Macbeth had been one of the more popular works of Shakespeare. Like many of his other dramas, the play was a tragedy. Like many of Shakespeare’s plays, Macbeth itself portrays many themes. One recurring theme is the controlling of one’s fate by external forces. Macbeth tells us that fate may be determined, but the way it comes about is through your free will or a man’s free choice. First, one of the influential external forces of destiny in the play were the Witches. For example, in the text, the Witches tells Macbeth, “All hail, Macbeth, thou shalt be king hereafter!”(Act I, scene III). This line ignites Macbeth’s ambitions to be king, which led to his tragedy. They didn't say how Macbeth would become king; that was up to him. Macbeth’s …show more content…
The portrayal of the Macbeth by Ian McKellen was dark and egoistic. The Macbeth drawn from the text was murdering because of fear. While McKellen’s portrayal was more murderous. It was not fear that drove Macbeth, but his justification that he has the right to be king and nobody can stand in his way. Second, an example of fate working was the murder of Banquo. In the text, the witches told Banquo: “Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none...”(Act I, scene III). Macbeth thought that Banquo would steal his throne; yet he didn't want to do the deed himself, so he hired three murderers to kill Banquo. However what the witches said was true, then Banquo didn't have the chance to become king, so Macbeth didn't have to kill him. This killing of Banquo was of his free will that didn't affect the prophecy so Macbeth was struck with guilt as he “imagines” Banquo’s …show more content…
The Witches then showed Macbeth, the next line of kings: “Thou art too like the spirit of Banquo: down!..../For the blood-bolter'd Banquo smiles upon me,/And points at them for his.”(Act IV, scene I). Once Macbeth had a taste of knowing the “future” or his destiny, he wanted to know more and this led to the works of the supernatural going against him; as he disrupted the order of the universe. The witches were right in the sense that it was Macbeth’s fate to be king, but they didn't tell him the fate awaiting him after he became king. If Macbeth knew, he wouldn't have wanted to become king, yet it was his free will and his choices that led to his