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Fate and free will in Shakespeare
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Misfortune to the innocent: Shakespeare’s Tragedy Realistically speaking, the concept of fate tends to be for the optimistic dreamers, those who against all measures believe in the supernatural. However, our imagination for magical existence tends to revive through mesmerizing paranormal films and overall hope. William Shakespeare portrays the idea of fate versus self-will through prophecies and destruction in the tragedy of Macbeth, questioning whether fate is predestined by the witches or self-made. Through Lady Macbeth’s ill intentions, Macbeth’s constant struggles, and ambition Shakespeare reveals this theme of fate versus self-will. Shakespeare enhances Lady Macbeth’s ill intentions through clever malignus language. For example, Lady …show more content…
In the dagger speech, Macbeth begins to question his sanity, “A dagger of mind, a false creation proceeding from a heat-oppressed brain?” (2.1.37-38). In the dagger portion of the tragedy, we get an intell of Macbeth’s thoughts, and at this point where he isn’t sure of his senses, automatically makes him an unreliable character. Through him questioning himself with something as simple as his own vision, a self conflict is presented. Another example of Macbeth’s mental health is when he hallucinates once again with the presence of Banquo’s ghost in the middle of his large dinner gathering, “[To the Ghost] Thou canst not say I did it. Never shake thy gory locks me,” (3.4.60-61). This quote exhibits a hallucination most likely created by Macbeth’s guilty subconscious. as he intends to excuse his faults with the fact that he didn’t literally kill him with his own hands. Macbeth’s inner struggle is with morality, ambition, guilt, and hallucinative states that suggest an unfit mental state. A traumatized, mentally unsuited, manipulated Macbeth makes poor decisions rather than it being fate’s …show more content…
Macbeth grows mad as, “For them the gracious Duncan have I murdered, put rancors in the vessels of my peace only for them, and mine eternal jewel given to the common enemy of man to make them kings, the seeds of Banquo kings,” (3.1.65-69). Although Macbeth doesn’t have any herritants to fight for, he takes it upon himself to further murder the innocent who don’t show any signs of immediate threat. This is an unrecognizable Macbeth compared to Act 1 and 2, he is noticeably becoming frivolous and more adjusted to killing. Any traits of the honorable Macbeth is gone by Act 4 when he orders the death of Macduff’s family, “Seize upon Fife, give to th’ edge o’ sword his wife, his babies, and all unfortunate souls that trace him in his line,” (4.1.151-153). Macbeth’s ambition is so escalated at this point, he’s become paranoid and enrathled in the witches prophecies. In order to abruptly attempt to void Macduff, he murders his entire bloodline without hesitation. Macbeth is so repelled yet attracted to the witches prophecies, he enhances the prophecies that benefit him and fights against the threatening one’s which suggest there is an aware part of him that knows these are all his actions rather than
Mental instability can also be brought about by greed and ambition, as shown through hallucinations in Act 2, scene 1. When Macbeth considers murdering Duncan, he sees a floating dagger that points him in the direction of the sleeping king's room, and questions the dagger to be real or just a “dagger of the mind, a false creation/ Proceeding from the heat-oppressed brain” (2.1). This hallucination of the bloody dagger and Macbeth's uncertainty of what he really sees, symbolizes an instability of the mind. His thoughts of greed and ambition have led to this point of aberration. While hallucinations symbolize the instability of the mind, they also make evident that guilt can be another reoccurring spiritual consequence of greed, as shown in Act 3, scene 4 when Macbeth sees Banquo's ghost. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are holding a banquet after the secret murdering of Banquo, when Macbeth suddenly sees an apparition of Banquo's ghost, which turns out only to be a hallucination. After the strange behavior Macbeth has exhibited, LadyMacbeth asks, "What, quite unmann'd in folly?", hearing Macbeth reply, "If I stand here, I saw him" (3.4). This hallucination that Macbeth sees symbolizes the guilt stained on his soul because of the crime he committed out of greed. Shakespeare uses the symbolism of hallucinations to reveal the instability and guilt that acts of selfishness inflict upon the soul and
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.
Macbeth’s disorder first unfolds when he and his wife, Lady Macbeth, are planning to murder their close comrade King Duncan. In the early scenes of the play, Macbeth questions his state of mind, and his stress and anxiety causes him to imagine things, “Is this a dagger which I see before me, The handle toward my hand” (2.1.33). In preparation for the murder of King Duncan, Macbeth envisions a bloody dagger hovering there in front of him, that will lead him in the evil ways (execution). Macbeth is trying to cover up his hallucinations, “A dagger of the mind, a false creation, Proceeding from the heat-oppressed brain?” (2.1.38-39).
