A Foul Blessing: Macbeth William Shakespeare’s Macbeth begins with the sinister meeting of three witches in thunder and lightning. They plan to meet again “when the battle’s lost and won” (I, i, 4). Before they depart, the witches declare that “foul is fair, and fair is foul” (I, i, 10). Everything has a deceptive appearance. Circumstances oppose each other. In the duration of Act I, these interpretations of the witches’ declaration prove to be frequent in the dialogue of the characters, and in the situations of the plot. The main character of the play, Macbeth, is stunned by the prophecies of the three witches. He is unsure of how to take the prophecies of becoming the Thane of Cawdor and then king. Stunned when the second prophecy comes …show more content…
They appear to be women, but have beards. They seem to contradict themselves. Although sceptical of the auguries, Banquo finds that they are “things that do sound so fair” (I, iii, 52). In reply, the witches tell Banquo that he will be “lesser than Macbeth, and greater”, “not so happy, but much happier”, and that he “shalt get kings, though [he] be none” (I, iii, 66-67). Regardless of the positive outlook of the prophecies, Banquo remains dubious, as shown when he speaks aside to Macbeth. He tells him that such promises of the future often end in …show more content…
He is easily taken in by people, proven by the fact that the former Thane of Cawdor was a traitor. Duncan is quick to put his trust in Macbeth after being betrayed. Ironically, he describes how difficult it is “to find the mind’s construction in the face”. His statement is true, as Macbeth has been thinking about removing Duncan from the throne. Things get more contrasting later on, especially when he is outside Macbeth’s castle, Inverness. He comments on the pleasant, outward appearance of the castle, when in reality, Lady Macbeth sees as her “battlements” (I, v, 41). Inverness is a reflection of Macbeth’s treason against Duncan, and how he hides his true intentions behind a false exterior. When Macbeth is hesitant to take his role in the assassination of the king, Lady Macbeth attempts to persuade him to carry out the plan by questioning his masculinity. She helps him regain his resolution by telling him to “look like th’ innocent flower, but be the serpent under’t” (I, v, 66-67). On the night the murder is to take place, Macbeth comes to the conclusion that the “false face must hide what the false heart doth know”, echoing his wife’s words (I, vii, 82). Once again, the witches’ chant appears in the words and actions of Lady Macbeth, and
In the play Macbeth, or more commonly referred to as the Cursed Scottish Play, the multitude of death and betrayal covers up or destroys the potential heroism of many characters, except for that of Macduff. His purity, courage, and sacrifice throughout the course of the play enable this hero to eventually orchestrate the fall of Macbeth.
When the Weird Sisters hail Macbeth as the Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor, and the future king, Macbeth’s mind is put under a curse of selfish and greedy ambition. These prophecies controlled the way that Macbeth thought and acted and eventually lead to his downfall. Immediately after the Weird Sisters present Macbeth with the prophecies, Macbeth states to the Weird Sisters “Stay, you imperfect speakers, tell me more...:” (Document A). This statement is the precursor that shows the uprooting of Macbeth’s power-seeking characteristics that were once buried beneath the morals that were “too full o' the milk of human kindness” (Document B). As Macbeth becomes obsessed with the idea of power, his mindset is consumed with fearlessness and he states “what need I fear of thee?” (Document D). This feeling of invincibility is created by the witches “when the witches bring the tidings of Macbeth's elevation to Thane of Cawdor” and “his body seems to act independently of his will” (Cohen). Although the witches did have partial control over the thoughts that preceded Macbeth’s detrimental actions, the final decisions were ultimately controlled by Macbeth
Fair is foul, and foul is fair, a phrase that has become synonym with Macbeth. It is also the introduction to one of the most important themes of this tragedy: appearance and reality. Shakespeare uses various characters and situations to emphasize this confusion between the real and the surreal, the authentic and the fake, the act and the sincere. In order to discuss this theme, different characters will be looked at : in the first paragraph, the Witches, in the second, Duncan and in the third, Lady Macbeth.
‘Brave Macbeth,’ (1.2.18.) as he is first introduced, possesses a valiant temperament, is adored by his generous king and all those who have viewed his prowess on the battlefield. Noble and righteous, Macbeth is portrayed as a respectable man who – although it being prophesied by the three witches before he obtains knowledge of his good fortune – gains his title of Thane of Cawdor solely through his loyalty to his kingdom. At first glance, the play’s protagonist ostensibly has a near perfect balance of both ambition and pride. However, as the plot progresses and the Weyard Sisters equivocate the future in their familiar groups of three, the reader may discern an imbalance that contradicts early perceptions of the protagonist’s personality. ‘[Yielding] to that suggestion whose horrid image doth … make [his] heart knock against [his] ribs against the use of nature,’ (1.3.144–47) Macbeth has already succumbed, albeit only in thought, to his overwhelming ambition, adding more weight to his formerly balanced internal scale, thus raising pride raising slightly higher, as ambition takes precedence. Yet this change is relatively minute, and balance is retained, as he has no desire to act upon these thoughts, wishing to gain power only ‘if chance will have [him] king … without [his] stir.’ (1.3.154–55) It is not until his wife asks him, ‘If thou are afeard
In the third scene, he encounters the witches who truthfully predict that he will become the Thane of Cawdor and further predict that he will become king of all Scotland. At first Macbeth is merely intrigued by what the witches say, but when their prophecy starts to come true, a seed of evil is planted within him and he can no longer see the reality of the situation – the evil nature of the
Macbeth is one of Shakespeare's more popular plays, and nearly everyone knows about the abundant blood and gore, the witches, Lady Macbeth's ambition, and the ghost of Banquo. However, not as many people know about the superstitions that surround this play. There's a long-standing belief that the play is jinxed, than any company that produces it is courting disaster, and that quoting from the play (or even saying the title) leads to serious bad luck.
