Monday, July 30, 2012

Macbeth Homework



Write a page in which you reflect on the use of the “Fair is foul, foul is fair” motif so far in the play. Trace its overt use but also use it to reflect on the characters. For example, how does it affect your view of Macbeth who is introduced as brave and noble? Publish to your blog by 4 pm Tuesday next week.

In the play so far, “fair is foul, foul is fair” is a motif seen throughout. This motif is first made clear when the three witches chant, “fair is foul and foul is fair” after a meeting with Macbeth in scene 1 act 1. This motif is reflected through the three witches who feel that anything that would usually be considered as “fair” is in fact “foul” and that anything that would usually be considered as “foul” is in fact “fair”. The witches speak in paradoxes and this motif is a good example of this.
         The motif is also reflected through the character Macbeth who is introduced as brave and noble. Being brave and noble is considered to be a positive thing and in this case could be considered as “fair.” As the play progresses, it becomes evident that Macbeth is not in anyway “fair.” Through his ploy to kill the king in order to obtain the crown, it becomes clear that on the inside, Macbeth is truly “foul.” Things that appear to be fair may really be foul and things that appear to be foul may really be fair. The roles are reversed and things are not as they may appear at first glance.
         Another example of this motif in the story is in the balance of nature. What may appear to be a good and fair day for Macbeth, such as after he has been crowned king, starts a chain of events that are foul due to the imbalance of the natural order.