In the tragedy Macbeth by William Shakespeare, the witches’ statement “Fair is foul and foul is fair” (1:1: 12-13: all page references from class text Macbeth, Folger Shakespeare Library 1992) foreshadows events in the play that come true through the actions of Lady Macbeth, Macbeth, and Fleance. Lady Macbeth appears to be fair and good to Duncan when he arrives to the castle, but she secretly plots along with Macbeth to kill Duncan. She manically states, “The raven himself is hoarse/that croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan/under my battlements/ Come, you spirits” (1:5:45-48). Lady Macbeth doesn’t perform the role of the good hostess as she told Duncan she would, but instead helps Macbeth carry out the murder of their most benevolent king.
