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Macbeth - Choice and Fate

            Is it fate or free will that seals Macbeth fate in the play Macbeth? Most people think that because Duncan was predicated to become king by the three witches that he was destined to kill Duncan. Nonetheless, the predictions by the three witches, Lady Macbeth's manipulation, and his ambition and desire to be king guide his circumstances which bring about his own destruction.
             The prediction inspire the thoughts which are sparked by his own ambition to be king. The first predication is when we see the witches greet Macbeth by Thane of Cawdor (a title he has not been awarded) and King of Scotland. Once he is awarded the title The Thane of Cawdor; he realizes that the witch's predictions are coming true. Macbeth says that he has no desire to kill Duncan ("I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent," [1.7.25-26]). He sees that the prophecies mean that there is no necessity for him to do anything in order to become king; when he says "If Chance will have me King, why, Chance may crown me, without my stir" just after the meeting with the Witches [1.3.143-44] (O'Rourke, NP). He then begins to think about killing the current King Duncan and taking over his throne. But other external influences guide in Macbeth's chosen fate. Macbeth actively participates in fulfilling the prophecy by having conflicting thoughts and allowing his wife to manipulate him into killing the King Duncan. One question that is most common in the tragedy of Macbeth is whether free will or fate caused Macbeth's downfall.
             The witch's second predications tell Macbeth to beware of Macduff and state that no one born from a woman will be able to harm him. I think this gives Macbeth a false sense of security that Macduff is no threat to him. But, he actual is because he was born by cesarean section and not by natural childbirth. Of course in the play Macduff does kill Macbeth but this too is not fate. This choice only comes after Macbeth chooses to take the crown and Macduff chooses to avenge the king's murder.


Essays Related to Macbeth - Choice and Fate

1. The Choices Seal the Fate (MacBeth)

By revealing Macbeth's fate to him, these witches not only give him a look into the future, they also enforce where his fate is taking him. ... The witches and Lady Macbeth start the journey, but Macbeth is the one that seals his fate with his state of mind and emotions. ... Macbeth's doomed fate is a consequence of his choices after he hears the witches prophecy that he will become King. ... It is the nature of Macbeth and it is his fate that he becomes the murderer. Lady Macbeth contributes to his choices by steering him down this path of deceit, murder, and greed. ...

  • Word Count: 1316
  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Grade Level: High School

2. Fate of Macbeth

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  • Word Count: 426
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3. Fate in Macbeth

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  • Word Count: 634
  • Approx Pages: 3
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4. Macbeth Essay on Choices

These choices are what make the tragedy of "Macbeth" a tragedy. ... It is the result of all these decisions that leads Macbeth to his ultimate fate, to be murdered by Macduff. ... It is all of these decisions that lead Lady Macbeth to her guilty conscience, insanity and ultimately to the fate of committing suicide. ... "Macbeth" is all about choices much like actually life is. One must make important choices everyday which lead up to the fate of their own life. ...

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5. macbeth

The Downfall of Macbeth: Fate Versus Free Will Though fate may play a part in our lives, we have choices to make and we must accept responsibility for these choices, as well as the consequences. ... Although prophecies from apparitions motivated Macbeth's actions and ultimately played a detrimental role in his tragic downfall, he was not a victim of fate, rather he was a victim of his own poor choices. ... Macduff did eventually kill Macbeth but this was not fate. Had Macbeth not made the choice to kill the King and take the throne, Macduff would not have avenged the King's murder b...

  • Word Count: 1283
  • Approx Pages: 5
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6. Macbeth

Macbeth may not have made any of his same choices, if the three Weird sisters hadn't come to him. In Shakespeare's play Macbeth, Macbeth is no pawn of fate. ... Fate has no bearing over what choices are made. Yet, Macbeth may not have made the same choices had he not met the witches. ... All Macbeth's actions were choices to attain his destiny, but they were nonetheless choices of his own free will. ...

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7. Choices and Consequences in Macbeth

However, Macduff's choice to kill Macbeth resulted in peace and order for the people of Scotland, who suffered from Macbeth's avarice. ... Duncan's choice to make Macbeth Thane of Cawdor resulted in surprising consequences. ... Duncan's minor choice to crown Macbeth "Thane of Cawdor " resulted in his own death and Macbeth's corruption and compulsion for more power. ... (MOE, Par. 10) Lastly, Macduff created peace by making the choice to slay Macbeth and getting rid of his evil intentions. ... Duncan's, Lady Macbeth's and Macduff's choices led ...

  • Word Count: 675
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8. Fate vs. Free Will

In Shakespeare's The Tragedy of Macbeth, there is a question as to whether or not Macbeth is driven by fate or free will. ... However, Macbeth always had a choice throughout the play to choose his own fate. Macbeth journeys to his murderous doom through his own free choice. ... Even though the witches did make these prophecies, Macbeth's fate was not sealed. ... Macbeth also has this same choice. ...

  • Word Count: 737
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9. MACBETH

A second inquiry that came up was one having to do with fate and Macbeth's actions in attempts to change it. Did Macbeth have to take any action in order to meet his fate or was it inevitable that certain things would occur? ... Lady Macbeth bluntly states that Duncan must be murdered and tells Macbeth that the murder is a test of his manhood, leaving Macbeth no choice but to save his dignity by committing the murder. Had Lady Macbeth agreed with Macbeth's refusal to kill Duncan, Macbeth would not have gone through with it, allowing fate to take its course. ... The characters in Ma...

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