Examples Of Fate Vs Free Will Macbeth

847 Words2 Pages

Fate vs Free Will has always been one of the most controversial topics from early history, and for no surprise because everyone is fascinated about their future. Many people believe that life is predetermined and anything you do won’t transmute your future. Others believe that you are sanctioned to mold your own destiny and optate your own path. Your mind, for example, has total free will up to the point where you believe that everything you think is controlled by faith. Then you wouldn’t have a free thought because all that you will think was always going to be thought, and thus making faith decide you. Whatever the case may be, one thing is for certain and that is that we’ll never know the future because it is beyond our ken.
The first philosophers to question Fate vs Free Will originated in ancient Greece in the 6th century BCE. The philosophers were called Presocratics and their purpose was to question and investigate the ultimate basis and essential nature of the external world. One of the first philosopher to question fate was Aristotle by saying “…If it was always …show more content…

In Macbeth Fate vs Free Will is firstly is shown when the Sergeant says “And fortune, on his damned quarrel smiling, Show'd like a rebel's whore: but all's too weak: For brave Macbeth—well he deserves that name— Disdaining fortune, with his brandish'd steel, Which smoked with bloody execution,” ( ) the sergeant implies that Macbeth should have been killed but he was somehow stronger than his own fate. However, the sergeant continues to say that he may have defeated his own fate now, but it will soon catch up to him later. This is foreshadowing his inevitable demise proving the theory of fate. Although, it would also be misleading to say that the sergeant understands fate, instead he could have thought logically because after all Macbeth did undergo a hard battle and so the sergeant could have been surprised he

Show More
Related

  • Slaughterhouse-Five

    913 Words  | 2 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Quotes About Gender Roles In Macbeth

    1188 Words  | 3 Pages

    While the fate of the characters have all been planned, the paths they take are still of free will. In the introduction, we first hear the captain praising “brave Macbeth (well he deserves that name) / Disdaining Fortune, with his brandished steel, / Which smoked with bloody execution” (1.2). In these lines, the captain makes it sound like Macbeth is able to evade fate and fortune and escape death using his own abilities.

    Read More

  • Fate In Forrest Gump: Fate And Free Will

    1852 Words  | 4 Pages

    Marilyn Monroe once said, “I believe that everything happens for a reason. People change so that you can learn to let go, things go wrong so that you appreciate them when they 're right, you believe lies so you eventually learn to trust no one but yourself, and sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.” Is fate subjected to one’s actions or is there another force that intervenes? Two choices to pick from, but each decision will result in a different ending. Most people believe they are free to choose whatever they want, however was fate already predestined that makes people decide their fate regardless of choice? Over the centuries, people have pondered upon the fact that integrity, justice, and moral principles play a role in deciding one’s fate. Does this mean that if Odysseus were to put aside his pride and be humble along his journey home, he would not have gone through all that trouble for anything? Is fate uncontrollable even for the Gods to handle? Forrest Gump is born mental

    Read More

  • Oedipus and Maze of Destiny

    1543 Words  | 4 Pages

    Another thought that exemplifies the significance that free will holds, is seen in elements of Sophocles' classic, which revealed that Oedipus had more knowledge over the details of his dilemma than he let himself become conscious of. The last idea will reveal how the onset of fear will push people down a treacherous path of risk and pain, which is also seen in the play through multiple characters. Free will is an attribute that all people possess. It could work as a tool to get individuals through the scary twists their lives may entail. It could also work against them in many ways, which depends on the level of human weakness and ignorance. But, the most important assertion that can be made after considering the argument of, "fate vs. free will," is that...

    Read More

  • Free Destiny vs. Controlled Fate in Antigone

    790 Words  | 2 Pages

    Fate is an old, debated concept. Do one's actions truly play a role in determining one's life? Is fate free to some or is it binding to others, in that no individual can make completely individual decisions, and therefore, no one is truly free. Nowadays, fate is a subject often rejected in society, as it is seen as too big, too idealistic, and too hard to wrap a person's head around. However, at the time of Antigone, the concept was a terrifying reality for most people.

    Read More

  • Free Will Vs. Fate In The Open

    1038 Words  | 3 Pages

    There are many philosophical and religious debates between the concepts of free will and fate. Free will is based on a belief that our future is based on the decisions that we make today. Looking back over our life at where we are is a product of our past.

