Fate is a supposed power beyond human control that determines the outcome of events in ones life. If one's fate is told to him or her, as in a prophecy, does one have the power to change the outcome? Or is fate a power in itself that does not allow for any change? Can a person of great will and determination overcome a predetermined path? Do unnatural powers, such as witchcraft have the power to change fate? In William Shakespeare's Macbeth, these questions arise. Macbeth is described as a man who is brave and strong, a warrior. But what of his character, his moral fiber? After hearing a prophecy that is so tempting should it be true, Macbeth becomes consumed with ambition, greed, and treachery, destroying those around him and eventually himself. The prophecy sets the stage but the decisions that Macbeth makes seem to seal his fate, his path, and his destiny. .
The art of foreseeing the future and predicting ones fate is a gift the Weird Sisters have. By revealing Macbeth's fate to him, these witches not only give him a look into the future, they also enforce where his fate is taking him. "These Weird Sisters saluted [Macbeth] and referred [him] to the coming on of time with "Hail, King that shalt be""(1.5.8-9). Macbeth has never thought of himself as King before hearing the prediction. The prophecies the witches present to him place vivid images inside his head that begin to alter this strong and brave man; he questions it. "This supernatural soliciting cannot be ill, cannot be good"(1.3.143-1145) .
The witches begin a chain of events that Macbeth is unable is stop. The thought of being King, of having such great power, overshadows any goodness he may have had. The witches are an important part of Macbeth's destiny. The prophecy awakens his ambition and exposes what is going to happen to him in the future. The prophecy makes him think of things that he is uncertain about, evil things, murder, and greed.
Is it fate or free will that seals Macbeth fate in the play Macbeth? ... But other external influences guide in Macbeth's chosen fate. ... This example shows Macbeth's choice in committing King Duncan's murder. ... In conclusion, Macbeth tried to alter fate in order to fulfill the predications, but in the end his choices destroyed him. ... Macbeth was a victim of his choices. ...
The Downfall of Macbeth: Fate Versus Free Will Though fate may play a part in our lives, we have choices to make and we must accept responsibility for these choices, as well as the consequences. ... Although prophecies from apparitions motivated Macbeth's actions and ultimately played a detrimental role in his tragic downfall, he was not a victim of fate, rather he was a victim of his own poor choices. ... Macduff did eventually kill Macbeth but this was not fate. Had Macbeth not made the choice to kill the King and take the throne, Macduff would not have avenged the King's murder b...
In Shakespeare's The Tragedy of Macbeth, there is a question as to whether or not Macbeth is driven by fate or free will. ... However, Macbeth always had a choice throughout the play to choose his own fate. Macbeth journeys to his murderous doom through his own free choice. ... Even though the witches did make these prophecies, Macbeth's fate was not sealed. ... Macbeth also has this same choice. ...
Then there was also MacBeth himself. ... They were the ones who told MacBeth about his possible future, saying, "All hail, MacBeth! ... All hail, MacBeth! ... But, nevertheless, his fate is sealed for him when he finally returns home to Iverness and speaks with Lady MacBeth about the witches" predictions. ... He made his grown up choices, and therefore had to deal with the consequences that resulted. ...
[S] Initially, Macbeth is far from evil within: "Chance may crown me, without my stir," preferring to let fate lead his future. ... [S] Both Lady Macbeth and Macbeth experience sleeplessness. ... Macbeth, on the other hand, seems to do the exact reverse of Lady Macbeth. ... In Macbeth, Shakespeare uses the sleep and sleeplessness motif to represent Macbeth's and Lady Macbeth's consciences and the effect Macbeth's conscience has on the country of Scotland. ... Since he can not ride himself of his guilt by washing the blood away, his fate may have been sealed The blood on th...
In the case of Macbeth the plot is complex. ... In Macbeth the activating circumstance is the witches, for it is the witches that assist in the leading of Macbeth to his down fall. ... The witches however, do not make Macbeth's choices for him, they simple feed this ambition with prediction of greatness. ... In the beginning of the play Lady Macbeth urges Macbeth to kill King Duncan to achieve the crown. ... Once he makes the final decision to kill his king he seals his own fate. ...
Macbeth's conscience is heavily laid upon with guilt and he realizes he has sealed his fate. ... (Act II, scene III, pg. 69) When Macbeth makes the choice to kill Macduff's family, its not to make him angry it is to end his plan for rebellion against Macbeth. ... He has been killing in the hundreds and knows by now that his fate looks grim. ... When Malcolm comes to Macbeth in the castle, Macbeth does not believe he will lose. ... Once Malcolm informs Macbeth he was born unnaturally, possibly a premature birth, Macbeth knows it is the end. ...
Renaissance in England was a period of pomp, show and glitter, marked with growing sense of beauty and an increasing enrichment of life made through adventures, bravery and excess. The English period of Renaissance led to the breaking of the medieval knowledge and philosophy, infusing a new spirit of freedom, introducing a note of patriotism and national glorification, and also accompanying a revolt against the authority of the Pope. It was an age keeping pace with the bold adventures of men discovering new lands, and full of the work of scientists like Copernicus who had revealed man's t...