Where there is a positive figure there will always be a negative mocking the good. During the act, Macbeth, Shakespeare uses contrasting images of lightness and darkness to express the differences of powers used amongst two different characters. The character Macbeth is a very important aspect of the play because his is referred to as the tyrant: a dark, evil and violent dictator that does nothing, but tries and destroys other around him. Duncan on the behalf is a loyal king to the people of Scotland. Duncan tries to praise the people around him and honor them for the good that they instill.
Like a foul for one can be fair for the other. It is a paradox that signifies that there is no significant of good and bad things as their role can be reversed. This quote is predicting the evil that will cloud Macbeth’s judgements. 2. What is the significance of Shakespeare beginning the play with the witches?
The witches are possibly linked as the “charms” seem to influence Macbeth and he begins to echo “foul and fair”. Whenever Macbeth seems at his most inhumane he uses rhyming couplets for example, “knell that summons…to heaven…hell” is used before killing Duncan in act 2 and “fight…heaven…find it out to-night” before killing Banquo in act 3.
Shortly after, Banquo warns Macbeth of danger, explaining that the witches may not be trustworthy: And 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. By the end of Act I, Banquo still relates to Macbeth as his friend. Banquo has noticed a strangeness in Macbeth's behavior, but assumes it is merely a reaction to the new honor (Thane of Cawdor) he has suddenly received. Macbeth and Banquo maintain their friendship into Act II, when Banquo mentions the witches. Macbeth lies, saying he never thinks of them, but tells Banquo that he would like to discuss them further.
Is it ambition that overcomes his reason here? He has accepted the Witches’ predictions in respect of himself, but, illogically, he will not accept them as they apply to Banquo. Does his ambition die after his visit to the Witches? Is this seen in his anti-life speech when he says that life “is a tale told by an idiot…..signifying nothing?” (5:7) We see Lady Macbeth’s ambition, “Glamis thou art and Cawdor; and shall be what thou art promised..” and “I feel now the future in the instant.” (5:6). Her ambition is satisfied, but it gives her no contentment.
Another quotes backs up the point that Duncan is giving is in Act 1 Scene 5 which is “But signs of nobleness like stars shall shine on all deservers” in this case it will relate to what is said by his son Malcolm when he is King. Duncan also has some worser points for example in Act 1 Scene 6 “This castle hath a pleasant seat; the air nimbly and sweetly recommends itself unto our gentle senses.” This shows that Duncan is too trusting of Macbeth and doesn’t realise the consequences of putting
The paradox, ‘’fair is foul and foul is fair’’ appears as a rhyming couplet at the end of Act 1, it also acts as a double entendre, as it can be perceived as that the witches are describing themselves, their appearances our foul, though their prophecies are appealing and hence, fair for Macbeth. However, the quote can also be depicted as the ongoing motif of the whole text, that nothing is what it seems, this is shown through Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s actions. Lady Macbeth is portrayed by her peers as a ‘’gentle lady’’, however, when she is with Macbeth, her true personality arises, clearly detailing that she is the mastermind behind Macbeth’s relentless killings. As to Macbeth, he is portrayed as a highly regarded, honourable, noble soldier, but due to many variables he ends his life as a coward, corrupt by power and misleading conspiracies. The paradox of ‘’fair is foul and foul is fair’’ is evident within the theme of good and evil in relation to the witches.
From the moment the witches planted the idea in Macbeth’s mind, there was nothing stopping him from becoming king. Macbeth was determined and ready to grab what he wanted, even if it was for the wrong reasons, and involving the most heinous of crimes. “If chance will have me king, why chance may crown me without my stir.” Shakespeare used two main writing techniques to depict ambition in this play; the structural feature of dialogue and the language feature of imagery. Since Macbeth was written as a play, what Shakespeare wrote was made up of only dialogue in script form as well as stage directions on the side. He did brilliantly in using the dialogue to portray what characters were feeling and thinking.
Reid Patterson November 20, 2014 ENGL 231 The Importance of Shakespeare Even I knew about Shakespeare as a child. I’m honestly not sure how I knew about him and that he wrote the amazing, but tragic story of Romeo and Juliet. I didn’t grow up in a household that loved him or his works, but somehow I still was able to be aware of how great he was at writing. I learned about him in junior high, and realized he could write with intense precision. My English teacher from High School once conveyed that Shakespeare played a hand in shaping our English Language.
We learn of his heroic actions in defence of the kingdom. We see Macbeth change from the valour character to an sinister blood thirsty murderer. Although, some might argue that Macbeth did not have evil intentions. In the play, when Macbeth has his first encounter with the Witches, he is with his good friend Banquo. At first Macbeth is taken back by the Witches’ appearances but when they finish their apparition, Macbeth yearns to know more about his future.