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Weïrd Sisters Influence On Macbeth

1622 Words7 Pages

Are humans able to act independently? Macbeth, a tragedy by William Shakespeare, explores individuals' ability to exercise autonomy in an environment of external pressures and conflicting desires. The play follows the fate of Macbeth, a valiant Scottish noble, and how his ultimate ruin is intrinsically woven into the influences of those around him. Driven by the sway of his surrounding troupe, he begins a relentless pursuit of power, leading him down a fatal path of murder and tyranny. Macbeth’s ultimate fate was caused by the influences of those around him, as illustrated by the avarice of Lady Macbeth and the prophetic orations of the Weïrd Sisters and Hecate; although these influences eventually caused Macbeth to attempt to exert his agency, …show more content…

At the beginning of the play, Macbeth and Banquo are ambushed by the Weïrd Sisters, a group of witches, as they come home from killing Macdonwald, a traitor to the Scottish throne. The Sisters then tell Macbeth and Banquo a prophecy, promising kinghood for Macbeth. Contemplating the omen, Macbeth thinks to himself, “If chance will have me king, why, chance may / crown me / without my stir” (Shakespeare I.iii.157-159). The personification of the word “chance” reveals the overwhelming influence of supernatural forces upon Macbeth’s fated ascension to the throne. This is because by relating the term “chance” to supernatural beings, Shakespeare is alluding to the idea that Macbeth becoming king could be a matter of forces outside of his control rather than his deliberate efforts, illustrating external influence in his eventual rise to power. This is corroborated by the phrase, “without my stir,” in the given quote; the usage of this phrase implies that Macbeth does not need to take any direct action or actively involve himself in the process of becoming king, suggesting that events may unfold without his direct intervention, further emphasizing the influence of external forces upon his fate. The passivity of Macbeth towards heeding the prophecies of the Weïrd Sisters emphasizes the greater role of external forces in the progression of Macbeth’s destiny, in comparison to his own

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