macbeth key quotes ( corruption of nature) Flashcards
act 1- “ Fair is foul and foul is fair”
act 1(M)- “So foul and fair a day I have not seen”
The witches are presenting the audience with a paradox
The paradox suggests that the words of the witches might be in the form of riddles: confusing, or misleading, just as their prophecies are to Macbeth
Macbeth, without having met the witches, echoes their language:
This suggests he is already being led by them, or under their spell
This suggests to the audience that perhaps his “fair” character will be corrupted and become most “foul”
Act 2(M)- “Macbeth does murder sleep”
Shakespeare could be suggesting that in the act of murdering a king, he has murdered his own chance at peace – and perhaps eternal peace: Heaven
The voice he can hear might be interpreted as his own conscience
Act 4- “Macbeth shall never vanquish’d be until Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill shall come to against him.
The witches frequently speak in riddles
Later in Act 5, Malcom and the soldier march concealed with branches,
The wood was ‘marching’ towards Dunsinane - showing that Macbeth will be vanquished due to the witches prophecy
