Mrs. Gately
British Literature Honors
Name: _____________________________________
Period: _____________
Macbeth Act I
FAIR/FOUL THEME and USE OF CONTRASTS: Shakespeare uses the word “fair” and foul”
often to suggest the ambiguity of a situation or the concept of “illusion vs. reality”. Things are
not always as they seem in Macbeth.
The Witches set the tone in the beginning of the play with “Fair is foul and foul is fair” (12).
1. Line number 38 in scene 3 echoes the witches’ remarks. What does Macbeth mean by this
statement? Explain what he means by saying this.
2. Banquo mentions “fair” in line 52. Read over this speech. How does this fit in to the fair
and foul theme?
3. Explain the illusion vs. reality theme seen in the witches’ prophecies for Macbeth in scene 3.
4. Explain the fair and foul theme seen in Macbeth’s speech in scene 3 starting with line 128.
5. How do Duncan’s remarks about the Thane of Cawdor in scene 4 illustrate the illusion vs.
reality theme?
6. Examine Lady Macbeth’s orders in scene 5 to Macbeth starting with line 57. How do they
illustrate the illusion vs. reality theme?
Mrs. Gately
British Literature Honors
7. How do Duncan’s and Banquo’s comments about Macbeth’s castle in scene 6 demonstrate
the illusion vs. reality theme?
8. How does Lady Macbeth’s actions towards Duncan in scene 6 demonstrate the illusion vs.
reality theme?