Macbeth Fate Quotes

Macbeth’s knowledge of the prophecies told to him by the weird sisters, causes him to take fate into his own hands, even though he expects his actions to be pre-planned by fate. Macbeth’s first encounter with the weird sisters is when they tell him about the first prophecy and he starts his journey to power. The first witch says, “All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter! (1.3.53).” This prophecy causes Macbeth’s longing for power to increase, and have justification. Macbeth believes whatever the witches tell him, even though the visions make no sense, because Macbeth desires power and the visions give him justification to take power. Macbeth writes a letter to Lady Macbeth telling her about the prophecies and says, “...that thou might’st not lose the dues of rejoicing by being ignorant of what greatness is promised thee (1.5.1-13). The quote is an example of Macbeth believing he is promised power, thus he attempts to gain power on his own, not waiting for fate to take it’s course.

Macbeth is on his way to fulfill the prophecy and kill Duncan and notices a imaginary dagger leading him to Duncan’s room (2.1.33-35). The dagger’s origin of either being supernatural or a figment of his imagination, is not relevant, because even if the dagger did not appear, Macbeth would have killed. Macbeth still goes to Duncan and feels the urge to kill him, because he yearns to have power and Duncan is an obstacle in Macbeth’s path to power. Another time Macbeth is fooled by the witches, he learns that his power might be threatened. Macbeth decides to kill Macduff only because he might possibly become a future threat (4.1.85-89). Having the knowledge of the weird sister’s vision of the future, leads to Macbeth becoming a killer and a psychopath, who is impulsive and does not fear the consequence of killing, because he thinks his actions are part of