ENGLISH LITERATURE (CBSE/UGC NET)

FAMOUS PLAYWRIGHT POET AND OTHERS

MACBETH

Question [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
“Fair is foul, and foul is fair, “ is said by the witches. It is a riddle-like phrase that seems contradictory is also known as a(n) ____
A
paradox
B
oxymoron
C
simile
D
analogy
Explanation: 

Detailed explanation-1: -’ The witches are saying that what is fair to man is foul to the witches, but what men may see as foul, the witches see as fair. Put simply, the witches are seen as evil, but they see themselves as good. This paradox also tells the audience that appearances can be deceiving, a main theme in the play.

Detailed explanation-2: -The ‘fair and foul’ tool refers to sudden contraries, or reversal: something seems fair and then is revealed to be foul, or something seems foul and then we realize it’s fair. Let’s put this tool into practice by looking at several of the most famous moments in Macbeth. Banquo and Macbeth are confronted by the witches.

Detailed explanation-3: -Examples of Paradox in Literature: “Fair is foul, and foul is fair.” This paradox, spoken by the three witches, essentially switches the meanings of the words “fair” and “foul, ” serving to announce a key theme within Macbeth-that not everything is as it seems.

Detailed explanation-4: -paradox/ oxymoron A paradox is a logical puzzle that seems to contradict itself.

There is 1 question to complete.