Free Will In Macbeth

Fate and Shakespearean tragedy go hand in hand, in that things never work out in the favor of the main character. Be this fate met by the characters own action or the affect of another, it stands true that their destiny is not one to be desired. This remains the case in the unfortunate story of Macbeth and the play follows the main character in his fall from grace. Through the influence of the three sisters, Macbeth is awakened to his fate as King; however, Macbeth’s free will ultimately allows the audience to recognize that Macbeth was never meant to be idolized as king, but as a murderous dictator.

In the beginning of act one Macbeth and Banquo are given prophecies that state that Macbeth will be the Thane of Cawdor and king and that Banquo’s children will be kings. Both are excited and shocked by the news, and Macbeth squashes the murderous inclinations that first arouse at the news, choosing instead to revel in the news of his eventual promotion. However, once his wife Lady Macbeth receives this new she has no such qualms about the regicide and pushes her husband to commit the act. When he does, he begins his descent into darkness in killing king Duncan, his friend and the one who gave him the opportunity to become a Thane. In this his choices push him towards the fate he was made aware of, not allowing himself to explore more options in his destiny and the way it progresses. …show more content…
His madness is also growing, with him seeing things and losing sleep. To try to thwart the fate of another, his best friend Banquo and his descendants, Macbeth orders that his dearest companion and his son are killed. The killings of Banquo and his son are not the only familial murders sanctioned by Macbeth as king, he also commands that the family of political adversary Macduff be killed while he is away seeking help to end Macbeth's reign of terror from