What does the phrase 'Fair is foul and foul is fair' mean as expressed in Shakespeare's play Macbeth?

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It means basically that appearneces can be deceiving. Macbeth continuously shows this trait throughout the play. When Macbeth murders King Duncan, he pretends to be sorrowful and angry at the murders. His outward appearence does not match what he has done, making his appearence deceiving. This means his appearence is fair (good in the sense of loyal) but his true intentions is foul (evil and tyrannic intentions). A good example of this is in Act 1 Scene 5, Lines 72-73, when Lady Macbeth says "...Look like the innocent flower, But be the serpent underneath it..."

First answer by ID3229360670. Last edit by Em6049. Contributor trust: 5 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 6 [recommend question]

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