Theme Of Fate And Freewill In Macbeth

and obtains the title, which trigger an arrogant and self-absorbed thinking leading to madness and finally, death. The play seems to bring up the question, whether Macbeth is fully responsible of his own destiny, or under control of fate. In the first glance, the play seems to take rather fatalistic direction, meaning that we are powerless to make decisions as they are inevitably determined by supernatural power (Hugh 1)) It is due to the presence of supernatural forces throughout the whole play that systematically fulfills the prophecy; therefore the witches represent the idea of fate in the play. However, Shakespeare seems to rather intertwine fate with free will and perhaps even promotes the second philosophy as the play evolves.

Macbeth knows that the witches’ prediction will come true due to his experience with the first prophecy. Nevertheless, he asks about his downfall to try and prevent it. Macbeth’s ambition to become king is so strong that he will try to twist destiny satisfy his ambition.

Both sides are very valid arguments. I firmly believe that Macbeth was controlled by fate. He was cursed by witches at the beginning, it set the rest of his life in stone. What the witches said would happen happened and the seems like a pretty good picture of fate. Fate is defined as “the development of events beyond a person's control, regarded as determined by a supernatural power.

“Hail, king! For so thou art. Behold where stands th’usurper’s cursed head: the time is free…” It was indeed a fatal end that could have been evaded had Macbeth not been told his prophecies. Macbeth’s prophecies could have been exactly that had he not known about them.

From honored soldier to murderous tyrant, Macbeth killed his way into power. He was informed of his “destiny” and stopped at nothing to achieve it. He had multiple chances to rethink his actions. He didn 't however, he kept on his march to power leaving only himself to blame. Macbeth is the only one to blame for his actions and ultimately, his death.

in Act 3 Scene 3, “The three murderers attack,” Macbeth sent three murderers to kill Banquo and his son, Fleance. According to the witch’s prophecy, Banquo would be the

Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor, All hail Macbeth! Thou shalt be king hereafter” and to Banquo “… Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none” (Act 1, Scene 3). After Macbeth hears of his promotion to Thane of Cawdor, he quickly begins to believe the witches and prophecies

At the start of the play, Macbeth visits the witches with Banquo at the closing of the battle. The witches speak to Macbeth and Banquo and get the idea of a prophecy in Macbeth’s mind. “All hail Macbeth, hail to thee, Thane of Glamis./ All hail Macbeth, hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor./ All hail Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter” (1.3.46-48). When the witches get the prophecy in Macbeth’s mind, he believes it will come true and misunderstands the prophecy of the witches. Although the witches make Macbeth believe in the prophecy of becoming the King, Macbeth is responsible for his downfall because they do not recommend Macbeth to kill Duncan.

The Thane of King Duncan, Macbeth hears a prophecy that he himself will become king later on in the future after King Duncan. This then leads to Macbeth being overcome by greed. Since Macbeth greeds to be king so bad, he murders King Duncan and takes his place of the throne. Macbeth starts to live with so much guilt and fear that he commits even more murders to have his power safe. Macbeth is so confident in the prophecies that his life comes to a downfall and he gets killed by the people he did wrong.

This fate and option of free will, is seen throughout the play yet shows itself prominent in Macbeth. With a strong presence throughout the book fate and free will finds its way in every aspect of the story. The first depiction of fate and free will in the play is the interaction between the witches and Macbeth. This instance is the start of the paradoxical path the story follows. The witches tell Macbeth his fate is to be king and that no man born of woman will be able to harm his life.

Fate Versus Free Will In Macbeth Fate versus free will is a theme well known throughout literature and in life as well. Is life controlled by fate, or are people’s lives dependent on the choices they make? In Macbeth, Shakespeare emphasizes the idea of fate vs. freewill, indicating that both elements play a role in the lives of individuals, as well as society as a whole. The main character, Macbeth’s, life is a combination of fate and his conscious decisions. The witches in Macbeth can control the fates of many, but only to a point.

Macbeth fate started of when he met the witches at the battle field after winning the battle against Macdonwald. The three witches predicted that he will become the Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth believes their prediction “ If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me Wthout my stir”

‘Macbeth’s ambition is his only weakness’. Do you agree? Macbeth’s greatest weakness is his ambition, but it is also his greatest strength. Despite his ambition being one of his major weaknesses, it is not his sole weakness he exhibits that contributes to his inevitable death.

The witches in the story represent fate, the murders and cover ups represent free will. It is possible for both to co-exist within this Shakespearean tragedy and here is how. The witches’ prophecies represent fate, they describe the end result, which is evident throughout the play because everything happens as such. Everyone has a path in life and the story of Macbeth very well showed this observation.

Exploring Macbeth’s guilt, influences, and Shakespeare’s theme of fate versus free will supports further blame on Macbeth’s actions. Unquestionably, Macbeth becomes insane as a result of his devious actions. So to answer the question: if an individual has free will, then is that person responsible for his or her crimes, the tragedy of Macbeth provides the absolute answer to this