The prophesies of the Weird Sisters’ speeches are full of paradox and equivocations, starting with their statement made in the beginning of the play that “fair is foul and foul is fair.” (I.i.12). The witches’ prophesies are equivocal, and the alliteration used with rhymed couplets subsidize the bewilderment in their words. As author William Preston Johnstone states, “It
The themes of love, supernatural, and tragedy in Macbeth make this tale loved by many. The supernatural ideas are most noteworthy and dramatic. Witches, apparitions, and hallucinations give the play the sense of the unknown. Shakespeare used the supernatural occurrences and witches to show humans wickedness and depravity. The characters in this play were not at all hesitant to do evil acts once prophecies had been given showing their innermost desires come true. In the end, while the prophecies may have come to fruition, it was not how the characters had anticipated.
Our main character Macbeth is very driven by his need for what he believes to be the truth. The play starts out with the quote “Fair is foul, and foul is fair,” (1.1.6) meaning nothing is, as it seems. This quote was from all three witches, who decided they were going to seek out Macbeth who at the time was Thane of Glamis and a prized solider on the battlefield. Macbeth at this time was looking for more in his life. The witches then gave him and his friend Banquo three prophecies. They were that he would become Tha...
In Act 1 Scene 1, Shakespeare incorporates the three witches, the most important form of supernatural to Macbeth. The witches meet in a thunderstorm and discuss their next meeting, “in thunder, lightning or rain” (1.1.2). The atmosphere sets up the theme of evil which lasts for the rest of the play. Moreover, they say “Fair is foul and Foul is Fair” (1.1.12). This quote is regarding their plans with Macbeth, as their foul or evil plans will appear fair to Macbeth, who like all humans, carry evil in their blood. Throughout the play, the witches feed ...
The three witches use cleverly chosen words and prophecies to exert control over others. These prophecies seem to be more potent than any action, as they can be interpreted in any number of ways, and have the ability to provoke otherwise hidden thoughts and desires. For instance, upon hearing the first prophecies and seeing the first part come true, Macbeth says, “This supernatural soliciting, cannot be ill, cannot be good … If good, why do I yield to that suggestion whose horrid image doth unfix my hair and make my seated heart knock at my ribs.” This shows the power of the witches, and indeed the supernatural in general. The prophecies, of which Macbeth is convinced are true, have provoked thoughts and ideas, both good and evil.
The witches have a strong effect on Macbeth's character; they highly influence him in his accomplishments and awake his ambitions. They give Macbeth a false sense of security with their apparitions of truths. Instead they prove to be harmful for Macbeth who takes too much comfort and confidence in his interpretation of the truths. They are the ones who plant the actual idea of killing Duncan into Macbeth's mind. But if it were only the witches prophecies, then Macbeth surely would not have murdered the king. 'When you durst to do it, then you were a man,' (Macbeth, Shakespeare Act 1 Scene 7) Lady Macbeth's constant harassment pushed Macbeth and made him commit all this evil. When you reason things out by yourself you tend to now what is right and what is wrong, a conscience. But with the outside influence from the witches he thinks that that is his destiny and he must do everything to fulfill it. One can wonder if Macbeth ever had a chance of doing what was right after he met with the witches. He is overthrown and killed. Through his own ambitions, the ambition of his wife and the witches' prophesies, Macbeth has caused his own destruction and downfall. We can now clearly see that ambition not achieved through our own ability leads to destruction. 'Hail Thane of Glamis and of Cawdor and shalt be King hereafter'. (Act 1 Scene 3) These prophecies from three strangers are taken without question and probably without good judgment. Just the thought that he may be King clouds his thoughts and ambition takes over. The witches can predict the future, they can add temptation, and influence Macbeth, but they cannot control his destiny.
Macbeth’s ambition to obtain power convinces him that it is his destiny to become King of Scotland, and that he should do anything to fulfill that destiny, even if it involves him committing tremendously immoral acts such as murder. After Macbeth realizes that the witches may actually speak the truth due to the second prophecy (Thane of Cawdor) becoming true, he begins to have an eerie and frightening thought of him killing his king and friend, Duncan, in order to ac...
This line ‘Fair is foul, and foul is fair,’ is important to the play Macbeth. When the
"Fair is foul and foul is fair: Hover through the fog and filthy air” (1.1.11-13). Humanity has the proficiency of being two-faced, one can be bad but appear good as well as be good but appear bad. Macbeth, a play written by William Shakespeare best exemplifies the following theme, “Fair is foul and foul is fair.” By opening the play with these lines, Shakespeare created an eerie atmosphere and promptly expressed the play’s theme. The composition portrays a Scottish soldier named Macbeth who is met by three witches with foreshadowing greetings, he is told he will be King and then falls into darkness to gain power despite the harsh consequences. Within the plot, the theme “fair is foul and foul is fair” is established and repeated throughout the play. The theme not only weaves its way into the narrative, it is shown within the supernatural beings, incidents, and play’s characters.