Skip to main content

A paradox is an apparent contradiction that reveals a truth. The witches end the first scene with a paradox: "fair is foul, and foul is fair."...

When the Weird Sisters say that "Fair is foul, and foul is fair," they mean that things that seem good could really be bad, and things that seem bad things could really be good (1.1.12).  Macbeth recalls this motif when he says, "So foul and fair a day I have not seen" (1.3.39).  In one sense, the day has been foul because he has been involved in bloody battles; in another sense, it's been fair because his forces have prevailed.  

Then, when the Weird Sisters approach him with their prophecies, their words seem quite good, predicting a noble future for Macbeth; however, Banquo cautions him that



"oftentimes, to win us to our harm, / The instruments of darkness tell us truths, / Win us with honest trifles, to betray 's / In deepest consequence" (1.3.135-138).  



Banquo doubts the motives of the witches, and he believes that they might be trying to appear honest in order to mask their manipulative intent and draw Macbeth and Banquo into cementing their own destruction. He is right. It does not take long for Macbeth to consider murder in order to make the prophecy come true.


Further, Duncan laments the way he was deceived by the old Thane of Cawdor, now a traitor.  He says, "There's no art / To find the mind's construction in the face" (1.4.13-14).  In other words, the old thane seemed like a good and loyal friend, but this facade concealed a disloyal and murderous interior.  


After Macbeth arrives home and begins to plot Duncan's murder with his wife, she says to him, "Look like th' innocent / flower, / But be the serpent under 't" (1.5.75-77). She wants him to appear loyal and friendly, as he always has, and use this "fair" exterior to hide the "foul[ness]" of their plot against the king.


Even poor Duncan rides up and declares that "This castle hath a pleasant seat," complimenting the looks of the Macbeths' home (1.6.1).  However, the castle's fairness hides the evil plan the couple is hatching to murder him.  Moreover, he calls Lady Macbeth a "fair and noble hostess," which, if he knew what foul deeds she was plotting against him, he would never say (1.6.30).

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is the meaning of "juggling fiends" in Macbeth?

Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a... Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a sense of guilt, and that man tells him: Despair thy charm. And let the angel whom thou still hast serve...
Post a Comment
Read more

Discuss movements that were inspired by the Civil Rights Movement and list one success for each group.

African-Americans contributed in a very big way during World War II. These contributions were demonstrated at home and on the battlefield. After the war, African-Americans properly felt it was time for them to achieve equality with white Americans. During the 1950's, the modern Civil Rights Movement was born and it had a number of successes (integration of the military and Brown vs. Board of Education as examples.) This success inspired other activists to demand change... African-Americans contributed in a very big way during World War II. These contributions were demonstrated at home and on the battlefield. After the war, African-Americans properly felt it was time for them to achieve equality with white Americans. During the 1950's, the modern Civil Rights Movement was born and it had a number of successes (integration of the military and Brown vs. Board of Education as examples.) This success inspired other activists to demand change for their agendas. Two examples of moveme...
Post a Comment
Read more

In Martel's Life of Pi, how does writing a diary help Pi Patel build on his leadership skills?

At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can... At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can do this by writing down events, problems and solutions, and reflections to look back on when confronted with repeated problems. It can ...
Post a Comment
Read more