I've always though this quote meant how macbeth was the fair one in the beginning, but then turns foul, while the witches are the one's foul to all, but predict something fair.
In Macbeth What Does "Fair Is Foul, Foul Is Fair Mean"?
"Fair is foul," : Fair isn't fair.
"Foul is fair." : Not being fair is fair.
I've always interpreted that line (spoken by the witches) to indicate the state of confusion after the battle. It also is a bit of foreshadowing that unnatural things are happening, which will culminate in Macbeth's murder of Duncan and his taking the throne. (Foreshadowing: Your sign of quality entertainment, as one on-line acquaintance used to write.)
Hope this helps. Anyone else have anything to offer?
Hope this helps. Anyone else have anything to offer?
It means that macbeth aPpEars Nice, but Is actually Soul.
Comment in this fair is foul,and foul is fair
I think it means "All's fair in love and war". As the rhyme continues "Hover through the fog and filthy air". Is this the witches preparing for flight? Or, their leaving their amazing statements to chance? Or, wanting an impressionable Macbeth to bring these statements to fruition? Shakespeare, writing in 1606, knew his new king was interested in witchcraft, (indeed James 1 had written his own treatise on the subject,) so included the witches in Macbeth for effect. As well as this, the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, had just been resolved, so Shakespeare included THAT in Macbeth also.
