Theme Analysis: “Fair is foul, and foul is fair”
Throughout Macbeth, Shakespeare uses this ever-present theme of perspective to highlight the despicably deceptive actions perpetrated by the portrayed villains while also emphasizing the goodness of the heroes and their misfortune to further contrast the two parties. Through the demonstrations of the foulness and fairness of the characters, Shakespeare successfully expresses the value of perspective by calling attention to how there can be multiple interpretations of the same action or identity which is ultimately paradoxical as one thing can simultaneously have two or more opposing natures. By the end of the play, Macbeth is truly an evil man, but many question if he was initially evil or if the sudden opportunity and prophesies turned him into such an ambitious man, willing to stop at nothing to achieve
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By the end when Malcolm admits that he was simply verifying Macduff’s allegiance, both Macduff and the audience are unsure as to how many of his words were false as shown when MacDuff says, “such welcome and unwelcome things at once ‘tis hard to reconcile.” With this scene, Shakespeare calls the intentions of the “good guys” into question, thus furthering the idea that not everything is as it initially seems. Up until this scene, Malcolm seemed like the obvious choice of ruler, with strong moral fiber, but with this well-meaning deception, the possibility of a darker side is suggested. Despite how quickly he casts off the charade, for someone’s first time ever lying, Malcolm was convincing enough to have fooled Macduff. Therefore, with this scene, Shakespeare shows how those who appear to be fair have the potential to be just as foul as the