Fair is foul, and foul is fair (8)

In this entry, I would like to focus on this statement “Fair is foul, and foul is fair” only. This statement attracts me even though it is not so important in the story. Previously, I was not aware of this statement and just read through the text as usual. Until the day when Sam translated it into Mandarin, I read it and felt this statement has a deep meaning. It is not only a common statement! Then, I start to search for its meaning. 

            I could only find some information about this statement. I think this is not a significant line in the whole story. So only a few people discuss about it. Never mind… Let’s discuss about this statement.

            Every story has protagonist and antagonist which means there are good and bad characters in a story. When I read the statement, I wonder what it actually means. I found a group of people who discuss about this at Q&A on the website. This is the link -->  http://www.enotes.com/macbeth/q-and-a/quote-fair-foul-and-foul-fair-by-witches-what-677. 

Let’s look at the first answer posted by gbeatty. She says that,

“On the most basic level, it means that things are reversed.               

To expand on that a little bit, it means two related things in general. First, it means that things that are good will become bad and things that are bad will become good. Second, it means things that look pretty ("fair") will become ugly ("foul") and things that are ugly will become beautiful.

The witches are referring first to themselves. They look ugly, but the predictions they offer are beautiful to Macbeth.

They are then referring to the entire world of the play.”

For the second response by tpritam, he says that,

“Fair and Foul are two controversial and opposite words.                 

 In this play they signify the goodness, prosperity, and the pleasing life of the chief hero Macbeth. On the other plane they signify the darker side of his would-be life.”

            Next, I shall show you comment from drrb. As I go through all the answers, I think this is the best elaboration and I love how he explained to the readers.  

“Macbeth according to Wilson Knight is a study in evil and darkness. The witches are the agents of evil and foul in the play. To the witches fair and foul are same. As Satan in Milton regarded ‘Evil’ as his ‘Good’, the witches too regarded ‘foul’ is their ‘fair’. This is riddle and the witches speak in riddles and paradoxes as they are mysterious beings of the universe. In the very opening of the play the witches appear in storm and rain and plan to have the rendezvous with Macbeth. As the three witches leave, they chant a witchy chant: "Fair is foul, and foul is fair: / Hover through the fog and filthy air" (1.1.11-12). As creatures of the night and the devil, they like whatever is "foul" and hate the "fair." So they will "hover" in the fog, and in the dust and dirt of battle, waiting for the chance to do evil. Fair is Foul and Foul is Fair" is a paradox, a statement that appears to be contradictory but actually expresses the truth. The witches are foul, but they give fair advice. Macbeth seems like a hero, but he is a plotter and dastard. It is quite interesting to note that the words of the witches will have an echo in Macbeth’s. “So foul and fair a day I have not seen”. Macbeth utters these words at the very first time he enters the stage. This shows the evil connection between Macbeth and the witches. This is suggestive of the psychological depravity of Macbeth who means that the day is foul because it is stormy and fair because he has won the battle against King of Norway and Thane of Cawdor.”

            From all of the answers, I would like to summarise what I understand about this statement. We have good and bad people in this world. Human has many different characteristics. Some are helpful, polite, selfish, heartless, kind, hardworking, loyal, disloyal, cruel and so on. Ask yourself, which is good and which is bad. Maybe you think selfish is no problem but your friends might think that selfish is bad. The words good and bad are abstract. It depends on how the person wants to interpret the meaning of the words. According to dssb, the witches regarded ‘foul’ is their ‘fair’. As for Macbeth, he changed from fair to foul after listening to the witches’ chants. To achieve his wish which is to be the King of Cawdor, he will do everything that crosses his mind without a second thought. 

            I would like to relate this situation to our current situation in this world. From daily news, I read a lot of issues which I think should not happen in this civilized era. We have brain to think before we act. But people nowadays are still the same. Behave like uncivilized moron! I read the latest news about a babysitter who whipped the babies yesterday. People will do anything for money. I can relate this useless babysitter with Lady Macbeth in Act 1 Scene 7 when she says,

“I have given suck, and know                                                              

How tender ‘tis to love the babe that milks me:                                       

I would, while it was smiling in my face,                                             

Have pluck’d my nipple from his boneless gums,                              

 And dash’d the brains out, …”

            What I am concern here is there is no more rule in this world. Oh…there are but the rules are not practised to those who have power or authority. This world is full of corruption. Good is accused as bad and bad can be good. It is like a snake can slide straightly for forever.                             

~ Emily Yoong Ai Nee ~ 154565 ~ Entry 8 ~