Macbeth Fate Vs Free Will Essay

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Fate versus free will. Free will determines how people reach their destinies. This is shown in Macbeth by William Shakespeare through the characters actions. In the play Macbeth, lady Macbeth and Macbeth’s choices lead to their predetermined destinies. Free will controls most of the actions within the play, but fate still controls what happens in the end. William Shakespeare was born on April, 23 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon in England. Shakespeare was the third of eight children and son of an alderman of Stratford-upon-Avon. His father became mayor of the town four years after William was born. In the article it says “Shakespeare learned to read and write at a local primary school, and later he is believed to have attended the local grammar school where he …show more content…

The quote shows Macbeth’s free will because he could have left or ignored the witches instead of demanding more information about his future. Another action that shows free will is Young Siward confronting Macbeth. As Malcolm is attacking Macbeth’s castle Young Siward goes and confronts Macbeth inside. Siward says “Thou liest abhorred tyrant! With my sword/ I’ll prove the lie thou speak'st” (V.vii.10-14) leading to Macbeth and Young Siward fighting in which Young Siward is slain. Attacking Macbeth shows free will because there was no foreshadowing or previous events leading up to him attacking Macbeth. The next example of fate is when Fleance escaped the murderers Macbeth sent for him and his father. As Fleance escapes the murderer says “There’s but one down; the son is fled ”(III.iv.24). This shows fate because the witches showed Macbeth that the descendants of Banquo would be king. Macbeth says “Thy crown does sear mine eyeballs. And they hair,/ Thou other gold-bound brow, is like the first” (IV.i.113-114) as he is shown eight descendants of Banquo as the future kings of Scotland. The last example of fate is in Lady Macbeth’s soliloquy. Lady Macbeth says “That tend