People in this world today make their own decisions every second of the day. There are two things that can happen in life situations. Either Fate is in control, which is when something happens because the event is being controlled by some kind of a power or it can be free will, which means you made the decision to do what you did. I feel like there’s more free will than fate because more people in the world today make decisions on their own. It is really rare that someone can be controlled by some sort of a power, which causes them to make decisions. Free will is more of a realistic way of viewing life’s choices.
In the play Macbeth by Shakespeare, there are many instances of free will. Macbeth had the free will to take the life of Duncan,
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“As Macbeth and Lennox emerge from the bedroom, Malcolm and Donalbain arrive on the scene. They are told that their father has been killed, most likely by his chamberlains, who were found with bloody daggers. Macbeth declares that in his rage he has killed the chamberlains.” (Shakespeare 2.3) Macbeth had the free will of killing both of the Chamberlains with the bloody daggers, and also had free-will to tell Malcolm and Donalbain that there father has been killed. Malcolm and Donalbain never felt safe after their father had been stabbed and killed. Macbeth had to act like he had nothing to do with killing of Malcolm and Donalbain. Macbeth just went on a rampage when he took the lives of Duncan, and Banquo. Malcolm and Donalbain was told that their father was most likely murdered by the Chamberlains by they were also found murdered. “Malcolm and Donalbain whisper to each other that they are not safe, since whoever killed their father will probably try to kill them next.” (Shakespeare 2.4) There was others telling Macbeth that he should kill his king, but it was only him who had the free will and choice of doing what he felt was right. Malcolm and Donalbain started to not feel comfortable
As a result of Malcolm and Donalbain's suspicions resulting in their departure to England and Ireland Macbeth became king: this was the ultimate power that he and Lady Macbeth had as their goal (well, actually it was more of Lady Macbeth's goal), and now he eventually had received it. Nothing was going to take away this ultimate power from Macbeth, and he would do anything to keep it. Macbeth's ruthlessness results in him ordering three murderers to murder his best friend, Banquo. The power of being king has taken over Macbeth's life, and he is a victim of his own greed for power. He is a tyrant. Not only does Macbeth murder Banquo (not directly, of course), he also murders (actually he has people murder) Macbuffs family.
A main example of fate would be when Billy is on an airplane. In Slaughterhouse-Five, it states that "Billy, knowing the plane was going to crash pretty soon, closed his eyes, traveled in time back to 1944" (198). Soon after, "the plane smacked into the top of Sugarbush Mountain in Vermont. Everyone was killed but Billy and the copilot" (199). Instead of doing anything about it, Billy just waits for the plane to crash. If Billy had free will, he would have tried to warn the others on the plane, or not gotten onto it at all.
Let me ask just one question, have you ever heard anyone say something, that deep down it is known that, that is not right? Of course, everyone has been in that circumstance. Just because someone ‘tells’ you to do something does not mean that the deed gets done, right? If someone ‘told’ me to murder a lot of people, I’m not going to do it. The same follows for Macbeth. In the novel Macbeth written by William Shakespeare the main character, Macbeth, is told that he will become King. The only logical way to become king (in his own mind) is to kill the existing one, King Duncan. Lady Macbeth, Macbeth’s wife, has no uncertainty at all, in fact she wants him to become king more than he does, and tells him to murder Duncan to obtain this position. As one can see Macbeth not only knows what he is doing, but he knows what he is doing is wrong.
Fate and free will help to explain why things in life occur. This is clearly shown in the poem “Miniver Cheevy” by E.A. Robinson with the main character Cheevy. His heart desired to be born during the medieval era however he was born too late. Similarly, in O’Henry’s short story “ The Cop and the Anthem” fate and free wills roles were depicted through Soapy, the main characters, plan for the winter. Although these two pieces of literature seem completely different they both come together to show that we have no control over our fate, however, we have our free will allows us to make the best of one's fate.
Fate vs Free Will is one of the most oft used literary techniques in writing. It is never more evident than in Shakespeare’s play Macbeth. The major theme of the story Macbeth is whether or not the story is fueled by the free will of Macbeth, or by his fate. Are the events in Macbeth a result of his mentality and outlook on life, or were they going to happen no matter what? Almost every major event that takes place can be traced back to this question. It can be viewed in different ways, and most people have their own opinions. Dissecting this question is a part of what makes teaching Macbeth still have so much value to this day. But there is a clear answer to this question upon further dissection. The story of Macbeth is fueled by his free will, which he perceives to be a necessary part of achieving his fate.
First of all, Macbeth never had to listen to the witches and the prophecies and he never had to tell Lady Macbeth of the things he heard and his ideas. Secondly, Macbeth had himself convinced that he should not kill the king and after Lady Macbeth questioned his manhood and gave him guilt he gave in. He never had to give in to Lady Macbeth’s peer pressure. In the end of the story when the witches once again gave him prophecies he believed that he was invincible which left himself vulnerable to Macduff. “I bear a charme’d life, which must not yield to one of woman born” (lines 12-13) After stating the prophecies Macduff claims that he was torn from his mother's womb which left Macbeth vulnerable which led to his death. Macbeth had the ability to not do any of the killing, but in the end Macbeth was responsible for the decisions he made.
