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. If we do not, then fate becomes a perfect excuse for one's actions. Macbeth, a famous play by William Shakespeare, is a classic example of fate versus free will as the character, Macbeth, undergoes a moral decline and eventual demise. 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. The prophecies of the apparitions, the pressures and manipulation of his wife and his own long-time ambition and desire to be King were the guiding forces which brought about Macbeth's destruction.
The prophecies of the apparitions started Macbeth's downward spiral of defeat by inspiring his thoughts and sparking his already present ambition. By looking at the first set of prophecies we see that the witches greeted Macbeth by the titles of Thane of Glamis (his current position), Thane of Cawdor (a recently awarded position though he was not aware of it at this point), and King of Scotland. When Macbeth learned of his new title which was misrepresented as a prophecy by the witches, he began to contemplate murdering King Duncan in order to realize the witches' prophecy of becoming King. Basically, the first two things the witches tell Macbeth aren't prophecies because they have already occurred. The third thing the witches tell Macbeth, that he will become King of Scotland, does come true. However, this did not happen because of fate. It happened because Macbeth made it happen. The witches didn't make Macbeth kill the King; they only tempted him. It was his own determination that led him to commit the crime. After receiving the prophecies from the witches and even before he reached home, Macbeth is overcome with the desire to be powerful and he cannot shake the thought of the King's murder as evidenced by the following quote.
Macbeth enters, attired as king. He is followed by Lady Macbeth, now his queen, and the court. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth ask Banquo to attend the feast they will host that night. ... The witches also declare that Macbeth will be king one day. ... Macbeth fixates on the details of the prophecy. ...
Macbeth Macbeth's downfall was generated by a combination of factors. These include Macbeth's greed, ambition, over confidence and Lady Macbeth's suspicious behavior. ... This track of thought leads Macbeth to kill Banquo. ... Damned fact how it did greave Macbeth! ... This is proof that lady Macbeth's undisciplined tongue aroused suspicion and contributed to Macbeth's downfall. ...
Macbeth is tragic play written by William Shakespeare in early 1606. ... Afterwards as Macbeth informs his wife about the three predictions he has learnt, she expresses herself more ambitious than Macbeth. ... When Lady Macbeth has no choice then she uses her tactics to stop Macbeth wimping out of Duncan's murder. ... As the witches warn Macbeth to be aware of Macduff. ... He is also weak before Lady Macbeth. ...
Throughout the play, Macbeth becomes more impaintent, secretive, and paranoid. ... Macbeth is not living in reality because when an equivocation is placed in front of him, "All hail, Macbeth! ... However, in the end his arrogance will cost Macbeth his life. Throughout the meetings between the witches and Macbeth, no lies were told. ... All the venom and evil in the play are always located in Macbeth's mind. ...
In the play "Macbeth" by William Shakespeare the protagonist Macbeth mindset changes throughout the play with certain events that influence his mentality. Macbeth undergoes a transformation, which changes his belief and opinions about his King. ... This perspective is altered once Macbeth interacts with the three witches. ... Macbeth after committing the murder of Duncan feels guilt from his crime. ... This is the transformed Macbeth who has nothing left to lose but his life. ...
In Shakespeare's play Macbeth, Macbeth is no pawn of fate. ... The prophecy of Macbeth becoming Thane of Cawdor had already come true, enhancing Macbeth's aspirations of becoming king. ... But, Macbeth was never destined to kill anyone. ... The three Weird sisters played a part within Macbeth's destiny, for they were the ones who foretold Macbeth's future. ... Macbeth knew what he was doing. ...
By offering to Macbeth the idea of power, the witches push Macbeth to the next level of greed and evil that did not exist prior to the encounter. ... This apparition confuses and frightens Macbeth. ... The dagger symbolizes the point of no return for Macbeth. ... Macbeth fears Banquo due to his prophecy to father kings, so Macbeth proceeds to plot the murder of his once friend, which spurs yet another brush with the supernatural. ... The use of supernatural in Macbeth caused Macbeth to become a darker and more evil person with each paranormal encounter. ...
"All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be King hereafter." ... Laugh to scorn the power of man, for none of woman born shall harm Macbeth." ... The apparition also ceases Macbeth's ability to think things through. ... This sure did kick the last leg out from under Macbeth's not so sturdy table. Macbeth's death shows that the witches were some bad dudes. ...
