Shakespeare uses characters and language to develop the idea that `foul is fair and fair is foul'. The witches in the opening scene of Act one present to the audience this idea. We witness the transformation that occurs in the first two acts from fair to foul of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. The innocent and fair king Duncan is treated most foul. Shakespeare also uses language and imagery to develop this idea in the first two acts.

The Witches play an important role in the play as they introduce the themes to the audience and seem to have a spiritual influence on what occurs in the first two acts.

The witches present to the audience the theme that will be portrayed in the play many times `fair is foul, and foul is fair'. This is chanted in the opening scene by all three witches and it is unclear...