In the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare, the main character Macbeth went “to great attempts to alter fate, even [though he knew] such an aim to be futile,” as it says countless characters do in Edith Hamilton’s Mythology. Macbeth’s fate was predetermined by three witches, but their words were left open to interpretation. Macbeth believed their predictions would become true, but his ambition and desire of power, due to knowing his fate, led to Macbeth taking matters into his own hands and making many choices to get himself to that place. Instead of letting destiny play itself out, Macbeth decided to alter fate and help himself acquire the aspiration and control he couldn’t resist.
In Shakespeare’s play Macbeth, Macbeth altered his fate when …show more content…
The witches told Banquo, “thou shalt get kings, though thou be none.” (Shakespeare IV, i, 70). Although Banquo himself would not be king, they were to be in his lineage. His son would later become king. The witches use prevarication to tell Banquo that the kings will continue to family, which this drives Macbeth to try to change fate and decide to kill Banquo and his son. Macbeth isn’t told the whole truth about his fate, making him alter his fate in the way they want, which was all from his own head because the witches never told him to do it. He killed Banquo and his son because of his ambition, the same reason he also killed Duncan. Although Macbeth is responsible for all his actions and the witches didn’t tell him to do them, they can foresee the future, so they know something evil is going to happen. The witches say, "Fair is foul, and foul is fair, Hover through the fog and filthy air," (Shakespeare I,iii,10). With this illogical paradox, they are foreshadowing something evil is about to occur. This also shows what is evil to the witches is good to Macbeth. They know that Macbeth is going to do something evil because they can see the future.
In Macbeth, the theme of fate and free will is portrayed constantly. Macbeth’s fate is foretold by the three witches, but Macbeth uses his own free will to decide his actions when told his fate. His evil choices led to him making great attempts to alter his fate. Macbeth would’ve never been able to alter his fate if the witches never told him it. But from Macbeth, Shakespeare teaches that fate exists and can be
In Shakespeare’s play Macbeth, Macbeth altered his fate when …show more content…
The witches told Banquo, “thou shalt get kings, though thou be none.” (Shakespeare IV, i, 70). Although Banquo himself would not be king, they were to be in his lineage. His son would later become king. The witches use prevarication to tell Banquo that the kings will continue to family, which this drives Macbeth to try to change fate and decide to kill Banquo and his son. Macbeth isn’t told the whole truth about his fate, making him alter his fate in the way they want, which was all from his own head because the witches never told him to do it. He killed Banquo and his son because of his ambition, the same reason he also killed Duncan. Although Macbeth is responsible for all his actions and the witches didn’t tell him to do them, they can foresee the future, so they know something evil is going to happen. The witches say, "Fair is foul, and foul is fair, Hover through the fog and filthy air," (Shakespeare I,iii,10). With this illogical paradox, they are foreshadowing something evil is about to occur. This also shows what is evil to the witches is good to Macbeth. They know that Macbeth is going to do something evil because they can see the future.
In Macbeth, the theme of fate and free will is portrayed constantly. Macbeth’s fate is foretold by the three witches, but Macbeth uses his own free will to decide his actions when told his fate. His evil choices led to him making great attempts to alter his fate. Macbeth would’ve never been able to alter his fate if the witches never told him it. But from Macbeth, Shakespeare teaches that fate exists and can be