Examples Of Fair And Foul Is Fair In Macbeth

“Fair is foul and foul is fair”. This is possibly the most iconic quote from the play Macbeth. Written in 1606, Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, the play dramatizes the effect of the greediness for power, strong lust after a goal, and envy, all of which are three of the seven deadly sins that many people believed in during this day age of England, in which, Macbeth takes place. Macbeth was written about eleventh century Scotland, which was troubled, violent, and lead by feuding families. To make his plays as realistic as possible and as entertaining as he could, Shakespeare reflected history in his plays. In this case, there was an actual Macbeth and King Duncan (say when). The real King Duncan was possibly killed by the real Macbeth, who then

The main character, Macbeth, is a prime example of someone who embodies greed. “To be thus is nothing, but to be safely thus. Our fears in Banquo stick deep, and in his royalty of nature reigns that which would be feared.” ( III. i. 50-54 Macbeth). This dialogue comes from one of Macbeth soliloquies to himself. He has been crowned king, and all of the witches’ prophecies about him have come true, but he has become paranoid. If the prophecies about himself have come true, will not those concerning Banquo come to fruition? From this fear, comes his greed for more power and stability in that power. “Put rancors in the vessel of my peace only for them; and mine eternal jewel given to the common enemy of man, to make them kings, the seed of Banquo kings! Rather than so, come fate into the list, and champion me to th' utterance.” (III. i. 70-74 Macbeth). Here Macbeth’s greed comes into play again as the witches’ prophecy is weighing heavily on him and he cannot bear it. He is greedy and wants stability in his kingship, so he takes power into his own hands by becoming judge, jury, and executioner, as he sends assassins after Banquo and Fleance. However, as said before, greed is a sin, and those who sin are

Possibly the worst sin that Shakespeare warns about, envy is the sin that has no good whatsoever. While others such as lust may have immediate good effects then terrible effects later, no good comes from envy. It makes one so unsatisfied with oneself and fills one with hate for the one who one is jealous of, that it could permanently hurt you. This is something that is evident in Macbeth in the play. “The prince of Cumberland! That is a step on which I must fall down, or else o'erleap, for in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires; Let not light see my black and deep desires. The eye wink at the hand, yet let that be which the eye fears, when it is done, to see.” (1.iv.50-54 Macbeth). The Wyrd Sisters told Macbeth that he will be king. But how can he do that with Malcolm in the way as the prince? Malcolm has the future that Macbeth desperately wants, and that does not sit well with him. What else is there to do but kill Malcolm? It is painfully obvious that envy is a poisonous feeling with no good outcome. Later in the play, Macbeth has a different person to envy. “And to that dauntless temper of his mind, he hath a wisdom that doth guide his valor to act in safety. There is none but he whose being I do fear, and under him, my genius is rebuked, as it is said” (3.i.55-59 Macbeth). Macbeth has been crowned king and has gained the most powerful position in Scotland but he is not happy. The reason for his