Fair is Foul

The motif of "Fair is foul, and foul is fair" is used in several contexts in the play 'Macbeth' and can be interpreted in many different ways and in relation to many different characters. The line is used in the very first act and scene of the play, signaling its significance to 'Macbeth', and indeed the entire play is thereafter is based upon actions taken in order for Macbeth to receive the honor which he believes is due to him. Macbeth deserves honor for being such a great war hero (at least in his own and Lady Macbeth's minds), however, to receive what is 'fair' Macbeth commits the most foul of acts, the murder of the king, and of others. And so Macbeth and his wife make the world fair through foul acts. As for the second part of the motif, "and foul is fair", in this interpretation of it, this part is fulfilled in the killing of Macbeth, doing a foul deed to right the world once again. The motif can also be interpreted through the play to express the idea of foul true intentions, hidden behind fair faces. The prime example of this is Lady Macbeth, she comes across (to other characters) as kind and gentle, whilst she is the one who manipulates Macbeth into murdering the king. At one point Lady Macbeth supposedly faints from shock after hearing of Duncans murder, however as the audience we are privy to the truth and know that Lady Macbeth in fact plotted the deed herself and is simply hiding behind the mask of a fair, innocent lady.