macbeth fair is foul and foul is fair essay

The Meaning of Macbeth’s ‘Fair is Foul, and Foul is Fair’

By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University)

‘Fair is foul, and foul is fair’ is a famous quotation from William Shakespeare’s Macbeth . The play is one of Shakespeare’s most widely studied and, perhaps on account of its brevity, straightforward plot, and crowd-pleasing set pieces, it is one of his most frequently staged.

We find the line ‘Fair is foul, and foul is fair’ very early on in Macbeth . But what is the meaning of this statement? How can ‘fair’ be ‘foul’ and how can ‘foul’ be ‘fair’ when those two adjectives are, surely, opposites?

The famous opening lines of William Shakespeare’s great tragedy, Macbeth , are spoken by the First Witch: ‘When shall we three meet again / In thunder, lightning, or in rain?’. These lines immediately ushers us into a world of witches, prophecy, and black magic, elements which Shakespeare probably chose to include because the new King of England, James I, had written censoriously about witchcraft in his book Demonologie .

This line ‘Fair is foul, and foul is fair’ is spoken by the three Witches or Weird Sisters towards the end of the play’s short opening scene. All three of them say the line, and the one that follows it:

Fair is foul, and foul is fair Hover through the fog and filthy air.

Shakespeare gets a good deal of credit for things he doesn’t deserve credit for: for coining hundreds of new words, for instance (most of which he was simply popularising ), or for coming up with ingenious new plots (when in fact, almost all of his plays borrow their plots from elsewhere ).

And the line ‘Fair is foul, and foul is fair’ was already an established proverb, albeit with slightly different wording, when Shakespeare wrote this line. In Edmund Spenser’s The Faerie Queene , for instance, we find the line, ‘Then faire grew foule, and foule grew faire in sight’. This was in the 1590s, a decade or so before Shakespeare wrote Macbeth (whose story also, of course, was borrowed from elsewhere ).

But ‘fair is foul, and foul is fair’ is a fitting line to find so early in a play in which the natural order will be well and truly overturned. Macbeth will be prophesied king, and then seize the crown for himself; he will go from Duncan’s favourite to Duncan’s murderer; from Banquo’s closest friend to his cold-blooded killer.

Fair, then, will well and truly become foul in the play, and Macbeth is filled with images of corruption, putrefaction, strange omens, and foulness of all kinds. The pair of opposites, foul and fair, will dissolve into one: fair has been rendered foul, and foul has become fair. Good and evil appear to have swapped places. The Weird Sisters are merely prophesying this.

Macbeth is also a play in which characters’ statements and utterances echo again and again later in the play, and ‘Fair is foul, and foul is fair’ will find itself echoed, fittingly enough, a couple of scenes later when Macbeth himself is first introduced. Indeed, his first words in the play are, ‘So foul and fair a day I have not seen.’ This is just as Macbeth and Banquo are about to encounter the Witches for the first time.

Although he was not present when they declared, in unison, ‘Fair is foul, and foul is fair’, Macbeth echoes their words. In his Arden Shakespeare edition of Macbeth , the editor Kenneth Muir has a useful note on this line, pointing to noted Shakespeare critic Edward Dowden who observed that this echo establishes a ‘connection’ between Macbeth’s soul and the souls of the ‘hags’. His destiny is bound up with their prophecies.

But what is clever about the line ‘So foul and fair a day I have not seen’ is that we have just learned, in the previous scene, of Macbeth’s great victory in battle. Fresh from the battlefield, and making his way through ominously bad weather, Macbeth may merely be commenting on the ‘foul’ weather but the ‘fair’ victory he has won. The line doesn’t therefore strike us as coming out of the blue, or as a clumsy and overdone echo of what the Witches had previously said.

But a link between Macbeth and the Weird Sisters’ magic has been established, nevertheless. And one of the ways Shakespeare subtly points up this link is through the linguistic echoes around ideas of ‘foul’ and ‘fair’ which both Macbeth, and the Witches, provide.

