Fair and Foul Roles “Fair is foul, and foul is fair.” Seldom do individuals know the true meaning of this phrase. Macbeth, a play by William Shakespeare, explores the differences between being wicked or sincere. Shakespeare’s play is about a man who seeks the crown and will destroy everything in his path to achieve that goal. The topics “fair” and “foul” have essential roles throughout this play, and they are further developed by Shakespeare's writing abilities. The crucial role that “fair” possesses is presented when Macbeth is introduced as a fair and valliant thane during the initial commencement of Shakespeare’s play. Macbeth had recently arrived back from winning the war against Macdonwald, who was a traitor towards Scotland. A sergeant explains to King Duncan, “For brave Macbeth---well he deserves that name---Disdaining fortune with his …show more content…
Lady Macbeth claims murdering King Duncan is the only way for Macbeth to acquire the throne, and when Macbeth decides he does not want to go through with the deed, Lady Macbeth is outraged. “Wherein you dress'd yourself? Hath it slept since? And wakes it now, to look so green and pale. When you durst do it then you were a man.” Lady Macbeth convinces Macbeth to go through with the plan, and if she had not done so, he would not have been morphed into a crazed lunatic, suspicious of all, friend or foe. When Macbeth is crowned king, he convinces two men that Banquo is the root of all their problems, and that he should be killed. “Who wear our health but sickly in his life, which in his death were perfect. Both of you, Know Banquo was your enemy.” This foul deed still does not stop what is prophesied, and in the end Banquo’s sons still become king. The “foul” concept in the play does contribute to a huge role, and other characters influence Macbeth creating a power hungry