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Replies | Post Reply | Shakespeare Queries From Genuinely Interested Students 4.2.97: Top | Help
You wrote:
>>> I have been assigned to select a passage out of Macbeth and write
about how it illuminates the whole play. Thus i have chosen " Fair is
Foul and foul is fair, Hovers through the filthy air". My teacher wnats me to
go deeper than the fact that this epitomizes the whole flow of the play.
She wants me to divide "fair" into political, religious and moral meanings.
She expects me to do well. she is 'looking forward' to reading my paper. >)
Help will be much appreciated. Thanks!! <<<First, make certain you get the quote absolutely correct. The
version you posted here lacks a phrase (at least) which may help
in your interp (yeah, I know that accuracy is not as important
when you are typing on the "fly," but I want to make sure you
do not err over a simple matter).Now, as to your three divisions (or, perhaps, your
teacher's imposed divisions): I shall suggest some thoughts on ONE of the three.
I assure you that the same can be done with the others,
though...Political -- When things are 'fair" politically, this would
seem to suggest a time when the leadership is the "correct"
leadership. In other words, when the man who is supposed to
be in charge actually is, correct? Are you familiar with
the Divine Right of Kings? The Right Divine of Kings? Imagine
a modern situation in which the leader the people THOUGHT should be
in charge is not, and some usurper has taken over, instead.
Imagine (if you are American) that someone plotted to get rid of
an elected President, and managed to maneuver his or her way
into that position.
I live close to Chicago. A number of
years ago, a mayor (Harold Washington) suffered a heart attack.
He died. During the next three days, through clever
maneuvering, a man was able to manipulate the aldermen and
(illegally) take over as the mayor. There were bitter
battles (mostly words, although one fistfight occurred in
a city council meeting). Many voters and citizens were
convinced that something was "foul." Someone else, by law,
should have been the leader. Later, when an election could
finally be held, the voters spoke, and the "usurper" was
soundly voted out. This had nothing to do with his leadership.
The people sensed that he was NOT their "fair" leader -- he was
not the rightful leader. Things were somehow "wrong" or "foul"
or "unnatural" when he was the leader, and they wanted nothing
to do with him, regardless of how excellent his temporary
leadership had been.The play begins in a time of war. This, too may be seen as
politically "foul." Is this what prompts the line in the first place?
On one level, probably... What seems "fair" (the victory)
is actually "foul" in a way -- since this is the catalyst which
will end with Macbeth's promotion, Duncan's death, and an
"unnatural leader" on the throne.
What seems politically "fair" to Macbeth (the Kingship)
is actually quite "foul" if it costs him his own soul. It
is also quite "foul" if it gains him power which is only
temporary, and fleeting... It also is "foul" in that it
takes the lives of his best friend, many of his followers,
and even his own wife (who he truly seems to love, one might
argue...)The prophecies are (politically) fair, disguised as "foul,"
if one looks at them from Macbeth's point of view. They are
also quite "foul," yet in the guise as seeming "fairness"
if one looks at them from Scotland's point of view...Do these thoughts help?
-Bruce
Posted by Bruce Spielbauer on April 22, 1997 at 16:05:45
In Reply to "MACBETH; DEEP THOUGHTS" posted by Sung on April 21, 1997 at 18:47:02
Replies | Post Reply | Shakespeare Queries From Genuinely Interested Students 4.2.97: Top | Help