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 frequently, "What goes around, comes around," comes to mind. Macbeth started the play by conquering the evil Macdonwald. As Macbeth meets the hermaphroditic trio, his desires and his ambitions change. The thoughts of regicide enter his mind and with a little help from his wife, and Duncan's destruction becomes reality. Towards the end of the play, Macbeth becomes the evil tyrant who is killing his country and people.
             Two-thirds of the tragedy traces Macbeth's career after killing Duncan;
             well over half the play, with gradually expanding attention to the contrasting good who will overthrow him, traces his degeneration as king into the univers
             ...