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How Is Macbeth Determined

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Fate is something that is determined, maybe even something we can not change or have a say in. Shakespeare takes this into account and applies this logic into his famous play Macbeth. Our protagonist Macbeth went from a war hero to a broken villain, ending him remembered as a tragic hero. With each act he became more and more greedy for power, leading him up to his unfortunate fate. Fate is something one can not outrun; we all just have to accept what is determined for us. Fate was something that applied in every aspect of Macbeth. Shakespeare’s attitude towards fate is predetermined, because there is no way that fate could be manipulated, through the three witches prophecy, Banquo's prophecy/fate and the apparitions warnings. The witches are a big part of the story when it comes to fate. The witches saw into the future and told Macbeth and Banquo their prophecy, which is undeniable. They even claimed …show more content…

Banquo indeed does not live to see his sons become kings. The witches' prophecy was that Banquo would never be king, but his descendants would. This emphasized that he would die at some point. Macbeth even felt so intimidated towards Banquo and his fate leading him to the point to say, “Banquo if your soul is going to make it to heaven, tonight’s the night”(3.1.141). The grip that the prophecy held upon Macbeth ended with his downfall and all of the supposed future coming true. Banquo sadly passed away due to the actions of who he believed to be a true friend, but this fate was something that was surely expected. This fate was inevitable from the very beginning. The apparitions said to “Laugh at the power of other men, because nobody born from a woman will ever harm Macbeth”(4.1.79). Even though many of the things told to Macbeth were indirect, it happened regardless due to fate. This established once again that fate is not something one could change, no matter what is said even with the benefit of knowing what is to come

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Fate is something we cannot control for it is a higher power than any of us. William Shakespeare wrote “Romeo and Juliet” which is a play about two Italian families who hate each other but whose children have fallen in love. Romeo and Juliet’s tragedy was due to fate, all the events that weren't by choice so the tragedy was made to happen. It was set in stone and no one could do anything about it.

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Despite his ambition for his own descendants to become kings, Banquo does not act on it, and instead remains loyal to King Duncan and his successors. This loyalty ultimately leads to Banquo's death at the hands of Macbeth, but his integrity remains intact. Banquo's struggle to maintain his honour and integrity highlights the importance of staying true to one's values and principles, even in the face of

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(2.1.4-5). Banquo, although experiencing the same things as Macbeth and generally possessing the same characteristics of Macbeth has more control and restriction on his mind and actions than Macbeth does. Macbeth, being Banquo’s friend, eventually sees him as a threat to his mission and kills him off.

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First, Macbeth expresses fear when it comes to Banquo’s prophecy. “Then, prophet-like, they hailed him father to a line of kings. Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown, and put a barren scepter in my gripe, thence to be wretched with an unlineal hand, no son of mine succeeding” (Shakespeare 3. 1. 57-61). This shows that in Banquo’s prophecy he will heir kings and Macbeth will not. This proves that Macbeth killed Duncan for no reason and Banquo is making him look like a fool for doing so.

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846 Words | 4 Pages

Banquo becomes wary of the motif of the witch's prophecy and cautions MacBeth against having any faith in their words. Banquo and MacBeth share a deep, noble friendship. However, despite lacking any destructive ambition, he is a victim of Macbeth's ambition, who kills him due to his perceptions of him as a threat to his conquest for power. Other victims of over-ambitious characters in the play include MacDuff. Macduff, who is loyal to the rightful king Duncan possesses no personal ambitions for power (4.3.221-226).

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as Banquo knew that something was going to happen, he tells Fleance to flee while Banquo is dead on the ground as Macbeth hears this news. Banquo is dead. He is happy but also angry that the son got away, which is shown as a betrayal of his friend just to get the

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In Greek tragedies, fate uses the hero’s stubborn belief in his ability to determine his own fate in order to have him arrive at his fated end in a manner contrary to his will. Macbeth arrives at his fate by trying to be responsible for his own fate. On the one hand, Macbeth has no control over his destiny, and is merely a pawn of fate. On the other hand, fate actually does use Macbeth’s own character to accomplish its ends, so in that sense he is not merely a pawn. Because he is not merely a pawn, he retains a certain responsibility for his actions, and because he retains responsibility, he retains something of his freedom.

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He becomes so overcome with fear that he values the throne over his best friend’s life. In Act 3 Scene 1 Macbeth states that while Banquo lives, he is sick and he will only be healthy when he is dead. He

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He reveals that he is not strong minded and is easily influenced by those around him. It is through Banquo that one can actually identify Macbeth with these traits. If it were not for Banquo’s calm and responsible reaction to the foretelling, it would be difficult to hold Macbeth on a basis on the appropriate way to respond to the situation. Banquo is not after sole success, and still considers himself successful even with his sons being heirs to the kingdom. With this genuine appreciation, we are able to view Macbeth as a greedy and irrational character.

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However, when they are telling Banquo his prophecies, he chooses not to act upon it, and the prophecy of his children becoming kings never comes true. In Act 4, Scene 1, the witches show Macbeth a line of eight kings; the last one with a mirror in his hands, followed by the ghost of Banquo. On the other hand, this prophecy never comes true because Banquo never acts upon it. In the play Macbeth, Banquo says, “May they not be my oracles as well,/And set me up in hope? But hush, no more.”

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Being that Banquo seemed suspicious of Macbeth subsequently the night of the king 's death. Apprehensive of his throne Macbeth would do anything in his power to prevent even the slightest chance for anyone to take the throne from him.

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Trapped by Fate In Macbeth Macbeth struggles with the idea of fate versus free will. When he believes, he can control his own destiny, he eventually comes to realize that fate is more powerful than free will. Macbeth's journey shows that despite his best efforts to change the course of his life, to fulfill his prophecy to be king, he cannot escape the fate that has been predetermined for him by the witches. In the play “Macbeth”, Shakespeare explores the theme that fate is more powerful than free will, showing how a person's ambition and desire for power can lead them to make choices that cannot be undone.

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Have you heard of fate? Do you believe in fate? Well in William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, fate plays an important role in Macbeth’s life. Fate is something that unavoidably befalls a person.

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723 Words | 3 Pages

Macbeth became king and therefore greater than Banquo but he lost his morality which made him lesser. Banquo dies but he is still happier dead than Macbeth is alive, and Banquo’s children will become kings even though he does not get to be one. All of these things happen because Macbeth hires men to kill Banquo, but also because it was Banquo’s fate regardless.

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Unlike Macbeth, Banquo, from the beginning of this encounter, continues to doubt the witches, “I’th’name of truth are ye fantastical, or that indeed which outwardly ye show?” (1.3.51-52) Banquo didn’t believe what the witches were saying, he questions their intentions and accuses them of raising Macbeth’s hope. Throughout this whole encounter, Banquo continues to protect Macbeth while staying loyal. He never once acted on his prophecies, he simply disregarded what the witches were saying and remained the noble man he is. Even to his death, Banquo has not once acted without honour and

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