Shakespeare clearly explores the themes ‘Fate and Free Will’, and ‘Ambition’ within this tragedy. Shakespeare weaves these themes around the character of Macbeth, showing us the depth of his insight into human society. Macbeth fell victim to his interpretation of supernatural prophecies and the influence from his wife. His impatience for the throne led to his crimes, subsequent guilt and acknowledgement of his sins. Shakespeare presents Macbeth’s life to his audience as a moral tale, warning them how men should be careful how they regard the ideas of fortune and fate and how in the end, evil intents and actions bring with them their own punishment.
Macbeth’s mental deterioration can be traced through Macbeth's actions leading up to his death. Beginning with Macbeth seeing the floating dagger, “Is this a dagger which I see before me, The handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee.I have thee not,
Macbeth also starts to hallucinate and trouble sleeping with would be caused from the emotional stress that he is going through. As Macbeth is trying to deal with the aftermath of killing the King, he also believes that killing is the only way to fix his problems so he goes on and kills more people. As he tries to hold on to what makes him a man he become less human and even not having to think twice about killing someone. Macbeth becomes merciless in his killings and this causes him to not even care when he kills Banquo and Macduff’s family, because Macbeth believes that murder shows how manly someone
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.
After a long and hard battle, the Sergeant says to King Duncan, “For brave Macbeth,-well he deserves that name,- disdaining fortune, with his brandish’d steel, which smok’d with bloody execution , like valour’s minion carv’d out his passage till he fac’d the slave;” (1.2.16) . This quote shows that Macbeth is viewed as a valiant soldier and a capable leader. However, it does not take long for the real Macbeth to be revealed- a blindly ambitious man, easily manipulated by the prospect of a higher status. His quest for power is what drives his insanity, and after having been deemed the Thane of Cawdor, Macbeth’s ambition can immediately be seen. In a soliloquy, Macbeth says, “Present fears are less than horrible imaginings; my thought, whose murder yet is but fantastica, shakes so my single state of man that function is smother’d in surmise, and nothing is but what is not” (1.3.140). Macbeth has just gained more power, and his immediate thought is of how to gain an even higher status as king. He imagines how to kill Duncan, and then is troubled by his thoughts, telling himself it is wrong. This inner struggle between Macbeth’s ambition and his hesitation to kill Duncan is the first sure sign of his mental deterioration. Although Macbeth does kill Duncan, he questions whether or not he should to do so, which is far different from how Macbeth feels about murder later in the play. Macbeth becomes king, and this power leads
Macbeth’s provocative or violent actions on the challenges placed before him cause him to build an effect of downfall and dismay throughout the play. Originally, Macbeth handles his challenges in different ways and manners and is constantly changing his procedure. From handling situations carefully to not caring, Macbeth and his violence resulted in guilt and selfishness which he had to overcome. By the end of the play, Macbeth had become a selfish, greedy king and the challenges as well as experiences he encountered shaped him into who he is. He was shaped by the guilt of killing Banquo and Duncan, just to become powerful and a king. For example, in Act 3 Scene 4, Macbeth faces adversity when his mind creates a ghost of Banquo, who he just found out was killed. In Macbeth, the uprising of adversity was often handled in various manners. By dealing with his own challenges, Macbeth transforms his handling of adversity from being cautious to thoughtless, which reflected his character and the transformation he portrayed throughout the
A combination of Macbeth’s ambition and paranoia lead to many senseless murders. He killed his best friend Banquo out of fear and he senselessly murdered Macduff’s family. The hallucination of Banquo’s ghost is a representation of Macbeth 's guilt, all of Macbeth’s guilt is manifested in the ghost. Macbeth states that he feels guilty because of the murders. “Ay, and since too, murders have been performed Too terrible for the ear.” (III, iv, 80-81) Seeing the ghost of Banquo is the breaking point for Macbeth. The ghost also causes him to think more irrationally which leads to the murder of Macduff. Also, after the murder of Duncan, Macbeth is full of regret and guilt. The voices he hears reflect his mental state. “Methought I heard a voice cry, “Sleep no more!” (II, ii, 35) His innocence was killed and he knows that he has to live with this guilt for the rest of his life, hence Macbeth will never sleep peacefully ever again. After each successive murder, Macbeth becomes more and more inhumane. “I am in blood Stepped in so far that, should I wade no more, Returning were as tedious as go o 'er.” (III, iv, 143-145) Macbeth claims that after committing a murder, there is no turning back. He killed his best friend due to his ambition and fear. The third murder was outright moralless and unnecessary, he compulsively killed Macduff’s wife and children. Macbeth shows no remorse in his murders, he becomes an absolute monster towards the end of the play. As Macbeth loses his human morales, hallucinations appear to remind him of the sins he
