Fair Is Foul And Foul Is Fair in Macbeth Essay

Fair is foul and foul is fair.

The text Macbeth is asphyxiated in themes of treachery, dishonesty, deception shown by the quote Fair is foul and foul is fair. This quote shows that despite the fact that something appears to be devout and pure it may underneath be treacherous and evil. The text is smothered in lies and betrayal from various characters. Shakespeare portrays this theme through the Witches and Hecates meandering of Macbeths prophecy which tricks Macbeth in to believing he is insuperable and he then goes forth to live with no fear. We can also see this through Macbeths murders of his spurious friends in which he looks to befriend them yet perfidiously murders them. Macbeth also conveys this through his murder of Macduffs family. This theme is also expressed through Lady Macbeth by her assisting Macbeth through his murders and lies. She cons him into doing so through his time of doubt and wishes she could take his place. She sits quietly in the background yet plays a major role in Macbeths actions.

The witches and Hecates show deception and trickery through their lies and twisting the truth of Macbeths prophecy. The witches second prophecy set Macbeths future off course, they trick him by telling him a warped version of his prophecy. The witches, under order of Hecate, tell Macbeth None of woman born shall harm Macbeth and Macbeth shall never vanquish'd be until Great Birnam wood to high Dunsinane hill. The quotes of the witches deception show that they are telling the truth in an unbelievable way deceiving Macbeth, Macbeth believes they are being honest and is left with an attitude that he is indestructible, he vows from this moment the very firstlings of my heart shall be the firstlings of my hand. This quote demonstrates he is fearless and believes nothing can defeat him but the witches lies end him getting killed by Macduff who was untimely ripped from his mothers whom. The quote shows how the prophecy that none of woman born shall harm Macbeth seems like it means no one can conquer him yet it was just a trick. The witches deceptive lies about the prophecy push Shakespeares theme of deceit forward, they are intended to throw Macbeth off course but appear to be of help to Macbeth.

Macbeths murders are deceitful and two-faced, his friendliness and hospitableness shown on the outside is a blanket that covers the disloyal and evil person that he really is. Macbeths was a lying and deceitful person, he appeared to be good to his friends yet only wanting to place them where he wanted which most of the time meant killing them. Duncan was tricked by Macbeths lies and fell into the trap of befriending him believing he was a worthy gentleman. Macbeth invited Duncan over for a dinner in which he intends to kill him. Duncan is hoaxed into thinking that Macbeths intentions are caring and that the air nimbly and sweetly recommends itself yet Macbeths false face must hide what the false heart doth know. These quotes show the contrast between the pair in Duncan believing Macbeth is good and kind-hearted while Macbeth only has his eyes on murdering Duncan. Macbeth is disloyal to his friends and will do anything to fulfil his prophecy.

Lady Macbeth assists with Macbeths evil plans and is the main source of all the disaster that happens. Lady Macbeth was the source of the evil yet sat in the background pretending to be good. She turned Macbeths mind around through his times of uncertainty about the murders. She wished only for Macbeth to fulfil the prophecy and continuously encouraged him and accused him of being a girl. She says you would be so much more the man while at his time Macbeth still believes I dare do all that may become a man; who does more is none. These two quotes show that Lady Macbeth turned Macbeths mind around when he wasnt going to go through with the murder flipping his mannerisms and future around. Had Lady Macbeth not have done this Macbeth would have continued on his path of fearing the murder of Duncan and the path of devastation he ended up going down would not have been taken. Lady Macbeth appears to be an angel but her antics with helping Macbeth prove otherwise, she helps Macbeth to fulfil his prophecy but knows she cant do it herself. Caught with nothing she can do about it she speaks to the gods and pleads unsex me here and fill me from crown to the toe topfull of direst cruelty. This quote shows her desire to fulfil the evil plans that Macbeth is required to fulfil. Lady Macbeth also plans Macbeths murder of Duncan supporting the brutal events that take place. She tells him to look like thinnocent flower, but be the serpent undert. This quote portrays the foul plans Lady Macbeth had in telling Macbeth how to carry out the evil plots. Lady Macbeth deceitfully forces Macbeth into fulfilling his evil schemes while sitting in the background pretending to look saintly.

Shakespeares play Macbeth is enclosed in a coffin of deceit, betrayal and lies which places everyones future in tragedy. The theme runs throughout the entire play and the severity of the theme ends in death for most characters. The themes of deception are portrayed through the witches and Hecates twisting of the truth to Macbeth making him believe he is invincible. As well as being shown through the witches Macbeths murders were both brutal and deceitful at the same time conveying the theme of lying and treachery. Lady Macbeth played a big part in the murder yet did not directly do any herself. She had control of Macbeths mind and pushed him into what she wanted through encouraging him to do so.