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Fate and free will in macbeth
Fate and free will in macbeth
Fate as theme in the book macbeth
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At the beginning of the play, three witch sisters told him that he would become Thane of Cawdor and the King of Scotland. Right after they told him about the prophecies, Macbeth was told that he did in fact become Thane of Cawdor. Since that prophecy came true, he began to wonder if the prophecy about him becoming King would come true. When Lady Macbeth found out about the prophecies, Lady Macbeth convinced and influenced Macbeth to kill the King so that the prophecy could come true. Macbeth was reluctant to kill the king, but that reluctance was soon overcome by the sheer determination for power that grew inside of him.
but Lady Macbeth kept insisting on him not being crowned king but instead taking the throne. He could have just accepted his prophecy and waited his turn but chose to make certain he would be king even if it wasn't his time he killed to make his prophecy true it wasn’t gifted to him he took it. Lady Macbeth also said,”"Which fate and metaphysical aid doth seem / To have thee crown'd withal". Lady Macbeth thinks that fate won't make him king; she believes the only way he could be king is to murder Duncan
Macbeth’s decision to kill Duncan was not fate given to him by the prophecy, instead he merely followed what his conscience
At the beginning of the play Marson stated that Macbeth is portrayed as “valiant, dutiful to his sovereign, mild, gentle, and ambitious” (68). However, soon Macbeth is welcomed by the three witches and they speak their prophecy and declare him Thane of Cawdor. Still, Macbeth’s mental state is not shaken up, however, he is in a delusional state of mind. Macbeth rejoices and sends a letter to Lady Macbeth knowing that the witches’ prophecies come true. At the time, Macbeth has no interest in killing King Duncan, but Lady Macbeth does.
Shakespeare’s message is about free will and has determine the events in our lives. In his play The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, all of the events that has happened was all because of the characters constantly altering what will happen. For example Romeo and Juliet deciding their secret marriage even though both of their families are in a feud with one another. Romeo kills Tybalt to avenge Mercutio’s death in a spur of the moments decision. And finally all of Friar Lawrence’s plans not going the right way, for example faking Juliet’s death.
Macbeth says “but yet i’ll make assurance double sure, and take a bond of fate”(IV.I.94-95) essentially Macbeth is saying that he will try to guarantee his fate, and solidify the prophecy the witches gave to him. Since the witches are able to predict the future, after receiving his prophecy Macbeth did not need to do anything to fulfill it, unless the witches said otherwise which in this case they didn't. This is true because Banquo also received a prophecy, he did not take it upon himself to fulfill it yet it still came true and by the end of the play his son became king. All Macbeth needed to do was sit and wait for the prophecy to happen, just like banquo did instead he chose to try and take control of the situation which ultimately led him to his downfall. By trying to take control of his fate Macbeth in turn disrupts the chain of being in the Elizabethan worldview by killing Duncan, his superior.
The witches are a prime example of the fate versus free will aspect. When the witches and Macbeth originally meet, Macbeth is not seeking prophecies and answers. He only asks who they are, and that is when they give him the three infamous prophecies; that he will be the thane of Glamis, the thane of Cawdor, and ultimately, king. As he coincidentally becomes
The ethical debate must also arise, due to the pressing need to assess the ramifications of these acts, and how it’ll impact the well-being of others. In all, it prompts them to realize the moral implications of their actions and the consequences that may be brought upon them. The quote can conversely relate to individuals in the Elizabethan era, as destiny was believed to be written in the stars, and that mortal actions will have no effect on what God has planned out for individuals. In Shakespeare's works, this notion is often seen by a third party, telling either the audience or the characters the fate of the play. This is typically contrasted by the protagonist, who, no matter how hard they might try, can never outrun their destiny.
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.
We always have a choice. Neither fate nor destiny truly exists; rather, they are just ideas conceptualized to make it seem as if there’s a set path in life, but there isn’t. The thing that affirms free will is fate’s inability to come true. The theory of destiny is flawed, for if it truly existed, you couldn’t blame anyone for anything, and our entire model of moral ethics would be destroyed. The anecdote that bests explains this is the story of Plato’s servant.
The witch had said “[a]ll hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter”(I.3.50). This line meaning if Macbeth kills Duncan he will be crowned king after. Even though this was the prophecy Macbeth was still not convinced to play a part in doing this tetroius act. Although when Lady Macbeth found out about this prophecy causing her husband to be king meaning she will also be queen, she unhesitantly was positive they would go through with it. Later on in the play Lady Macbeth finds out Duncan will be staying the night with her and her husband.
One of the most critical ideas surrounding tragedies is fate and destiny. The idea that an individual’s life is predetermined is associated with many great works of Shakespeare, and transcending through stories, if human beings have free will. If all humans carry free will, does that mean that all humans are responsible for their crimes and inhumanities. Undoubtedly, both topics are explored through the play, but Macbeth corrupts himself with his own destructive actions. The Tragedy of Macbeth stems from the fearless, hero of Scotland who then turned into a ruthless king who will kill anyone he sees as a threat.
In Shakespeare’s Macbeth the witches informs Macbeth of his fate that he will become the king in the future. Macbeth believes the witches words and Lady Macbeth persuade him to become the king and murder all the people that get in the way. Shakespeare shows us that fate is complicated by our actions, Macbeth will do anything to meet his fate that in the end lead him to his death because of his greediness.
Fate Versus Free Will In Macbeth Fate versus free will is a theme well known throughout literature and in life as well. Is life controlled by fate, or are people’s lives dependent on the choices they make? In Macbeth, Shakespeare emphasizes the idea of fate vs. freewill, indicating that both elements play a role in the lives of individuals, as well as society as a whole. The main character, Macbeth’s, life is a combination of fate and his conscious decisions. The witches in Macbeth can control the fates of many, but only to a point.
After becoming Thane of Cawdor Macbeth immediately believes in the prophecies and that he 's gonna be king. This is the prophecy that cements the idea into Macbeth 's head that what the witches say is true and affects several of his decisions throughout the play. One way the knowledge of the prophecy had influenced his decisions is by knowing he would be king makes him decided to kill Duncan which he wouldn 't have decided to do without knowing prophecies. After becoming king Macbeth wonders about the third prophecy and decides to try to kill Banquo and his son so his descendants don 't succeed him as king. Macbeth decision in this is heavily influenced by the prophecy and wouldn 't of happened if he didnt