The Theme Of Fair And Foul Is Fair Macbeth

“Fair is foul, and foul is fair” is a common theme demonstrated through the momentous play of Macbeth along with the relationship between power and titles (I, i, 10). The connection between these two concepts is that they’re detached. This is expressed throughout the play through multiple characters such as the Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, three witches, Hecate, and more. To begin, in the play, Macbeth earns three titles: Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor, and King of Scotland. When Macbeth gains the title of Thane of Glamis he holds power of a Scottish general and the title and power over Glamis, a village in eastern Scotland. In addition, even though Macbeth was Thane of Glamis, King Duncan had more power than him. Later, Macbeth gains the title of Thane of Cawdor, he then holds …show more content…
Then, Malcolm states that their “power is ready,” “Macbeth/ Is ripe for shaking, and the powers above” (IV, iii, 236-238). With this being said, it is validated that now that Macbeth holds the title of King of Scotland many people dislike and distrust him. This is demonstrated because due to Macbeth increasing in brutal actions such as killing Macduff’s family, he is hated as a tyrant. This causes Macbeth’s power to inevitably decrease because of the people being disloyal and distrusting him. Furthermore, Macbeth lacks control and unity over Scotland because even though he has one of the highest statures of nobility, his evil impulsive actions has caused his power (try not to say authority, because his authority is given by power)to decline. Secondly, Lady Macbeth plays a very essential role in the play as well as being one of Shakespeare’s most famous and frightening female characters. When she first appears in the play, she is already plotting the murder of King Duncan, and she is more ruthless, stronger, and more ambitious than her husband towards the desire for