
Originally Posted by
ripley
The scene of the three witches introduces the theme of equivocation, whose darkest, most dangerous aspect is the reversal of values exemplified by the three witches’ words “Fair is foul, and foul is fair”. That is that bad becomes good and viceversa.
Closely related to this theme of equivocation is the one of false appearances. That is the difference between what is true and what only seems to be true; this theme is connected to the three witches because they are supernatural beings, but they are made believable in a work which has been removed from historical truth, from any normal practical common sense.
Another important theme is that of time; the first word of the scene is connected with time and introduces a question about the future. The answer is expressed in terms of place; this confusion of time and place is only the first of the long series of reversals that dominate the play.