In Act 1scene 2 the witches say a very famous and important quote that I think suggests the ‘motto’ of the whole play or the hidden message that is expressed through Macbeth. It says “ Fair is Foul, Foul is Fair,” this is a hint or clue to the tragedy that will befall Macbeth in the first scene as it links to the rest of the play and Macbeths downfall because it could suggests that although Macbeth would think that it is only fair that he becomes King, he achieves his ambition through a foul method. This is what the witches might be suggesting when they said this quote. Also it could propose that the witches are playing a ‘game’ with Macbeth and they think that everything is ‘fair in love and war.’ The confusion this causes would make it hard for Macbeth to realize what is right and what is wrong. Macbeth properly thinks that he is doing the right things but actually he is so puzzled, maybe because of the witches and then later because of Lady Macbeth that he doesn’t recognize the immoral acts he has committed. The quote is like a cycle as it goes around and around because firstly, it was only fair for Macbeth to become the Thane of Cawdor but it was foul for him to become King in an immoral method. Then later in the play he thinks that it was fair for him to kill Banquo whereas it was unfair and very foul. Some may think it was fair for Lady Macbeth to commit suicide as she was seen as an evil and witch –like figure. Also it was unfair of Macbeth to kill Lady Macduff and her children and finally, in the end it was a fair act by Macduff to kill Macbeth as Macbeth had turned into an evil being. Also Macbeth then repeats this quote again in Act 1 scene 3 he says, “So fair and foul a day I have not seen.” This shows the witches and his link to them. The fact that the say the same thing shows how closely they know each other or it means that the witches have already started a spell on Macbeth and they have made him into a ‘puppet’ so that he does and says what ever the witches want him to say. This means that Macbeth will fall in a tragic way as he is under the control and influence of the evil weird sisters.
What would the play be like without the first scene including witches? Although the answer is varied, I think that the first scene is important as it links to the downfall of Macbeth because in order to foretell the tragedy of Macbeth it had to be there so that it could predict the future and gives us hints or clues in telling what will happen to Macbeth and how he is linked to the witches. It also leaves the audience in suspense and traps the audience into the play so that they read or watch it further. The witches themselves are used to foretell the tragedy of Macbeth as in the late 1606s, witches were seen as evil, demonic as well as satanic creatures. The play was written to entertain King James 1, who had a certain fondness for witches. The fact that they were frightening beings and evil shows that as they mention Macbeths name shows that there is an evil link between them and as always-good triumphs over evil, which suggests that Macbeth will fall.
Act 1 scene 2, the sergeant tells the audience that “… Spring whence comfort seem’d to come Discomfort swells.” This is a hint because ironically their comfort becomes their discomfort. The quote suggests that Macbeth who is their shield against enemies is actually a dagger hiding behind the shield and can strike any moment. It shows that Macbeth is very dangerous and evil which means that something evil will also happen to him. Macbeth proves to be a discomfort when King Duncan arrives at his castle as a guest and although he thought he was comfortable and safe in Macbeths castle, he actually dies there as Macbeth murders him. This oxymoron of comfort and discomfort closely links to “Fair is Foul and Foul is Fair” because it shows that Macbeth is foul as he killed the King in his own house while the King was sleeping. The King thought that he was comfortable but in fact he died uncomfortably ironically in a comfortable place. This was unfair, as the King could not even defend himself against the attacks by Macbeth. After this many people around him especially Banquo become frightened as well as suspicious of Macbeth and this eventually leads to Macduff suspecting Macbeth and the fulfilment of the witches prophecy that he will die from Macduff’s hands. This also shows that it is hard to know who to trust as the nearest of friends and the most loyal maybe the biggest enemies as well as the biggest betrays you have. The quote above could also refer to Lady Macbeth because she eventually feels uncomfortable of her and her husband’s deeds and this leads to her sleepwalking and then her death that opens a gate inside Macbeth in Act 5 scene 1 which releases more evil that is not under the influence of the witches, this eventually leads to his downfall.
The original Thane of Cawdor who is introduced in Act 1 scene 2 was also an evil, disloyal betrayer who was caught and hanged. Ross says “…most disloyal traitor the Thane of Cawdor,”there is a noticeable link between the original Thane and Macbeth. I think that there is a curse put on the Thane of Cawdor maybe by the three weird sisters. This is because people in the1600s believed in supernatural occurrences and happenings and believed there is no such thing as coincidence therefore if the first Thane of Cawdor was disloyal and a traitor and so was Macbeth then there must be a supernatural explanation which means that a curse could have been placed on this title. Macbeth was also caught by Macduff and was killed. This shows that Macduff who signifies good defeated Macbeth who symbolises evil. This is another oxymoron. The quote said by Ross shows that if the original Thane of Cawdor was a traitor and was disloyal so will be the new Thane and suggests something bad will also happen to Macbeth too. The first Thane of Cawdor was very selfish and very greedy for fame and fortune; Macbeth also kills the King for these similar reasons. Good versus evil is one of the themes of the play and the fact that the original Thane of Cawdor and Macbeth are both defeated by good characters shows that good will defeat evil and exceed it every way. This also means that people who are very selfish and can use dreadful methods to achieve their goal will one day be discovered and then punished as bad things happen to bad people.