Macbeth knows that Duncan must be killed if he wants to acquire the throne, and the thought of Duncan’s murder is very disturbing to him. Macbeth desires to become king, but his ambition is halted when he thinks of the consequences that follow if he were to get his wish. However, when Malcolm was chosen to become Prince of Cumberland, Macbeth knew that if he did not take any action then he wouldn’t be king. The reader can see that the ruthlessness that lies in Macbeth is coming out when he says “The Prince of Cumberland – that is a step on which I must fall down or else o’erleap, For in my way it lies. Despite the fact that Macbeth is a ruthless individual, Lady Macbeth makes him look like a saint.
Macbeth’s decision that had the greatest impact on his life was his choice to murder Duncan. He makes this decision entirely on his own. Macbeth already was hoping something would happen to Duncan as soon as he names Malcom as the Prince of Cumberland (1.4.48-53). He is already thinking about the possibility of taking the throne by some form of intervention. Macbeth knows that when Malcom was named as the heir that he will not become king, but he decides to intervene without anyone convincing him to kill the king (1.4.48-50). It can be known that Macbeth was already high in the
Lowe argues that Macbeth constantly presses the witches to reveal more, and acts under his own accord to commit the act of murder. The witches merely state that Macbeth will become king; they do not order him to kill Duncan. Lowe concludes that Macbeth is a culpable human, acting on his own ambition with help from the Witches. Macbeth, from a causation standpoint, reveals that the initial meeting with the Witches caused the downfall of Macbeth. Lowe states “Metaphorically speaking, the witches give Macbeth a flame, but Macbeth lit himself on fire and kept feeding that fire until he was completely destroyed. Thus, it can hardly be argued that Macbeth is a pawn of fate, a victim of circumstance. Rather, Macbeth creates his own tragic circumstance, freely murdering his way to his demise” (Lowe, 2005). Lady Macbeth also forces her own will upon Macbeth, calling him a coward to prick at his sides. The threat of being considered a coward in the eyes of his lover is more important than the problems anf implications of committing a murder. Macbeth values his self worth and personal gain than the life of his friends and allies. The murder of Banquo is what ultimately leads to his demise, says Lowe. Macbeth’s guilt takes the form of a ghost, coercing Macbeth into admitting his involvement in the murder of Banqou. This leads to the separation of Macbeth’s troops, whom later come to kill him in the final act. The Witches’ “prophecy” of kingship and grandeur, Macbeth’s senseless killings, and ultimately his guilt and remorse, are enough to make Macbeth believe he is acting out his
In the tragedy “Macbeth,” written by William Shakespeare, Macbeths free will is shown as he tries to take what is his. “Macbeth” is about a Scottish troop (Macbeth) and his friend Banquo. Macbeth and Banquo meet three witches whom tell them about a prophecy that involves Macbeth and Banquo’s son. One of the prophecies was that Macbeth would become king. The prophecy makes Macbeth’s mind corrupted making him pursue dark actions to overthrow King Duncan. Macbeth’s free will is exhibited by the way he has the inspiration to control what he does throughout the tragedy. People may say that it is fate because the prophecy states that Macbeth will be king, but it also states that Banquo’s sons will be kings in
No one forces him to make any of the decisions that he does, but instead, they persuade him. Macbeth uses his free will to commit many evil actions, such as murder. Macbeth only wants the power of the king and eliminates any obstacles that interfere with his chance to receive the throne. Macbeth ultimately dies, and all of his actions lead him towards his death; therefore, his death is his own responsibility. One may learn through this play that if one takes his or her lives upon themselves then one can either change their fate from something simple or to something as extreme as
...his wife caused Macbeth to kill the King, kill his best friend Banquo, and kill his counterpart Macduff’s family. These choices eventually caused his downfall; in the form of a beheading by Macduff. The concept of fate against free will is often examined in Macbeth, which is what Shakespeare wanted people to do, and in real life. Many people believe that everyone controls their own destiny; that the outcome of their life is based upon the decisions they make. Others conclude that people have a set path through life. Some conceive the idea that life is a mix of both, where people’s decisions have an impact on their life, just not on the outcome. The concept of “fate vs. free will” will continue to be examined, and plays like Shakespeare’s Macbeth allow people to do that.
The three witches told Macbeth his fate. The events in Macbeth’s life occur because of the choice he made but also the witches prophesy and making him believe that he was all powerful. Throughout the play we can notice a downfall for Macbeth which is known as a turning for him as a character and a king. Due to the witches prophecy of witches telling him he was going to be king but also, free-will and him wanting more and killing people to gain the throne which causes the events of time to crumble. As we began to unfold Macbeth we begin to realize that Macbeth suffers throughout the play because of the decisions he has made. For that reason Macbeth fate was predetermine however, he chose to deal with them differently which changed Macbeth’s
Fate and free will both have a strong rooting in the play Macbeth. The role of fate was to tell Macbeth that he was one day to become king of Scotland. Fate was not the cause of Macbeth’s downfall. The actions made under Macbeth’s free will are the sole reason for his own downfall. Macbeth was afraid that he might not become king, so he took matters into his own hands to be absolutely sure he would attain the throne. He decided to leave out chance and take the throne for himself by killing Duncan. By leaving out chance, Macbeth left out the chance for fate to bring his downfall.
“With free will and destiny, we are but living revolutionary clay,” Muhammad Iqbal said this when he was asked about what he thought of destiny. People view the topics of free will and destiny as two opposing forces that could never intertwine; contrary to this idea, these things are two sides of the same coin. Having a destiny allows people to have hope that they are meant to do something great with their lives, and free will allows people the belief that they control their own future. Both of these concepts allow people to feel hope about the future, which at the end of the day is all someone wants to feel. All people are destined to have their own version of a happy ending; however, it is their job to make the right choices to get there.