Macbeth is presented at first as a hero of Scotland, having protected the country from attack and civil war. As is typical with a Shakespearean hero, Macbeth enters the story from a high position of nobility and honor. The opportunity is presented to him to achieve more power through his own efforts at the expense of others. Macbeth ponders this dilemma that is presented in the prophecy of the three witches. Does he let fate give him the throne, or should his own efforts lead him to it? If fate has determined that he will be king, does he need to do anything? Macbeth does not trust fate that extensively, so he decides to take fate into his own hands, committing several murders as a result. He is driven to this by Lady Macbeth, who chides him
