The play Macbeth revolves around many themes including one without which all the other seem pointless- is Macbeth in control of his actions or do the predictions of the witches and apparitions control his fate? While Macbeth’s future was foretold as fact, was he still in control of his actions and could he possibly escaped the seemingly inevitable death that ended the play. The idea of destiny has entered into the minds of many and most seem to have adopted the idea that “I control my fate.” However, this rather egotistic statement suggests that the only things that happen to a person are the result of that person’s previous actions. If a person traveling on the highway follows every traffic law and gets hit by and eighteen-wheeler, did that person do anything to cause such an accident? No, that person was simply subjected to the repercussion of another driver’s actions. This line of reasoning led to the idea of Karma and the statement “what goes around comes around.” This idea finds its flaw in explaining the death of a baby, as its only reasoning is that someone else’s mistake led ...
Throughout the play, Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, Macbeth continuously makes bad choices and the consequences of these decisions catch up to Macbeth and result in his mental deterioration, however with Macbeth’s almost infant feel for ambition this makes him susceptible to manipulation, which then grows into an insatiable appetite for power. The acts of this, with the manipulation from outsiders, causes his blind ambition, his false sense of security and then finally his guilt, which all contribute to his derangement. Some will argue that all the choices made by Macbeth were continuously his own, that he had these opportunities as a man to put his foot down and say no, and be able to draw the line where things should come to an end, the fault of a mental deterioration was not there, that from the beginning Macbeth was an evil man who had a twisted way of achieving things. Macbeth’s ambition is to remain king for as long as possible, and he will kill anybody who stops this from happening. Macbeth feels as if he was given a childless rule, and that his legacy will not continue on in fear his rule will be taken away by someone outside his family.
The underlying cause of Macbeth’s fate was his own actions and ambitions. He possesses his own free-will and kills King Duncan despite the deed being so cruel and nothing forcing his hand (Doc C). Lady Macbeth has no power over his actions. She may only influence thoughts and opinions. The Weïrd Sisters too, while highly convincing to him, have no physical power over Macbeth’s actions. After acquiring his title of Thane of Cawdor, he recognizes that if these predictions were absolute, then “chance may crown [him],/Without [his] stir.” (Doc A). If the predictions were truly ultimate, then action would not be required. However, because he still felt the need to ensure his position as king, he tempts fate and pays the price. There was no outer force controlling Macbeth’s actions and he is fully
The destiny or fate following as effect from cause, also known as karma, overall classifies as an abstract idea. No one really knows if it is substantial or not; therefore, creating a lot of skeptics when it comes this concept. In life, when a person puts themselves aside and does a good deed for another, karma comes back in many forms for them. For example, when one does something charitable, later they may discover a ten dollar bill on the ground; some may believe karma disguised itself as the money while others deny that and claim it as no more than simply a coincidence. Skeptics deny and doubt any opinions regarding whether one’s actions, good or bad, find a way back at them; however, in the short story Sweat by Zora Neale Hurston, it seems that what goes
Based on what has been read Macbeth seems to overcome what seems to be his “fate” every time in the story. For example, in the story when Macbeth comes upon the 3 witches, “the witches prophesy” in Act I Scene I – Scene III distinguishes his or Banquo’s “future” rise to power in the main land of Scotland, by committing disgusting
Everyone has control over something, weather it be themselves, someone else, or a possession, they have control. Throughout the play “MacBeth”, by William Shakespeare, Macbeth is so called controlled by three witches and their fate. Macbeth is not a helpless victim of fate as he was completely in control, so he was responsible for his actions that he committed.
There are many different outlooks on this question. Some view it as a story of fate, and some see it as a story of free will. This is seen in two different movie adaptations of Macbeth, the Polanski adaptation and the Wells adaptation. Polanski’s version focuses more on the natural world, and the decisions that Macbeth makes. He shows the characters’ psychological positions, and why it makes them do the things that they do. Welles’ is more surrealistic, and shows the characters as only being pawns in a fate that they have no control over. (Harper). Movie adaptations provide an interesting insight into how different people view the original text of the play.
