“So foul and fair a day I have not seen.” (MacBeth I.iii.36) In MacBeth, appearance and reality are reversed in a complex paradox that can be broken down into a simpler form - good is bad, and bad is good. This major theme permeates throughout the play, from MacBeth’s introductory quote (above), to the final events that bring him to his ultimate downfall. I will elucidate the importance of the theme by examining the witches and their prophecies, the actions that transpire at MacBeth’s castle, the parallels viewed by Lady MacBeth and Lady MacDuff, the intriguing discussion between Malcolm and MacDuff, and finally, the contributing impact of the apparitions.
The witches and their prophecies contribute to the theme early in the play, when …show more content…
He meets Malcolm at the English Court. His hopes of restoring justice are quickly diminished, as Malcolm proceeds to express that he is worse than MacBeth, and accepts and praises his evil actions. He adds, “Nay, had I power, I should pour the sweet milk of concord into Hell, uproar the universal peace, confound all unity on Earth.” (IIII.iii.107-110) In response to Malcolm’s morally incorrect words, MacDuff expresses his disgust by stating, “Fit to govern? No, not to live. O nation miserable!” (IIII.iiii.102,103) In belief of MacDuff’s good intentions, Malcolm then retracts his lies, and embraces MacDuff as a worthy ally. Malcolm’s appeared foul vices, that are discovered to truly be fair (used to gain his trust), thoroughly enhances the complicated theme. They then set off to Scotland to rebel against the tyrant, …show more content…
The first apparition expectedly warns him to beware MacDuff, while the second one claims that no man born of woman shall harm him. The third apparition then more specifically states that, “MacBeth shall never vanquish’d be until, Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill shall come against him.” (IIII.i.91-93) Due to the fairness of the previous prophecies, MacBeth takes these statements at face value, and his confidence soars. However, when the English army of ten thousand men approach his castle carrying branches, he numbly expresses that, “I pull in resolution and begin to doubt th’equivocation of a fiend that lies like truth ‘Fear not, till Birnam Wood do come to Dunsinane,’ and now a wood comes toward Dunsinane.” (V.v.41-45) The seemingly fair prophecies turned foul, as they tricked MacBeth with double meanings (MacDuff kills MacBeth because he was born from a Caesarean section, and the soldiers carry branches that relate to the woods approaching figuratively), and prove to be
The witches and their prophecies contribute to the theme early in the play, when …show more content…
He meets Malcolm at the English Court. His hopes of restoring justice are quickly diminished, as Malcolm proceeds to express that he is worse than MacBeth, and accepts and praises his evil actions. He adds, “Nay, had I power, I should pour the sweet milk of concord into Hell, uproar the universal peace, confound all unity on Earth.” (IIII.iii.107-110) In response to Malcolm’s morally incorrect words, MacDuff expresses his disgust by stating, “Fit to govern? No, not to live. O nation miserable!” (IIII.iiii.102,103) In belief of MacDuff’s good intentions, Malcolm then retracts his lies, and embraces MacDuff as a worthy ally. Malcolm’s appeared foul vices, that are discovered to truly be fair (used to gain his trust), thoroughly enhances the complicated theme. They then set off to Scotland to rebel against the tyrant, …show more content…
The first apparition expectedly warns him to beware MacDuff, while the second one claims that no man born of woman shall harm him. The third apparition then more specifically states that, “MacBeth shall never vanquish’d be until, Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill shall come against him.” (IIII.i.91-93) Due to the fairness of the previous prophecies, MacBeth takes these statements at face value, and his confidence soars. However, when the English army of ten thousand men approach his castle carrying branches, he numbly expresses that, “I pull in resolution and begin to doubt th’equivocation of a fiend that lies like truth ‘Fear not, till Birnam Wood do come to Dunsinane,’ and now a wood comes toward Dunsinane.” (V.v.41-45) The seemingly fair prophecies turned foul, as they tricked MacBeth with double meanings (MacDuff kills MacBeth because he was born from a Caesarean section, and the soldiers carry branches that relate to the woods approaching figuratively), and prove to be