stab his king until the life was drained from his body. She described to him how great it would be to become king. One explanation could be that the day was fair because he had defeated Macdonwald in a fierce battle against the Norweyans. [Lady Macbeth] seems to think of herself as a wife obligated to promote her husband’s advancement with a firmness she realizes he lacks. Thus, The Tragedy of Macbeth remains one of Shakespeare’s best tragedies, despite its size. The idea of being king was fair to Macbeth, but killing his ruler, whom he loved and cherished, was foul. It is quite different from the Macbeth in the beginning of the story. “What goes around comes around” comes to mind, due to the fact that Macbeth is also killed in the final scene of the play.

Nonetheless, Macbeth was responsible for the slaying of his king.

Approximate Word count = 929
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

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