Macbeth’s blind ambition leads him to surrender to his dark desires that taunt him throughout the play. Macbeth is frequently tempted to result to the wrongful methods that seem to roam inside of him. In the beginning however Macbeth tends to ignore these desires and depends on chance. He declares “if chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me, without my stir” (Shakespeare, act 1, scene 3, 143-144). This declaration by Macbeth shows his initial stand, which is reliant on fate and sin free. Yet as Macbeth’s character develops throughout the play, he moves farther from his dependence on chance and closer to his darker desires. Eventually his blind ambition to become king overp...
instill in him the need to be King. Still, desire is not enough for Macbeth and he is thus driven "to seek certainty as his one objective. He wants certainty from the witches . . . at whatever cost" (Campbell 228). Macbeth, however, is not completely lost yet; honour and justice remain in him, and although it takes him some time to fully consider the consequences of the witches' words on him, he rejects his horrible thoughts of murder and postpones all action: "If chance will have me king, why,chance may crown me, / Without my stir" (I. iii.143-144). For the time being, Macbeth's true essence is in control, that of loyalty and honour.
When Macbeth becomes king he controls almost everyone, from servants to assassins. He even attempts to order the three witches to do his bidding. However, Macbeth’s actions and demeanor later in the play are the result of Lady Macbeth, who holds sway over her husband. It is she who at first coaxes and controls Macbeth, resulting in the change in his personality. The supernatural, in particular the three witches, exert control over both Macbeth and his lady. In fact, it is their influences that initiate the sequence of events, and are therefore an integral part of the play.
...ophecies and the active role of Lady Macbeth, Macbeth cannot be considered solely responsible for his wrongdoing and ultimate tragic end. Although it was his tragic flaw that ultimately destroys him, Macbeth is deceived, tricked, and persuaded throughout the play into believing and doing a variety of things that would lead to this destruction. Because the witches spark Macbeth’s interest through the hopeful prophecies of his future, his natural reaction is to have more curiosity and to want to fulfill the prophecies by any means. Lady Macbeth’s blunt advice to just perform the action without thought is what numbs Macbeth to realizing how his ambition is affecting him. Finally, Macbeth does eventually face his death due to his tragic flaw, but his downfall involved many others who should also claim some responsibility regarding this downfall and Macbeth’s tragic end.
Karma is the ancient belief that every action has a negative or positive reaction, balancing the universe. Through Lady Macbeth, Shakespeare teaches the audience that all actions have consequences. She wanted the best for herself, but hurt others to achieve that. So, what could have been an astounding life turned into a living hell?
Although there are supernatural forces at work on Macbeth, Macbeth holds responsibility for his demise due to the actions he willingly decides to take which are rooted from his own ambition, fear, and ignorance.
Macbeth in “Macbeth” tragedy is one of the most complex characters of all the Shakespeare’s other characters. In the beginning this character is presented as a capable and brave warrior .Later on we see a Macbeth ambitious , with a weak character, a murder who thinks nothing but having power and not losing it . So in my opinion he really is a victim of his own desires .And that is for many reasons .
A topic that is much explored within Shakespeare’s Macbeth is that of fate and free will. The tragedy of Macbeth demonstrates that everyone is ultimately responsible for shaping their destinies through their choices and actions. This theme is most exemplified in Macbeth’s transformation from Thane of Cawdor to King of Scotland. Since Macbeth becomes King of Scotland through his decision to murder Duncan, it is free will, not fate, that induces his destiny. This idea is evident when Macbeth states, “If chance will have me king,/ why, chance may crown me without my stir” (I, iii, 143-144). Macbeth believes that if fate will lead him to kingship, he need not act to ensure the witches’ prophecy becomes fulfilled. However, once he takes matters
In Macbeth, free choice, not fate, is to blame for Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s actions. Firstly, the witches never say that Macbeth must kill Duncan in order to be king. When the clairvoyant witches give Macbeth his prophecy, they say, “All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!” (Macbeth Act I Sc III li.51). Since the witches do not say that Macbeth will kill the current king in order to claim the throne, one could argue that Macbeth’s decision to murder Duncan was of free choice. Another line proves that free choice undid Macbeth. After Macbeth receives the title of thane of Cawdor without any action on his behalf, he decides, “If chance will have me king, why, chance/ may crown me/ without my stir” (Macbeth Act 1 Sc 3 li.47-49). This