Macbeth Fate vs. Freewill
Fate vs. Freewill
In Shakespeare’s Tragedy Macbeth, it is very debatable if fate, or freewill is what causes Macbeth to do the things he does through out the tragedy. Freewill is at work most through out the tragedy because Macbeth is convinced he can change or speed up the fate the three weird sisters prophesized for him at his own will. Throughout the play, Macbeth slowly begins to think he can modify his fate by using the prophecies told to Macbeth by the weird sisters and attempting to change them by his free will.
At the first encountering of the three weird sisters by Macbeth, they present to Macbeth a foreshadow of his destiny by saying, “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!” (I, iii, 48-50). They also say to Banquo “Thou shalt get kinds, though thou be none.;/ So all hail, Macbeth and Banquo!” (I, iii, 68-69). This is saying that although Banquo will not be king, his descendants will be. Shortly after this first encounter with the three weird sisters, Macbeth is encountered by two men named Ross and Angus that bring news to Macbeth saying he is titled the Thane of Cawdor, because the previous Thane had been sentenced to death. This gives evidence to Macbeth that the fate the three weird sisters foretold was really going along as determined, and Macbeth later says “If chance will have me king, why, chance may;/ crown me;/ Without my stir.” (I, iii, 146-148), meaning that Macbeth truly believes that fate will take care of making him king. It is apparent that the idea of Macbeth becoming King is all he wants and thinks about. Macbeth is then convinced that Malcolm, the son of Duncan, is an obstacle for Macbeth to become king, and states, “The prince of Cumberland! That is a step;/ on which I must fall down, or else o’erleap;/ For in my way it lies.” (I, iv, 50-53). Soon after Macbeth returns home to his wife Lady Macbeth, the plan to murder
In Shakespeare’s Tragedy Macbeth, it is very debatable if fate, or freewill is what causes Macbeth to do the things he does through out the tragedy. Freewill is at work most through out the tragedy because Macbeth is convinced he can change or speed up the fate the three weird sisters prophesized for him at his own will. Throughout the play, Macbeth slowly begins to think he can modify his fate by using the prophecies told to Macbeth by the weird sisters and attempting to change them by his free will.
At the first encountering of the three weird sisters by Macbeth, they present to Macbeth a foreshadow of his destiny by saying, “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!” (I, iii, 48-50). They also say to Banquo “Thou shalt get kinds, though thou be none.;/ So all hail, Macbeth and Banquo!” (I, iii, 68-69). This is saying that although Banquo will not be king, his descendants will be. Shortly after this first encounter with the three weird sisters, Macbeth is encountered by two men named Ross and Angus that bring news to Macbeth saying he is titled the Thane of Cawdor, because the previous Thane had been sentenced to death. This gives evidence to Macbeth that the fate the three weird sisters foretold was really going along as determined, and Macbeth later says “If chance will have me king, why, chance may;/ crown me;/ Without my stir.” (I, iii, 146-148), meaning that Macbeth truly believes that fate will take care of making him king. It is apparent that the idea of Macbeth becoming King is all he wants and thinks about. Macbeth is then convinced that Malcolm, the son of Duncan, is an obstacle for Macbeth to become king, and states, “The prince of Cumberland! That is a step;/ on which I must fall down, or else o’erleap;/ For in my way it lies.” (I, iv, 50-53). Soon after Macbeth returns home to his wife Lady Macbeth, the plan to murder
Bibliography: Shakespeare, William. Macbeth (underlined). New York: Washington Press, 1992