Examples Of Free Will In Macbeth

Fate or Free will? Macbeth was a play written by Shakespeare in 1606. This play was written in the Elizabethan era which means it was not written in modern english but more of a classical version. The play’s summary is of a man, Macbeth, at first a trustworthy and kind man turning into a ruthless and sinful demon caused by greed and obsession for power. The question of is Macbeth driven by the fate set into the play by the three witches or by his own free will has been fought over for years and still is today. Evidence found in the play leads one to believe Macbeth’s fall was due to the choices he made with free will such as; he was influenced by others, he second guessed himself, and he tried contradicting the three witches’ predictions in hope of reformat. In the plot of the play Macbeth is influenced by many people, some more than others. The most influential person to Macbeth in the play is Lady Macbeth. In Macbeth,

Right before he and his wife go to kill Duncan, his conscience kicks in. In Macbeth, Macbeth says, “He’s here in double trust:/ First, as I am his kinsman and his subject,/ Strong both against the deed: then, as his host,/ Who should against his murderer shut the door,/ Not bear the knife myself. Besides, this Duncan/ Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been/ So clear in office, that his virtues/ Will plead like angels,” (I.Vll.12-19). All of the guilt about to happen and nerves kicks Macbeth into a full drone conscience. He starts second guessing everything his wife and himself have been thinking about doing. After a huge conversation with Lady Macbeth, he is convinced this is the way to go and they proceed with the plan. The point is that he had second guessed himself and actually considered if he should go along with the plan or not. This tells the reader Macbeth had a choice and even though it was not right, he still had full control over his