Edexcel English Macbeth

Quotes

Detail behind "Fair is foul and foul is fair"

Shakespeare uses a fricative alliterative quote, connotes to the evil and satanic nature of the withces, the oxymoron depicts witches believe all good is evil and all evil is good showing that according to their knowledge the Biblical god is evil, there is a semantic callback to when Macbeth said "so foul and so fair a day I have not seen". 

What are the key themes, context and implications of "fair is foul and four is fail"

Contextually, Satanism and witchcraft are key themes in Macbeth and go against God who is an important figure in Jacobean era. The malovelent and harmful nature of witches who speak in trochaic tetrameter, infleuenced Macbeth causing his further downfall later in the play. This links to the Divine Right of Kings, the idea that the monarch is chosen by God.

Give some contrasting argument to imply about "fair is foul and foul is fair"

Another argument, contrary to the Great Chain of Being,holds that Macbeth is willing to give up his standing in order to obtain his power, this quote implies how morality has been turned upside down. This may be foreshadowing how the Great Chain of Being is unsettled through the act of regicide. Shakespeare further encouraged to use witchcraft in his play by James 1 numerous interests in the practice.

Technique used in "Noble Macbeth" - King Duncan

Old, respected King Duncan uses adjective 'noble' to describe Macbeth at the start of the play.

How can this quote be further seen

This quote can be juxtaposed to the quote "Devlish Macbeth" at the end of the play where Macbeth's tragic downfall spirals into his damnation. This can link to how Macbeth is his own antithesis as the idea that satanism and witchcraft can convert a person completely.

Further explain how and why shakespeare uses this quote 

These "noble" traits of Macbeth completely disappear, as Macbeth becomes closer to the throne he becomes more corrupt. Shakespeare explores how power corrupts minds of men and how impactful a king's reign is on his own country.

How can this quote have a contextual link?

This can link to Macbeth being love by God due to the Divine Right Of Kings, however it makes his downfall more tragic. To add to this, Duncan’s corpse is described with allusions to piety and royalty, reflecting how the death of a king is the demise of God’s appointed representative on Earth.

How does this reflect to the audience Shakespeare’s ideas?

Shakespeare’s ideas on monarchy and oppression are reflected in the effects that every death has on the natural world. He thought that in order to have stability, security, advancement a good ruler was required.

What are the themes to do with quote

Appearance vs reality, loyalty and honour, kingship and natural order.