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‘Fair Is Foul And Foul Is Fair’, Meaning

‘Fair is foul and foul is fair’ is a particularly well known Shakespeare quote , said by the three witches in the opening scene of Macbeth … and what a wonderful opening Macbeth has! Darkness, thunder and lightning, a desert place and three witches, who, in a few short lines, chanting in a weird, unworldly rhythm, tell us what to expect from this play – the inversion of values, good becoming evil and evil becoming good (fair is foul and foul is fair); a hero who is to have a momentous meeting with the witches who have appeared specially for that; the obscuring of vision in the fog they create, and their filthy air that replaces the freshness and lightness of Scottish air.

As the opening scene ends we see the confession of the witches’ creed: “fair is foul and foul is fair.” Its application applies to both the physical and the moral worlds. They subvert everything and indulge in every kind of mischief, from killing swine to trapping and corrupting human souls. Macbeth is a victim of that mischief as ultimately his soul is trapped and destroyed.

When Duncan arrives at Glamys Castle to stay the night with Macbeth he is entering a place made to resemble hell with Lady Macbeth’s invocation of evil: “…Come thick night;/ And pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell,/That my keen knife see not the wound it makes,/Nor heaven peep through the blanket of the dark …” As Duncan arrives at the castle gates he says: “This castle hath a pleasant seat; the air/Nibly and sweetly recommends itself/Unto our gentle senses.” A member of his party says: “… heaven’s breath smells wooingly here.”

They are entering the gates of Hell, though, and that pleasant air is about to change to fog and filthy air. Murder awaits Duncan as Macbeth and Lady Macbeth plan their regicide. Later, after the murder, when Macduff comes to take Duncan hunting, the porter at the gate has a small comic scene in which he pretends to be the keeper of the gates of Hell before opening them to Macduff, who discovers a scene of evil and confusion.

A study of the main character in the play reveals him to be one of the most interesting and remarkably drawn of all Shakespeare’s characters. Macbeth is slowly transformed from a thoroughly good man into pure evil, described by Macduff as a hell kite, and referred to as “bloody,” “butcher,” “tyrant,” etc. When we first see him he is a major celebrity, well-loved throughout the land and trusted by the king, who showers honours on him after he has shown his loyalty by putting down a rebellion and killing the rebels. Tempted by the witches, he gets the idea that he can be king, but Lady Macbeth assures him that it can’t happen unless they kill the king, which they do. From that moment on we see a decline into pure evil, as he presides over a reign of terror, and we see one of his murderers actually brutally killing a child onstage. He just keeps going down until he is defeated by forces whose imagery in the play is associated with angels, heaven and light, as opposed to the darkness, filthy air and fog imagery surrounding the now-evil Macbeth. The fair has become foul and what is foul was once fair. After Macbeth’s defeat at the hands of Macduff, who cuts his head off, order is restored and the witches’ influence over the land evaporates. Foul has become fair.

Throughout the play, there are a number of quotes where good an evil are contrasted, tying in with the motif of fair is foul and foul is fair. These include:

When the battle’s lost and won. ( act 1, scene 1)

Let not light see my black and deep desires. ( act 1, scene 4)

Look like the innocent flower but be the serpent under it. ( act 1, scene 5)

I go and it is done: the bell invites me.

Hear it not, Duncan, for it is a knell

That summons thee to heaven or to hell ( act 2, scene 1)

There’s daggers in men’s smiles. ( act 2, scene 3)

Good things of day begin to droop and drowse;

While night’s black agents to their preys do rouse. ( act 3, scene 2)

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Fair is Foul, Foul is Fair: Paradox and Equivocation in Macbeth James R. Silvester

In the play Macbeth, some of the most significant characters rely upon their ability to equivocate, in order to hide their treacherously covetous, or purely malicious intentions. Most characters take part in these acts of subterfuge, but the three witches, the porter and above all, Macbeth are the most significant. While Macbeth employs these tactics of speech manipulation and ambiguity as the others do, he eventually falls victim to this game of trickery himself, a captive of his own inability to see the deception hidden in the witches’ words.

