Theme of Fair is Foul in William Shakespeare's Macbeth 'Fair is Foul' is the major theme in Macbeth and is present throughout the play in both the characters and the events. 'Fair is Foul' refers to the contrast of good and evil in the play, since Macbeth commits many evil murders for what seem to be good reasons. There are several false and secretive characters, such as the Witches, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, because of the contradiction of good and evil. Therefore the theme of 'Fair is Foul' is also linked to the theme of appearances being deceiving. As a result of this theme lots of chaos, lies, secrets and total disorder are caused.
There is also the supernatural element as the witches call up the evil spirits they serve at line 62. This ties in with other supernatural images in the play, such as when Macbeth sees the floating dagger before him before he murders Duncan. This supernatural image adds to the importance of the witches in the play. The witches also serve to develop our picture of Macbeth. In line 45, the witches, when they hear Macbeth knocking, say ‘Something wicked this way comes’.
Act 1 Scene 1 Film Version of William Shakespeare's Macbeth In Elizabethan England, witches and the supernatural were a very genuine threat to everyday life. They were recognised as an antithesis to the divinely ordained order of the universe, often attributed with unexplained disease to neighbours and to livestock, as quoted in Act 1, Scene 3 when the second witch notifies the others that she has been 'killing swine'. The Elizabethan population did not commonly believe that witches were born supernatural beings, rather that they gained their powers by selling their souls to Satan. Indeed, this play was extremely relevant to modern life around the time of its first production. James I was personally terrified yet fascinated by witches after an attempt on his life by Agnes Sampson, a convicted witch.
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 ... ... middle of paper ... ...xists or not, but simply says man is capable of any evil. The supernatural is the one thing which decides the fate of Macbeth and his wife, Duncan, and the others who were affected by this evil. The three witches and the queen witch heavily influence Macbeth to a point where he relies on their prophecies, as he has gone insane.
As the witches brew their charm to bring disgrace to Macbeth we come across numerous suggestions of evil and mystery. Their chanting, “Double, double, toil and trouble: Fire burn and cauldron bubble” is rhythmic and has an almost an hypnotic quality to it, even so that it is still one of the most famous extracts of the whole of literature. There is also a repetition of the word “thrice”, referring to three. During Shakespearean times religion was a main pillar of society and daily life, paganism was feared and condemned without mercy. The number three was of high importance in Celtic pagan traditions and for strictly Christian audiences it was seen as evil.
When the battle’s lost, and won.” Every word they speak seems to link them with evil and foulness. “Fair is foul, and foul is fair, Hover through the fog and filthy air.” In Shakespearean England the atmosphere of distrust and suspicion was a powerful breeding ground for persecution and witch-hunts were common. People them days were induced to relate witches as rebels against God and the divine order. So starting the play with this dramatic scene is setting out to grip the audience’s attention from the very start of the play. The Shakespearean audience would therefore be immediately aware at the very start of the play that this drama concerns evil and foul deeds.
Three witches appear to Macbeth and his friend Banquo. Witches have always been considered as evil beings; later in the play we find this to be true. The first witch says, "All hail Macbeth, hail to thee, Thane of Glamis", the second witch continues "All hail Macbeth, hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor" and the third witch then says "All hail Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter." Basically the witches are telling Macbeth that he will become the Thane of Cawdor and then king. Telling the future has been considered as an evil thing to do, by some.
Evil In Women and Its Effect on Macbeth "...My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical, Shakes so my single state of man that function Is smother'd in surmise, and nothing is But what is not." (1.3.140-143). Throughout Shakespeare's play, we see that Macbeth is the victim of evil seduction by women. In the above quote the evil is perpetrated by the witches. Lady Macbeth also plays a strong role in his moral corruption.
Ana Patricia Sánchez Calvo Lady Macbeth's Ironical Fate Evil is a deceiving force. It can help you reach your goals but evil's gains are always bitter and two-faced. In Shakespeare's tragedy Macbeth, the character of Lady Macbeth chooses the path of evil to fulfill her unscrupulous ambition; nevertheless, all that evil brings to her is madness and restlessness. Evil is a powerful force throughout the play; it influences the two main characters, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, to commit heinous crimes in order to achieve power. The idea of evil is presented even at the beginning of the play, since the play starts with witches.
Feminine Evil in William Shakespeare's Macbeth and King Lear In Shakespeare's plays King Lear and Macbeth, evil is represented in both women and men. It is significant to the plots of both plays and to their impact through theme and character that evil actions are performed by women. The construction of evil female characters also gives insight into Shakespeare's view of women and their roles in society. The plot of King Lear is set in motion by the conversation between Lear and his daughters. In return for their love and honour, he will give them land and power.