Macbeth Fair is Foul a... (Literary essay)

The quote from the three witches, "Fair is foul and foul is fair," echoes throughout the story, and is the backbone of the many 'switches' that occur between and amongst the characters and their positions. Macbeth's opening line reinforces this theme with, "So foul and fair a day I have not yet seen." He describes the day as foul after having to brutally slay so many men. The day is fair because of his absolute triumph and assured rewards. This, as with many things in the play, see-saws back and forth: his fair winnings and heightened position turn foul again by the end of the play.

Possibly the most notable switch occurs between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. When Lady Macbeth learns of the witches' prophecy, she is absolute in her decision to kill the King. Macbeth, while he clea

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One would expect, stereotypically, that Macbeth would be the one trying to convince his queasy wife that killing the King would be a blessing.

Act IV contains two noticeable echoes of the "Fair is foul and foul is fair" theme. In Act V, we see Lady Macbeth falling apart, a downfall we later learn leads her to suicide. After a short speech from Macduff, Malcom suddenly changes his mind and becomes honorable. Shakespeare has taken the structure of Tragedy and imbedded it's shadow into almost every part of the play. Macbeth, on the other hand, has forgotten his guilt, and is even willing to fight in the face of certain death when he learns of Macduff's unmotherly birth. Again, just as we're convinced by enough of Malcom's self-disgust, the see-saw tips. rly likes the idea, and even shares her desire, falters on holding his promise to her until she threatens his manhood directly. After he kills the King and Banquo (separately) he is distraught with shame and guilt, while Lady Macbeth holds herself together and covers for his strange behavior. Macbeth gains from this foul act the fair position of kingship, which, of course, is met with tragedy at the play's end. This comes as a complete surprise to both the reader and to Macduff. Instead, Shakespeare turns things upside down and puts the pants on Lady Macbeth. First, while Malcom and Macduff are talking, we learn of Malcom's terrible nature, and that he would rape, pillage and steal were he king. To Duncan, Macbeth is the most honorable and successful of his noblemen. Just as we're beginning to accept this, he turns it around again, with Lady Macbeth's suicide and Macbeth's heroic (although evil) bravery.

Common topics in this essay:
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Approximate Word count = 564
Approximate Pages = 2 (250 words per page double spaced)

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