Shakespeare consistently uses the phrase “Fair is Foul, and Foul is Fair” in his play, Macbeth. The meaning of the phrase suggests that appearances can be deceptive and that what may appear good or right on the surface may be morally corrupt or foul underneath. Likewise, something that may seem foul or evil may actually be right or beneficial. The expression embodies the piece’s exploration of vagueness. the lines between good and evil and the characters' struggles with moral choices and their consequences. Say No to Plagiarism Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay “Fair is Foul, and.” Foul is Fair”: the meaning and use of the expression. The phrase "Fair is Foul, and Foul is Fair" is a creative use of literary devices with consonance in the repetition of the "f", symbolism of the foul nature of witches and Macbeth. external representation of heroism despite his internal cowardice. The blatant paradox predicts Macbeth's deception about the witches' prophecies regarding his life, and whether they were righteous or foul. The first act of the first scene describes the meaning of the phrase perfectly, explaining how appearances can be deceiving. The witches sing the phrase in this scene from Macbeth "The fair is foul and the foul is fair: fly over the fog and the dirty air." This is partly because people associate witches with evil and darkness and because they play an "unclean" role and are not exactly "fair" in their relationships. In another incident, Macbeth himself uses it when describing a day that is fair and foul at the same time. at the same time because even if he wins the war, there is massive loss of life and bad weather. “A day so beautiful and so bad that I have not seen.” There is a constant repetition of the phrase on other occasions. The line simply emphasizes that things are not always as they seem and that what people see or think is not always what they really are. Therefore, perhaps Shakespeare uses this phrase a lot in this particular play to emphasize the great inconsistency that exists between appearance and reality. Although the entire phrase is a complex logic, it easily suggests that the world is full of surprises and that it is impossible to tell whether something is a mirage, an apparition, or reality. The use of the phrase could be compared to the recent labeling of two-faced leaders and liars as "wolves in sheep's clothing." Macbeth's burning desire for kingship proves to be his downfall as his ambition greatly blinds him. The witches' initial prophecy that Macbeth might eventually become king elicits a strong reaction of fear that does not hide the fact that he already had it in mind. The witches profess “All Hail Macbeth!” Thane of Glamis. Hail Macbeth, thane of Cawdor. Let us all salute Macbeth who will now be king.” His reaction sufficiently describes his anxiety to sit on the throne, which leads him and his power-hungry wife to embark on a journey of evil deeds. For example, Lady Macbeth's push leads Macbeth to become so ambitious that he kills King Duncan, then embarks on a rule based on threats and paranoia. Ambition, when followed by the right actions and procedures, is a good thing. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay However, when people become as ambitious as the mischievous.