When Macbeth is introduced, he is undoubtedly a respected and noble Thane, with blatant loyalty to his country. It is not until the witches’ prophecies tempt him with the possibility of a future kingship that he becomes the deceptive, dishonest murderer that plagues Scotland in the later acts of the play. Macbeth’s skill at deception is first put to the test after his murder of Duncan, when, with the intent of appearing innocent, he attempted to mislead Banquo, Macduff, Malcolm, and the other nobles into believing he was nothing more then his king’s loyal subject. He strived to appear just as appalled and surprised as they were by this brutal and unforeseen murder. In an effort to...

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Fair is Foul, Foul is Fair

Origin of fair is foul, foul is fair.

This phrase pervades Shakespeare’s entire play , Macbeth , reminding the audience they need to look deeper in order to understand the thoughts and actions of the characters . Though it first appears in the beginning in the twelfth line of Act I, Scene I, uttered by witches as “Fair is foul, foul is fair,” it lasts throughout the story with recurring themes of evil doing, and deception in the name of equivocation , ambition, and good. The meaning of this line is that though events, things, and people may seem good or bad; after careful examination, they turn out to be the opposite.

Meaning of Fair is Foul, Foul is Fair

The meaning of this motif is quite obvious in the very first act. Simply, it means that appearances are often deceptive, and that things are different from what they appear to be. This line also points towards the play’s concern with the inconsistency between appearance and reality. Though it is a knotty and difficult idea, nevertheless it suggests that in this world, you can never be sure whether it is a mirage, an apparition, or a dagger.

Usage of Fair is Foul, Foul is Fair

This phrase is very tricky, which we find in literature, media, political speeches, and everyday life. Many people use it as a paradox to criticize one’s double standards and dual personalities that have contradicted in appearance and reality. We can often see its best usage against public servants and politicians who present their dual personalities in front of the public. It is also uttered by cynics when faced with the conundrums prevailing in politics.

Literary Source of Fair is Foul, Foul is Fair

Since witches are creatures of devil and night , and they like “foul” and dislike “fair,” they sing this phrase in Act I- Scene I of the play, Macbeth as:

“Fair is foul and fouls is fair: Hover through the fog and filthy air.”

( Macbeth , Act I- Scene I, 12-13)

Later, Macbeth also uses it as, “So fair and foul a day I have not seen.” The day is fair because he wins the war, and foul due to the loss of so many lives and stormy weather.

Literary Analysis of Fair is Foul, Foul is Fair

The first time we hear this phrase is in the opening scene, where witches utter this phrase in the twelfth line of Act I, Scene I, in order to trap Macbeth by predicting his future falsely. Then Macbeth uses the phrase, and later it echoes on different occasions with different meanings. Simply, for witches it means whatever is fair to a common man is foul to them, and what is foul to a common man is fair to them.

If we recall the story of the play, this phrase refers to Macbeth as well, as he does everything that he formerly considered foul. Though this motif relates to various characters in the play, it strongly relates to Macbeth in line 130 of Act I, Scene III, when he questions whether the predictions of the witches for his future life are fair or foul.

Literary Devices

• Paradox : The phrase employs a paradox, as it foreshadows the deception of Macbeth, in that the prophecies of witches might lead him to greatness, but they would destroy him instead.
• Symbolism : The witches are symbolic of foul, but give fair advice, and Macbeth outwardly appears to be a hero , but inwardly he is a coward and a plotter.
• Consonance : It is a very good use of consonance “f”, as fair, foul, foul, fair shows mastery of the playwright.

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Story Arcadia

“Fair is Foul, and Foul is Fair”: Analyzing Macbeth’s Moral Paradox

In the murky atmosphere of Shakespeare’s “Macbeth,” a cryptic phrase echoes: “fair is foul, and foul is fair.” This oxymoron, chanted by the three witches in the opening act, sets the tone for a play riddled with moral ambiguity. It suggests a world where appearances deceive and reality is shrouded in illusion. The significance of this statement extends beyond its literal meaning; it becomes a thematic heartbeat that pulses through the narrative, challenging characters and audiences alike to grapple with the blurred lines between virtue and vice.

