English lit: Macbeth

English lit: Macbeth

1. "Fair is fouls and foul is fair"

   • First said by the withes in act 1 scene 1
   • Macbeth, in act 1 scene 3, says "So fair and foul a day I have not seen". He calls the day foul because he has just killed many people but calls it fair because has just won the war for Scotland
   • The meaning of this line is that though events, things, and people may seem good or bad; after careful examination, they turn out to be the opposite. An an example is like when in the first scene the say it about Macbeth when he is good but then he goes on a chain of doing bad things.
   • literary devices
     • Paradox: The phrase employs a paradox, as it foreshadows the deception of Macbeth, in that the prophecies of witches might lead him to greatness, but they would destroy him instead.
     • Symbolism: The witches are symbolic of foul, but give fair advice, and Macbeth outwardly appears to be a hero, but inwardly he is a coward and a plotter.
     • Consonance: Shakespeare uses consonance of the letter “f”, as fair, foul.

2. "Macbeth does murder sleep"

   • It is a sign of his guilt when Macbeth thinks he heard a voice say, "Macbeth does murder sleep."
   • Macbeth has taken advantage of what is supposed to be a peaceful state, and for the rest of the play sleep will represent a state of danger not so unrelated to death.
   • Sleep is a notable theme in Macbeth, especially because Macbeth kills King Duncan while he is asleep.