The very sanction of sleep and repose is also attacked in Macbeth. It is strange and "foul" that he should think of religion after committing such an unholy act. It is also interesting to note that Macbeth is unable to say a prayer to bless himself after murdering Duncan. This implies that despite its "pleasant seat," (Act 1, Scene 6, Line 1) Inverness is a sinister and evil place. In addition, the very porter of Inverness likens the place to the dwelling of the devil Beelzebub. She is described, however, as a "fiendlike queen" (Act 5, Scene 6, Line 69) and exhibits a cold, calculating mentality. Both a woman and a host, she should be the model of grace and femininity. Furthermore, Lady Macbeth's orchestration of the murder exemplifies the twisted atmosphere in Inverness. This theme is further verified by King Duncan's statement "There's no art/ To find the mind's construction in the face." (Act 1, Scene 4, Lines 11-12) Although Macbeth has the semblance of the amicable and dutiful host, ("fair") he is secretly plotting Duncan's death ("foul"). Thus, Macbeth has a rather ghastly way of advancing in life. Macbeth became the Thane of Glamis by his father Sinel's death he became Thane of Cawdor when the former namesake was executed for treason and he was ordained King of Scotland after murdering the venerable Duncan. After hearing their prophecies, one can say that Macbeth considered the witches to be "fair" when in reality their intentions were quite "foul." Macbeth's possession of the titles of Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor and King of Scotland came by foul means.
Conversely, Macbeth immediately began to converse with these universally known evil creatures. When Macbeth and Banquo first see the weird sisters, Banquo is horrified by their hideous appearances. One of the most important themes in Macbeth involves the witches' statement in Act 1, Scene1 that "fair is foul and foul is fair." (Act 1, Scene 1, Line 10) This phrase aptly describes the macabre status quo within the character Macbeth and without.
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