Shakespeare concludes scene i of Macbeth with a couplet: "Fair is Foul and Foul is Fair:/Hover through the fog and filthy air." A couplet usually marks the end of a sonnet, so it is interesting that Shakespeare chooses to end the opening scene of Macbeth with a couplet; it seems he is not only ending the scene, but also concluding that the play will begin and end in moral confusion. In additon, "Fair is Foul and Foul is Fair" distorts the typical moral order of good and bad, right and wrong, and good and evil. Moreover, it is funny that by using a couplet to begin the play, instead of end it, Shakespeare distorts the "order" of the play.
Another intruiging line in the opening scene is the second witch's response to the first witch's question "When shall we three meet again?" The second witch replies, "When the battle's lost and won." It is important to take note of the word "and," as it shows the "battle" will be both lost AND won, not lost OR won. This introduces even more confusion. What might this mean?
Another intruiging line in the opening scene is the second witch's response to the first witch's question "When shall we three meet again?" The second witch replies, "When the battle's lost and won." It is important to take note of the word "and," as it shows the "battle" will be both lost AND won, not lost OR won. This introduces even more confusion. What might this mean?
