Witches , Key Quotes

Question 1

Fair is foul, and foul is fair.

Act 1, Scene 1

Answer 1

This line is from the witches in Act 1, Scene 1, and it introduces one of the big themes of the play- things aren’t what they seem.

Shakespeare uses Paradox, where two opposite ideas are put together: “Fair” is good and “foul” is bad. In this quote he is saying “foul” is good. Shakespeare is telling us that in this world, you can’t trust what you see.

Characters like Macbeth and Lady Macbeth seem good at first, but they turn evil.

This quote also uses alliteration which makes this line sound almost like a chant or a spell. This links it to the supernatural power of the witches , who are all about creating confusion and chaos.