The Unavoidability Of Fate In Macbeth

Fate is unavoidable, and no one can stop destiny from happening. The character of Macbeth is driven by this idea throughout the play. He felt that fate just needed a little help at times to become reality, and he eventually took matters into his own hands. Anything that is set into place is bound to happen, but the actions taken to quickly reach that fate are completely controlled by man. The three witches began Macbeth on his journey with fate after delivering a powerful prophecy to him and Banquo. The witches foretold Macbeth’s rise to power by prophesying him becoming Thane of Cawdor and informing him “that shalt be King hereafter” (1.3.50). They also inform Banquo about his children becoming kings in the future. Macbeth was incredibly skeptical of this prophecy, and it was not until he was informed by Rosse of his new role as Thane of Cawdor that he actually started to believe the witches’ words. His belief in their prophecy led him down a murderous path where he would do any means necessary to ensure his fate became reality beginning with the murder of the current king, Duncan. After Macbeth and Lady Macbeth plot and carry their plan to kill Duncan in order for Macbeth to become king, a portion of the prophecy is successfully fulfilled. Macbeth stabs Duncan to …show more content…
The apparitions inform Macbeth that he cannot be killed by anyone born from a woman, and he does not have to be concerned about being killed until the woods begin to move. The information received in this prophecy encourages Macbeth to “[take] all of these signs as to mean that he is invincible” (Kashihara 38). Again, Macbeth is presented with a prophecy about his fate. This prophecy makes Macbeth overconfident; he thinks no one can kill him. Similar to the last prophecy, Macbeth is satisfied with most of the prophecy but not the entirety of it, and again, Macbeth takes matters into his own