In contemporary society, the concept of fate is not given much consideration. Rationality and logic are understood to disprove the existence of an ultimate agency responsible for predetermining the course of events. However, prior to the acknowledgement of such erudition, the influence of fate was widely accepted within many societies, including that of Elizabethan England. Despite having lived within this time period, Shakespeare does not seem to have believed in the concept of fate. In Macbeth, fate is assigned a minimal role in Macbeth’s quest to secure the throne, which allows Shakespeare to challenge the power of fate in society. In the beginning of the play, the witches inform Macbeth that he is fated to become the future king of Scotland;
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After Duncan is found dead, Malcolm and Donalbain flee the country for fear that “fate, hid in an auger hole, may rush and seize” (II.3.143-144) them as well. This is one of the only logical responses to the death of their father, as they would rationally assume themselves to be the next victims and would wish to escape the situation unharmed. However, this reaction, along with the murder of Duncan, actually provides Macbeth with a number of practical advantages in his quest to become king. Primarily, the physical death of Duncan leaves Scotland without a king, presenting Macbeth with the necessary opportunity to ascend the throne. Secondly, the absence of Duncan’s heir allows Macbeth to ascend the throne far more quickly and easily than the presence of a successor would have allowed. Lastly, the disappearance of Malcolm and Donalbain projects suspicion of involvement in the murder elsewhere, allowing Macbeth to keep his reputation intact so that he may be chosen as the next king of Scotland. Because fate had very little to do with this sequence of events, Macbeth’s kingship must be attributed to his own actions and the reactions of
After Duncan is found dead, Malcolm and Donalbain flee the country for fear that “fate, hid in an auger hole, may rush and seize” (II.3.143-144) them as well. This is one of the only logical responses to the death of their father, as they would rationally assume themselves to be the next victims and would wish to escape the situation unharmed. However, this reaction, along with the murder of Duncan, actually provides Macbeth with a number of practical advantages in his quest to become king. Primarily, the physical death of Duncan leaves Scotland without a king, presenting Macbeth with the necessary opportunity to ascend the throne. Secondly, the absence of Duncan’s heir allows Macbeth to ascend the throne far more quickly and easily than the presence of a successor would have allowed. Lastly, the disappearance of Malcolm and Donalbain projects suspicion of involvement in the murder elsewhere, allowing Macbeth to keep his reputation intact so that he may be chosen as the next king of Scotland. Because fate had very little to do with this sequence of events, Macbeth’s kingship must be attributed to his own actions and the reactions of