Fate Vs Free Will In Macbeth

For anyone reading through Macbeth for the first time, whether for a class assignment or just for a good read, it’s clear to see that Shakespeare has fate and destiny play a big role in the story. In Macbeth, fate is a driving factor for some of the character’s actions, and even their tragic downfalls. Shakespeare also plays with the idea of fate vs. free will when it comes to human affairs, since there are supernatural powers at hand. Macbeth often overthinks these promises given to him and will make rash decisions just to confirm his prophecy.

The first instance of fate that we encounter in the play is when Macbeth and Banquo first receive a visit from the Weird Sisters. “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!” (1.3.50-52). In this scene, the witches pay Macbeth and Banquo a visit and announce to them strange hailings. They start by referring to Macbeth with his current title of Thane of Glamis. The next two lines are what confuses Macbeth. They call him Thane of Cawdor, a title that he doesn’t have, announce his future kingship, and predict Banquo’s sons will be future kings.

Macbeth and Banquo shrug off this event and pass it off as a hallucination as

This theme is supported by Cohen and Rosenberg as they each discuss Macbeth’s “great bond”. One supporting topic covered by Rosenberg is how Macbeth is, at times, tries to change his fate. “Rather than that, come Fate into the list, / And champion me to th’utmost” (3.1.71-72). In this quote Macbeth is talking about how the witches promised Banquo’s sons would be kings but didn’t say anything about Macbeths heirs. He is challenging fate to “champion” him battle (Rosenberg, 2012). He rebels against the super natural by attempting to kill Banquo and his