Within “Macbeth,” this paradoxical sentiment reflects the inner turmoil and ethical disorientation experienced by characters as they navigate a landscape where noble actions can have sinister outcomes, and evil deeds may be cloaked in fair pretense. As we delve into the play’s fabric, we uncover how this theme not only drives the plot but also mirrors the complex nature of human morality. The witches’ words ominously foreshadow the ensuing chaos, urging us to question our perceptions of good and evil.

This analysis aims to unravel how “fair is foul, and foul is fair” not only captures Macbeth’s moral paradox but also resonates with contemporary issues, prompting introspection about our own ethical judgments in an ever-ambiguous world. Analyzing Macbeth’s Moral Paradox

In Shakespeare’s “Macbeth,” the phrase “fair is foul, and foul is fair” serves as a chilling prophecy of the moral confusion to unfold. This paradoxical statement, chanted by the witches in the opening act, sets the tone for a world where appearances deceive and reality is shrouded in ambiguity. The characters in “Macbeth” frequently engage in actions that blur the lines between right and wrong. Macbeth himself embodies this theme; he is initially presented as a noble warrior but succumbs to his ambition and commits regicide, an act considered both foul and fair—foul in its treachery, yet fair to him under the twisted logic of his ambition.

Lady Macbeth further exemplifies this moral inversion when she calls upon spirits to “unsex” her, seeking the removal of feminine compassion to commit cruel deeds. Her ability to mask her true intentions portrays how fairness can cloak foulness. Throughout the play, characters’ virtuous facades often hide their sinister motives, leading to a world where nothing is as it seems. This motif not only drives the plot but also prompts audiences to question the nature of morality itself. The Moral Ambiguity of “Fair is Foul, and Foul is Fair”

The paradox “fair is foul, and foul is fair” extends beyond the play’s immediate drama to comment on the nature of morality itself. This statement suggests that what appears to be good (fair) may actually be harmful or unjust (foul), and vice versa, challenging the binary perception of good versus evil. In “Macbeth,” this ambiguity reflects the complexity of human nature, where intentions and actions are not always aligned.

Characters in the play often face moral dilemmas that blur the lines between right and wrong. For instance, Macbeth’s initial valor on the battlefield is seen as noble, but this same bravery becomes tainted as he succumbs to ambition and commits regicide. Similarly, Lady Macbeth’s determination can be perceived as a strength, yet it leads her to manipulate her husband into committing unspeakable acts.

This theme also foreshadows key events in “Macbeth.” The witches’ prophecy, which Macbeth initially perceives as a promise of greatness (fair), ultimately brings about his downfall (foul). The moral confusion sown by these words hints at the tragic consequences that unfold when characters misinterpret or deliberately ignore the ethical implications of their actions.

In essence, Shakespeare uses this paradox to explore how appearances can deceive and how individuals grapple with moral choices in a world where certainties are elusive. Unraveling Macbeth’s Moral Enigma

In conclusion, the phrase “fair is foul, and foul is fair” serves as a cornerstone for understanding the moral ambiguity in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth.” Our analysis has shown that this paradox not only reflects the confusion faced by characters in discerning right from wrong but also mirrors the broader complexities of human nature. The characters’ actions, driven by ambition and deceit, exemplify the theme’s manifestation within the narrative. As we have explored, this statement transcends its literary origin, prompting readers to confront the blurred lines between virtue and vice in their own lives.

The enduring relevance of this theme is evident as contemporary society continues to grapple with similar ethical dilemmas and illusions. By challenging us to question our moral compass, Shakespeare’s timeless words encourage a deeper reflection on what we perceive as just or unjust. Ultimately, “fair is foul, and foul is fair” remains a powerful reminder of the intricate dance between appearance and reality, urging us to look beyond the surface in our quest for truth.

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