Macbeth Essay
Adrian Maznio 11/26/12
English 11H Mr. Donohue
In Shakespeare’s Macbeth, the three witches say “Fair is foul, and foul is fair.” This quote is revisited many times throughout the play. In the play there is a lot of seesawing with the characters between good and bad. Characters have undergone complete changes in personality and philosophy. Shakespeare is saying that “Fair is foul, and foul is fair” will be a prominent theme in Macbeth.
In Act I Scene I, all three witches say together “Fair is foul, and foul is fair”. This is a theme that runs throughout the whole play. In the beginning when Macbeth learns of the weird sister’s prophecy he is curious about how and when he will become king. Once he tells his wife Lady Macbeth she instantly plans about killing the king, Duncan, in order to get the throne.
“First, as I am his kinsman and his subject, strong both against the deed; then, as his host, who should against his murderer shut the door, not bear the knife myself. Besides, this Duncan hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been so clear in his great office, that his virtues will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued, against the deep damnation of his taking-off”
This quote by Macbeth shows that Macbeth is reluctant to carry out the plan since he is still loyal to the king. He believes the king is a great man and he can’t betray him. He just got praised and rewarded for his heroics in the war with Norway. Not to mention he’s hosting Duncan in his own castle and that they are related. Lady Macbeth convinces him anyways and Macbeth kills Duncan. Once Macbeth kills off all the loose ends that could expose him, Macbeth turned from a coward to a cold blooded killer who would do anything to stay king. Later on in the play after Lady Macbeth committed suicide and after a messenger tells him that Birnam wood was marching toward Dunsinane.
“Out, out, brief candle! Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the
English 11H Mr. Donohue
In Shakespeare’s Macbeth, the three witches say “Fair is foul, and foul is fair.” This quote is revisited many times throughout the play. In the play there is a lot of seesawing with the characters between good and bad. Characters have undergone complete changes in personality and philosophy. Shakespeare is saying that “Fair is foul, and foul is fair” will be a prominent theme in Macbeth.
In Act I Scene I, all three witches say together “Fair is foul, and foul is fair”. This is a theme that runs throughout the whole play. In the beginning when Macbeth learns of the weird sister’s prophecy he is curious about how and when he will become king. Once he tells his wife Lady Macbeth she instantly plans about killing the king, Duncan, in order to get the throne.
“First, as I am his kinsman and his subject, strong both against the deed; then, as his host, who should against his murderer shut the door, not bear the knife myself. Besides, this Duncan hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been so clear in his great office, that his virtues will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued, against the deep damnation of his taking-off”
This quote by Macbeth shows that Macbeth is reluctant to carry out the plan since he is still loyal to the king. He believes the king is a great man and he can’t betray him. He just got praised and rewarded for his heroics in the war with Norway. Not to mention he’s hosting Duncan in his own castle and that they are related. Lady Macbeth convinces him anyways and Macbeth kills Duncan. Once Macbeth kills off all the loose ends that could expose him, Macbeth turned from a coward to a cold blooded killer who would do anything to stay king. Later on in the play after Lady Macbeth committed suicide and after a messenger tells him that Birnam wood was marching toward Dunsinane.
“Out, out, brief candle! Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the