Fate Vs Choice In Shakespeare's Macbeth

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In William Shakespeare’s tragedy of Macbeth, he presents the themes of fate versus choice, good in contrast to evil and appearance compared to reality. Fate versus choice and good in contrast to evil is widely portrayed through Macbeth as he had the choice to do the actions he carried and is the main key to his downfall and his sense of right and wrong gradually diminishes. Appearance compared to reality is expressed through Lady Macbeth as she appears to be the perfect hottest to King Duncan when in reality herself and Macbeth are plotting to kill King Duncan so they can rise to power. In the tragedy of Macbeth, Shakespeare uses these various themes to outline how Macbeth changes from a compassionate, caring and loving husband to person who …show more content…

Macbeth is aware of his fate through the prophecy of the witches but believes only his actions can fulfil it. We first see fate and choice when the witches make their prophecy, “All hail, Macbeth, hail to thee. Thane of Cawdor!”, through this the witches are foreshadowing Macbeth’s fate which is yet to come. Throughout the tragedy Macbeth attempts to take fate into his won hands. “false face must hide what the false heart doth know.” Through this Macbeth is explaining that he is innocence although he had the choice to kill King Duncan. Through fate versus choice it relates to a contemporary audience today as in todays society fate and free will is mirrored in the complexion of relationships which is similar to Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s relationship as Macbeth’s actions were largely influences through the power Lady Macbeth has over …show more content…

Lady Macbeth particularly outlines appearances compared to reality when she appears to be the perfect hostess when King Duncan stays at their home when in reality herself and Macbeth are planning to kill King Duncan. Lady Macbeth’s statement of “Look like the innocent flower but be like the serpent under it “, through this she is trying to conceive Macbeth to become a villain and kill King Duncan. The appearance of blood on both the hands of macbeth and Lady Macbeth is an image that represents the guilt and fear of their brutal crime. Appearance versus reality is relevant to a contemporary audience as it can relate to people on social media as people have the power to photoshop their photos and can appear to be someone they are not. This can also relate to societies lack of realism, they they can open up to the public about the great things in their life and make people not understand the true meaning of them and who they are. This largely relates to Macbeth as he creates this image of himself that he is a great King for his people but in reality he is a murder and through his ambitious nature only wants

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