macbeth - fate or free choice Essay - 702 Words

Macbeth – Fate or Free Choice? In Macbeth by William Shakespeare, Macbeth’s destiny is determined by the choices he makes. The first hint to the reader of Macbeth’s choices comes as a warning from Banquo to Macbeth about believing the witches, or Weird Sisters. Once Macbeth starts to believe the witches, this belief facilitates his decisions to take certain actions. Macbeth’s choice to believe the witches also gives them control over him, which further illustrates how Macbeth’s destiny is fated by his choice to believe them. Throughout the play Macbeth has opportunities to stop believing in the witches, thereby choosing actions that might avoid a harmful fate. It is Macbeth’s free choice to believe the witches or not, and it is this†¦show more content†¦Banquo’s idea examines how Macbeth’s one choice to believe the Weird Sisters fates the rest of his actions. Ignoring Banquo’s warning, Macbeth begins to believe the witches and starts his fated actions. As Macbeth gains power and believes he is fated to gain greater power, he is drawn to a life of deceit and murder. It is Macbeth’s hand which acts, although these actions are all driven by the clever witches because they know how he would react once he believes them. The one choice to have faith in the witches triggers the true fate of Macbeth. Macbeth’s choice to believe in the Weird Sisters also gives the witches control. The reader can see this when Macbeth says, â€Å"If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me / without my stir.† (1.3.157-9) Macbeth believes he might become king by chance, rather than as a result of any of his own actions. This is also evident when Macbeth tells Lady Macbeth â€Å"I will tomorrow/ (And betimes I will) to the Weird Sisters. /more shall they speak, for now I am bent to know†. This second trip to see the witches shows his dependence on them, which gives them the control. Macbeth has opportunities to stop believing the Weird Sisters and thereby avoid a bad fate. The major opening for him to break loose from their control is when he says, For mine own good, All causes shall give way. I am in blood Stepped in so far that, should I wade no more, Returning were asShow MoreRelated Destiny, Fate, Free Will and Free Choice in Macbeth - Important Role of Fate3032 Words   |  13 PagesConcept of Fate in Macbeth      Ã‚   Literary critics disagree over the amount of leverage which fate exerted on the Macbeths in the Shakespearean drama Macbeth. Fate was quite influential, but it did not impair their free will; they remained free moral agents who ambitiously and voluntarily surrendered themselves to the evil suggestions of fate.    Macbeth: If Chance would have me king, why, Chance may crown me without my stir. A.C. 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