Fate And Free Will In Macbeth

The Macbeth Argumentative Essay
Jawaharlal Nehru the Indian leader once said “Life is like a game of cards. The hand you're dealt is determinism; the way you play it is free will.” In the story of Macbeth by William Shakespeare, fate and free will play a part in the tragedy of Macbeth. While Macbeth failed because of both fate and free will, it was his own decision that led to his failure.
Macbeth’s future was in his own hands. In the beginning Macbeth observes his own feelings. “Till he unseamed him from the have of the chops, And fix'd his head upon our battlements” (1:2:22-23). This quote is telling the audience that Macbeth was loyal to the king at the beginning of the play. After all Macbeth was Duncan’s right hand man. Macbeth examines his own feelings when he states “For in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fines. Let not light see my black and deep desires” (1:4:50-51). This shows

Macbeth went to see the witches and they are telling him a prophecy.“Be bloody, bold, and resolute. Laugh to scorn the pow’r of mn, for none of woman born shall harm Macbeth” (4:1:79-81). This prophecy is telling that Macbeth can’t be killed by anyone, but Macduff proves this prophecy wrong. Also this doesn’t mean that his free will is gone. Macduff’s army is coming for Macbeth. Macbeth’s messenger says “I looked forward Birnam, an anon, methought, the wood began to move” (5:5:33-35). One of the witches prophecies is coming true about the trees moving up the hill. After Macbeth hears the news he just accepts his fate and tells the messenger “Let them Come” (5:5:36-40). “Macduff was from his mother’s womb ultimately ripped” (5:8:15-16). While Macbeth was fighting with Macduff he found out that Macduff was not born of a woman. At that Macbeth just stopped fighting and accepted his fate over his free will to keep fighting. Macbeth was relying on his fate too much and that fate ended his