Another quote explains the downfall of Macbeth; it says, “ What he hath lost noble Macbeth hath won.” There is irony in this quote because it suggests that what the original Thane of Cawdor has lost, Macbeth has gained it; which means that Macbeth has inherited the evil from the original Thane. It could also suggest that Macbeth has gained a way into fulfilling his ambition and desire of becoming King and also he was one step closer in confronting the witches and one step closer to his death. This quote is at the very end of the scene so that Shakespeare can create suspense and build up the tension in order for the audience to ponder on its meaning and what it suggests or what it is hinting at. Some of the audience may discover that Macbeth has been chosen to be the next Thane of Cawdor as it says he will win what the previous Thane has lost. This shows that the witch’s prophecy has already been put into action before they tell Macbeth because King Duncan says this quote to reveal that Macbeth will be given the title of the Thane of Cawdor, as this is the main thing that the original Thane has lost. This could also mean that the witches have not prophesised this as it is already going to happen because the King has decided to give Macbeth the title of the Thane of Cawdor as his reward for rescuing Scotland and defeating Norway in the battle. This means the witches are lying and this suggests that Macbeth is easily manipulated, this is his weakness and this weakness may lead him to his downfall and death.
In Act 1 scene 3 the witches meet again as they said in “thunder” and “on a heath”. This setting is very dark, dangerous, mysterious, wild and unnatural. This almost describes the witches themselves! All these characteristics are closely linked to evil. The settings such as “thunder”, “lightening” and “rain” as described by witches in Act 1 scene 1 represent the coming of a storm. A storm always brings destruction and devastation where ever it goes. Are these warnings or witches casting a spell to control the weather so that it suits their nature? The storm could symbolise the witches or Macbeth but eventually a storm would calm down just like Macbeth will fall. Also when King Duncan arrives to Macbeth’s castle it was raining and there was thunder. Bad weather symbolises bad tidings. It is ironic because when there is a storm people seek shelter just like King Duncan when it was raining however he was in the middle of the storm. Also this suggests that Macbeth is a dangerous weapon and can kill any moment without any warning, this shows he is evil, which means that he will lose in the end, as good will be victorious.
Later in Act 1 scene 2, Macbeth is complimented by giving him the title of Bellonas Bridegroom. Bellona is the Goddess of War. Ross says “ till Bellona’s bridegroom, la’pped in proof,” in this scene to show the importance and the respect given to Macbeth. It shows that he is the equivalent to a God. The fact that he is complimented as Bellona’s husband shows that Macbeth is good as this is a high compliment. This suggests that Macbeth is portrayed as a very respected and honoured figure among the army of Scotland. This is ironic because Macbeth is linked to both the witches who worship the devil and then he is considered as the husband of a Goddess. This shows that Macbeth had a choice to choose a side whether he wanted to be a God or the Devil but Macbeth choose to listen to the witches in Act 1 scene 3 and therefore he choose the evil side, which results in only tragedies and sorrows.
On the other hand the quote can have a deeper meaning as it could suggest that Macbeth is evil. This is because he is described as the husband of the Goddess of War, which makes him the God of War and a God of War can only cause obliteration and chaos in the world. It could show that Macbeth is an evil character and suggests that something evil will happen to him as he is linked to an evil Goddess of War. . Also as Macbeth is the God of War and has connections to evil through the witches then this can only mean one thing- that Macbeth is evil himself and this leads to his tragic downfall.
In scene 3 Act 1 part of the witch’s prophecy comes true as Ross says to Macbeth “Call thee the Thane of Cawdor”. This reveals that if one part of the prophecy can be true then so can the rest and this is what Macbeth thought. This then started a chain of reactions, which eventually led him to his death. The witches tell him he will be king but they do not tell him how he will become king. The witches then leave the rest of the prophecies to be fulfilled by Macbeth himself without the witch’s interference and leave Macbeth to ponder on how he will become King. A dramatic effect is created as the witches leave Lady Macbeth to help them weave Macbeth’s destiny.
When the witches meet again they make another prophecy “ sleep shall neither night or day”. People often cannot go to sleep because of stress or troubles and sometimes because of a guilty conscience. This quote suggests that that something will happen and it will be evil as Macbeth will not be able to sleep day nor night because he has committed many crimes such as murder and treason. This then would mean that he would start to hallucinate as he will go weary and this means he will not be in his senses and this could result in him committing a crime. Sleepless nights will make Macbeth lose his concentration and make him very ill. Also a person does not sleep because of too much stress and too much things on their mind. This could suggest that a great tragedy will not allow Macbeth to sleep and therefore it would make it harder for him to focus and make right decisions. This will result in Macbeth’s tragic downfall. On the other hand, it could suggest that along side Macbeth Lady Macbeth will not be able to sleep and this happens in Act 5 scene 1 that Lady Macbeth begins to sleep walk and then she commits suicide because she couldn’t bear the guilt of her evil deeds. This then makes Macbeth more evil as it makes him heartless and arrogant as well as more dangerous because there is no one left in the world that he cares about so therefore he is emotionless.
In conclusion the first three scenes foretell the tragedy of Macbeth through various hints and clues and through quotes. Exploring the text allows the audience to pick up extracts that show the beginning of Macbeth’s downfall. The three scenes are very important in, as they are there to sustain the reader’s interest as well as allow the prophecies to be made before they are fulfilled. In many plays and films it is very often that the good prevails evil. This is the case in Macbeth; however, as Macbeth is a tragic tale it shows Macbeth as both a good character and then an evil character at the end. William Shakespeare is trying to say that if you are good then you are rewarded as Macbeth becomes Thane of Cawdor but if you are evil you are punished as the original Thane of Cawdor had been. As Macbeth was listening to the agents of the Devil, he was punished by death at the end.
