Fate In Macbeth

“Whatever exists has already been named, and what humanity is has been known; no one can contend with someone who is stronger” (New International Version, Ecc. 6.10). Every action, decision, and choice one makes is based upon fate. Something that may seem accidental is actually a predetermined action laid out by the laws of nature. Fate is unalterable regardless of one’s efforts. If one attempts to alter fate then grave consequences will follow their misguided attempt. William Shakespeare displays this idea in The Tragedy of Macbeth, through the main character, Macbeth. Macbeth continuously tries to turn his back on fate but each time realizes that it was a mistake. Shakespeare comments on the predetermined principles of fate through Macbeth’s

In act IV scene I, Macbeth visits the witches in order to learn of the future. Macbeth learns that no man born of a woman can harm him, this causes Macbeth to become overconfident. However when in a duel against Macduff, Macduff reveals that he was “from his mother’s womb/ Untimely ripped” (V. viii. 15-16). The prophecy that the witches foretold came true because Macduff was born of a cesarean section. The audience learns that fate is predetermined through this prophecy that transpires later in the play. Another prime example of a prophecy unfolding is when the third apparition in the form of a crowned child holding a tree branch appears before Macbeth. The apparition said that he shall not be defeated until Birnam wood moves toward Dunsinane. Macbeth becomes confident that he is undefeatable because the prophecy sounds absurd. However, this prophecy does come true when Malcolm suggests to “[l]et every soldier hew him down a bough/ And bear ’t before him. Thereby shall we shadow/ The numbers of our host and make discovery/ Err in report of us” (V. iv 4-7) This prophecy comes true because the woods actually did approach Dunsinane. The woods move toward Dunsinane physically because the soldiers carry the branches as they move in toward Dunsinane. The crowned child represents Malcolm and the tree branch represents the English army carrying tree branches in front of

Macbeth learns of Banquo's prophecy to father a line of heirs and becomes enraged because he himself wants to father many heirs to the throne. In order to achieve this goal he decides to murder Banquo and his son. He hires three murderers to kill them and after the murder of Banquo takes place, the third murderer says “There’s but one down. The son is fled” (III.iii. 20). Macbeth’s attempt at altering fate fails because Fleance escapes, leaving an heir to Banquo who will ascend to the throne. Fleance is destined to become a King and there is nothing Macbeth can do to prevent this from occurring. Macbeth’s attempt to murder Fleance failed, from this the audience can see the unchangeable and predetermined nature of fate. As the play progresses Macbeth becomes convinced that Fleance will stay hidden and not become a threat because of his father’s murder. However, when he visits the witches he surprisingly sees a cauldron of eight future kings: “Thou art too like the spirit of Banquo [. . .] Horrible sight! Now I see ‘tis true, / For the blood-boltered Banquo smiles upon me/ And points at them for his” (IV. i. 112-124). From this scene, Macbeth realizes his plan of killing Banquo fails in more ways than one. Not only did he fail to kill Fleance but he also fails to prevent Fleance from producing multiple future heirs eligible to ascend the throne. Even