The statement that underneath the guise of hospitality is often hostility; an inability to see this hidden hostility that brings about a character’s downfall should be embraced because things don’t always appear as they seem, especially when manipulation is involved.
At the beginning of the play, the witches are waiting for the arrival of Macbeth and Banquo to reveal the prophecies that will lead to both character’s downfall. Before the witches meet with Macbeth and Banquo, they decipher how “Fair is foul, and foul is fair” (Shakespeare 1.1). 11). The adage is a adage. This antimetabole not only reverses the words, but also provides an epiphany to the audience. Furthermore, the paradox of the two self contradicting statements …show more content…
Finally, the alliteration of the phrase helps create a key sentence that is memorable to the reader. This phrase is the introduction to the motif of appearance versus reality. By having the statement be contradictory, but true alone, shows the balance that exists between the two. Hospitality appears welcoming, but is actually hostile in nature. Later, Macbeth and Banquo approach the witches, and Banquo is confused about their appearance: “you should be women,/And yet your beards forbid me to interpret/That you are so” (Shakespeare 1.3. 46-48. The aforesaid aforesaid aforesaid aforesaid aforesaid aforesaid aforesaid aforesaid aforesaid aforesaid aforesaid aforesaid aforesaid aforesaid The imagery of the witches' appearance demonstrates how confusing it is to interpret them as women. Furthermore, the contrast between masculinity and femininity present in the witches makes their appearance feel hostile. The witches do not invoke feelings of hospitality nor hostility, they are simply unworldly beings that cause Macbeth to engage in his own manipulation to his downfall. After delivering Macbeth’s prophecies, the witches include Banquo’s fate: “Lesser than Macbeth, and