The words “Foul” and “Fair” are generally used together throughout the play Macbeth. They rarely appear without being compared to one another and this has a significant effect to the theme and development of the story. However, the words are used separately only a few times. Fair; is used to describe beautiful ladies, one being, Lady Macbeth who was described as fair by King Duncan. Duncan’s description of Lady Macbeth is ironic because Lady …showed first 75 words of 278 total…

…showed last 75 words of 278 total…merely at what is good or fair for them. Shakespeare is also saying in the play Macbeth that desire is the root of all greed and foulness, he demonstrates the power of greed and desire which is greatly inspired by the witches chant to Macbeth “fair is foul and foul is fair”, this chant drives Macbeth and his wife to look past the consequences greed and push towards what they believe is “fair” for them.