At the start of the play, Macbeth is known to be a fearless and known to value the trust of others. To demonstrate, during the battle between Norway and Scotland, a wounded soldier described Macbeth as “sparrows, eagles, or the hare, the lion.” (1.2.39). Namely, Macbeth before choosing to murder Duncan also first reminds himself that he is a loyal kinsman to his king and should not commit the murder. “First, I am his kinsman and his subject, / Strong both against…Not bear the knife myself” (1.7.13-16). Nevertheless, Macbeth becomes much more fearful and suspicious of others in fear of losing power. For instance, Macbeth schemes to murder Banquo and Fleance out of the fear that Banquo’s sons could possibly become King. “To be thus is nothing, But to be safely thus: Our fears in Banquo stick deep;” (3.1.52-54). Through the act of hiring murderers to commit this deed also shows cowardice and fear over guilt itself. Moreover, the extent of his paranoia can also be seen when he tells Lady Macbeth: “There’s not a one of them but in his house/ I keep a servant fee’d” (3.4.132-133). It shows that Macbeth has developed fear in lords not involved in the conflict as well. In short, Macbeth’s development of paranoia has also led to his downfall by paranoia as it results in him depriving his inner
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.
Macbeth is a true Shakespearian tragedy, in which mast murders take place, in order for one man and women to take the throne and become king and queen. It starts with Duncan’s murder, which is done because Macbeth did not want to see Duncan’s son next in line for the throne and the only way to prevent that was by eliminating Duncan. The nest murder was that of Banquo. Banquo is a friend of Macbeth and his murder is un-predictable. Macbeth may have feared that if he did not kill Banquo, Banquo would kill him in order to gain a position power seeing that the witch’s just informed both Macbeth and Banquo that Macbeth will be the next King of Scotland and Banquo will never have the chance to hold the throne. Once Banquo is out of the way, Macbeth turns his attention to his real target, King MaCduff. Although at first hesitant about killing MaCduff, Macbeth chooses to murder MaCduff, a man who Macbeth himself said was a good man and a fine leader. The last murder is of MaCduff’s family. Macbeth can not take any chances and must kill any associated with the former king (King MaCduff). The murder of MaCduff’s wife and son is the most vicious crime of them all because for one we see the killing on stage and number two a child is murdered, the most vicious and horrific thing one can show. Macbeth murders for personal gain and has no regrets or else he would not have continued his mass slaughtering. Macbeth is responsible for these murders because he commits them himself, without any assistance, he kills everyone out of necessity, and because all these acts were done out of free will.
One of the most important themes in Macbeth involves the witches' statement in Act 1, Scene1 that "fair is foul and foul is fair." (Act 1, Scene 1, Line 10) This phrase aptly describes the macabre status quo within the character Macbeth and without. When Macbeth and Banquo first see the weird sisters, Banquo is horrified by their hideous appearances. Conversely, Macbeth immediately began to converse with these universally known evil creatures. After hearing their prophecies, one can say that Macbeth considered the witches to be "fair" when in reality their intentions were quite "foul." Macbeth's possession of the titles of Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor and King of Scotland came by foul means. Macbeth became the Thane of Glamis by his father Sinel's death; he became Thane of Cawdor when the former namesake was executed for treason; and he was ordained King of Scotland after murdering the venerable Duncan. Thus, Macbeth has a rather ghastly way of advancing in life.
The witches do not force him to kill Duncan, but they do plant the idea is his head. After murdering Duncan, Macbeth made the decision to murder the guards, making Macduff suspicious of him. He also chooses to kill Banquo, and Macduff’s family. His actions are the reason that his life ended in the way that it did. At the beginning of his moral conflict he says in an aside “If chance will have me king, why chance may crown me without my stir” (1. 3. 143-144). Macbeth is thinking to himself that if he is meant to be king by fate, he should just sit back and let it happen. He does not want to betray his king. After some careful thought, Macbeth chooses to take matters into his own hands by murdering the king. He was not influenced by the witches when he makes the decision to have Macduff’s family murdered. In an attempt to scare Macduff and show that he does not fear the Thane of Fife, Macbeth seals his own fate and ensures his death. Shortly after the death of his children and wife, Macduff returns to Scotland for revenge.