Shakespeare constantly makes use of the phrase "Just is foul, and foul is fair" in his play, Macbeth. The meaning of the phrase suggests that appearances can be deceiving, and what may seem good or right on the surface may be morally corrupt or disgusting underneath. Likewise, something that may seem disgusting or evil may actually be right or beneficial to the boundaries between good and evil and the characters' struggles with moral choices and their consequences. Say no to plagiarism Get a custom essay on “Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned” Get an original essay “Fair is foul and. Foul is fair”: the meaning and use of the phrase The phrase “Beautiful is foul, and foul is fair” is a creative use of literary devices with consonance in the repetition of “f”, symbolism of the disgusting nature of witches and Macbeth outward representation of heroism despite his internal cowardice. The obvious paradox predicts Macbeth's deception of the witches' prophecies for his life and whether they were right or wrong. The first act of the first scene perfectly describes the meaning of the phrase, explaining how appearances can be deceiving. The witches sing the line in this scene from Macbeth “Beautiful is foul, and foul is fair: soar through the mist and foul air.” This is partly because people associate witches with evil and darkness, and because they behave "badly" and aren't exactly "right" in their dealings. at the same time because even if he wins the war, there is huge loss of life and bad weather "I have never seen such a beautiful and ugly day." There is a constant repetition of the phrase on other occasions. The phrase simply emphasizes that things are not always as they seem and that what people see or think is not always what it really is. Therefore, Shakespeare probably uses this phrase so much in this particular play to highlight the great inconsistency that exists between appearance and reality. Although the whole sentence has a complex logic, it easily suggests that the world is full of surprises and one cannot tell whether something is a mirage, an apparition, or reality. The use of the phrase could be compared to the recent labeling of two-faced, lying leaders as “wolves in sheep's clothing.” Macbeth's strong desire to ascend the throne proves to be his downfall as his ambition greatly blinds him. The witches' initial prophecy that Macbeth might become king elicits a strong fearful reaction that fails to hide the fact that he already had it in mind. The witches profess “All Hail Macbeth! lord of Glamis. All Hail to Macbeth, lord of Cawdor. All hail Macbeth who will be king from now on.” His reaction sufficiently describes his eagerness to sit on the throne, which leads him and his power-hungry wife to embark on a journey of evil deeds. For example, Lady Macbeth's drive leads Macbeth to become so ambitious that he kills King Duncan, and then establishes a rule based on threats and paranoia. Ambition, when followed with the right actions and procedures, is a good thing. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay However, when people become as ambitious as the mischievous Macbeth and the even more devious Lady Macbeth, then it is definitely a recipe for chaos. Lady Macbeth actually confronts Macbeth and talks about his manhood in an attempt to pressure him into carrying out the murder plot to which he replies “Please, peace. I dare to do everything that can be suitable for a man. Whoever dares to do more is nobody." It seems that without his wife's pressure, Macbeth would not have.