    Read More

  • The Influence Of Fate In Macbeth

    1007 Words  | 3 Pages

    How much of an influence does fate have on the ideals of a person? Is Macbeth acting out the selfish desires of his own accord? Fate is thought to be unavoidable, and all the paths of life lead to a destiny that is inescapable. In Shakespeare’s Macbeth, not only is Macbeth’s hand forced in committing a murder, his fate is expedited in the process. Macbeth is in control of his own destiny, but is spurned into decisions by the Witches and his wife. Although Macbeth believes he is controlled by fate, a more thorough inspection reveals his control over all his actions.

    Read More

  • Macbeth Free Will Quotes

    743 Words  | 2 Pages

    “And fortune, on his damned quarrel smiling show’d like a rebel’s whore. but all too weak; for brave Macbeth disdaining fortune, worth his brandished steel, which smoked with bloody execution” (I..ii 15-17). This quote is saying that Macbeth should have died in that battle, but he is too strong and powerful for his fate. This shows that “Macbeth” is free will because he is fighting against the odds meaning he should have died in that battle. Macbeth is considered a “damned quarry” per the captain because he has escaped his doom this time, but it will come back to haunt him in the future. “If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me” (I..iii 137-144). In this quote, Macbeth lets chance take its tole rather than murdering anyone else. This conveys free will because Macbeth decides to use chance instead of murder. Chance is also considered free will because he is making bold decisions by himself. Macbeths free will is making others see what kind of leader he is or will be later in the

    Read More

  • Winston Smith: A Tragic Hero

    1191 Words  | 3 Pages

    Fate is non-existent as one's future is based upon their own personal decisions. It is believing

    Read More

  • Macbeth a Victim of Choice not Fate

    431 Words  | 1 Pages

    The three witches told Macbeth of his fate. Did the events in Macbeth?s life occur because of the witches? prophesy or was it because of the choices he made? Could there possibly be some of both? What caused Macbeth to fall? Was it his fate or his free will?

    Read More

  • Fate in Macbeth

    988 Words  | 2 Pages

    Fate can be defined many different ways. Webster's Dictionary defines fate as a power that supposedly predetermines events. Fate is synonymous to the word destiny, which suggests that events are unavoidable and unchangeable. Whatever happens in life is meant to be and cannot be changed by mankind. In Shakespeare's Macbeth, fate plays an important role in the lives of Macbeth, Lady Macbeth and Banquo.

    Read More

  • Destiny, Fate and Free Will in Homer's Odyssey

    2296 Words  | 5 Pages

    Fate seems to defy humanity at every turn.  A man may have his life planned out to the last second, but then some random force intervenes and he dies the second after he has completed his life plan.  Some believe in fate, believing that our lives are predetermined from the moment we are born.  Other people believe that everything is random, the result of some god rolling the dice in a universal poker game.  Still other people believe that each and every person is in total control of his or her destiny, every step of the way.  Who is to say which viewpoint is false?  Every culture has a unique perception of the role of fate in our lives, and no group has the "right answer," simply a different answer.  Taking into consideration the views of other cultures can help an individual refine his personal viewpoint on this inconceivable subject.

    Read More

  • Fate vs. Freedom

    1036 Words  | 3 Pages

    Fate may state what will be in one's life however, how that destiny comes about is a matter of man's own choice. In other words, incidents don't occur because our destinies are written. In the play Macbeth, Shakespeare expertly uses the theme of fate vs. free will and raises the pre-eminent question of which holds power over the characters. In Shakespeare’s tragedy, fate is not the cause of his downfall, his own desires and choices prove to be the deciding factor.

    Read More

  • Essay On Fate And Free Will In Macbeth

    769 Words  | 2 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Fate And Free Will In Shakespeare's Macbeth

    1130 Words  | 3 Pages

    Whether or not the concept of fate is legitimate is regularly debated by many people. Some believe that the events of one’s life are predetermined by a supernatural power, out of human control. Others believe that free will allows us to create our own fate, and that one’s decisions determine how the events of one’s life play out. In William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, both fate and free will are predominant themes in the play. The ever-present supernatural aspect of the play can create an interesting debate over whether or not Macbeth’s downfall could have played out differently, or even been avoided completely. The witches’ prophecies had an impact on Macbeth’s actions, however, it is ultimately free-will that causes his downfall.

    Read More

More about Examples Of Fate Vs Free Will Macbeth

Open Document