In the first act of William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”, the recurring motifs of fate prophecy and concealed truth are use to display and contrast appearance versus reality.
Right from the opening scene of the play, the audience quickly realizes that not everything is as it seems. In this scene, the Three Witches briefly discuss their plans and set the moods for the rest of the play. However, the Witches’ intentionally state their words in a manner that is meant to confuse and mislead the audience. The Witches’ describe a paradox in their statement that “fair is foul, and foul is fair” (1.1.12). This shows how they are saying that two opposite things are the same as one another, which is impossible. Throughout the act, their speeches often have multiple meanings and the fact that they speak in alliteration and not in iambic pentameter, adds to the misdirection of their words. Therefore, these “imperfect speakers” (1.3.72) can easily convince and manipulate Macbeth when speaking to him.
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When Banquo and Macbeth meet the Witches, they are told that Macbeth will become the Thane of Cawdor and eventually the King. Banquo fears that the Witches’ prophecy will “enkindle [Macbeth] onto the crown” (1.3.130). This proves to be true as Macbeth begins to give serious thought to the Witches’ words, and even murder crosses his mind. Through this encounter, it is seen that the Witches appear to speak a prophecy, yet in reality, also influence Macbeth’s thoughts. For Macbeth, it is possible that face is what made his decisions, but the Witches’ definitely had an impact as well. In the sense, Macbeth unknowingly causes the prophecy to come true, simply because he expected it