Fate vs. Free Will

            In Shakespeare's The Tragedy of Macbeth, there is a question as to whether or not Macbeth is driven by fate or free will. The three weird sisters approach Macbeth with prophecies that will all come true in the end. It would appear that Macbeth is just following destiny at first. 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. .
             In Act I, the three witches visit Macbeth and Banquo on the heath. The witches make three predictions; Macbeth will be the Thane of Cawdor, he will become King, and Banquo's sons will become king but not Banquo. Even though the witches did make these prophecies, Macbeth's fate was not sealed. Later in the same scene, Ross and Angus meet Macbeth. They tell Macbeth that he is now the Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth then reflects on the predictions and says, "Present fears are less than horrible imaginings" (I, vii, 139). Macbeth is relating his fear that he may have to do something violent in order to become king, but he hopes that it can come about by "chance". Almost immediately after the witches have visited him, Macbeth begins to make their prophecies a reality. He is almost trying to fulfill the tempting predictions, now that his mind is lustful for power, instead of remaining loyal to the King.
             It is once again apparent that Macbeth does control his own destiny when the witches make their second appearance to him. They show Macbeth three apparitions. These tell Macbeth that he must "beware Macduff;/ beware the Thane of Fife" (IV, i, 71-72), he will be king until Birnam Wood meets Dunsinane Hill, he cannot be killed by anyone born of woman. He then sees Banquo's descendants that will become kings. At this point in the play Macbeth is using the witches as a guideline for his life. The prophecy that he cannot be harmed by anyone born of woman creates a false sense of security within himself.