An Analysis Of Macbeth's 'Fair But Doing Foul'

Being Fair but Doing Foul

The play “Macbeth” is one of William Shakespeare’s most timeless pieces. The plotline of the play follows the actions of Macbeth, a Scottish royal who takes action to ascend in the royal ranks after interacting with supernatural forces. The piece discusses Macbeth’s transformation using themes of human flaws such as ambition, greed or power-lust. Although it might seem that he is driven to evil by outside forces, the person to blame for the killing in the play is Macbeth. Throughout the major plot-points of the play, the “protagonist” proves the old adage correct: actions do speak louder than words.

As the plot progresses, the reader is exposed to Macbeth’s need to quench his thirst for kingdom. Up to the second act

The diction in the quote, along with the rhyme at the end helps the reader associate Macbeth with dark and unnatural characteristics. The relationship Shakespeare creates between the words “knell” and “bell” is interesting, as they are both words associated with death and afterlife; a clear indicator of Macbeth’s deadly intentions. Also, the killing of Duncan by Macbeth can be viewed from an ironic standpoint. At the beginning of the play Duncan cannot stop praising Macbeth while condemning the thane of Cawdor who betrayed him. The murder of Duncan stands in complete opposition to what the other characters know of Macbeth, but as the play ultimately shows, Macbeth’s actions do speak louder than his words. Nevertheless, some might still argue that Lady Macbeth is the one responsible for Duncan’s killing, as she is the one who manipulated him into the act. As Macbeth contemplates on whether to kill or not to kill, Lady Macbeth says, “Art thou afeard…Wouldst thou have that Which thou esteem’st the ornament of life, and live like a coward?” (I vii 39-43). It is seen that Lady Macbeth challenges her husband’s judgment and manliness. She says he is “afeard” and that he is a “coward”, this presents the reader with the lady’s manipulative mindset, and opens up the idea of her being the culprit. Although making him think that he is only a man if he kills Duncan is an action to be reckoned with when looking at who is amiss, it is only the idea that leads to the action. Only with a deeper look can one understand that lady Macbeth is not the “smoking gun” of the play, as Macbeth himself is the one who decided to literally cause Duncan’s demise. As the play continues, Macbeth reveals his murderous nature yet again, as he does not tell apart friends from