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Hope Schuster Mr. Jourdan Advanced Place Preparation 1/6/13 The Power Struggle of Fate and Free Will The Tragedy of Macbeth has many references to fate and free will. The Witches represent fate. Banquo represents free will. Macbeth represents the power struggle between the fate and free will. The question is, does fate overpower free will, or vice-versa, or are they both equally powerful? As you When it is believed that fate is more powerful, you feel it is felt as if there is no free will. And as you And when it is believed free will is more powerful, you feel it is felt that fate doesnt matter. Fate and free will interact and influence each other. In The Tragedy of Macbeth the witches can see the future. This is first discovered in the beginning of the play, the witches tell Macbeth three prophecies which are, Thane of Glamis...Thane of Cawdor...that shalt be king hereafter (1.3.51-53). The witches knew that Macbeth was going to become this evil-spirited person. This can be proved when Hecate comes to see the Witches and she gets very angry at them for telling Macbeth his fate, without consulting her. She says to them,How did you dare, To trade and traffic with Macbeth In riddles and affairs of death...And I, the mistress of your charms...Was never called to bear my part Or show the glory of our art? (Shakespeare. 3. 5. 4-9). So, by telling Macbeth the prophecies did the Witches plant a seed inside Macbeths head, that causes him to act this way? This question can be explained by going through his actions in the play. that causes him to think that he has full control of his future? Or in reality, did fate have everything to do with Macbeths actions? This can be answered by looking at the different actions of Banquo and Macbeth.

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For example, The first prophecies cause Macbeth to believe that fate overpowers free will. This is proved when Macbeth is told the three prophecies by the witches. Since Macbeth believes that fate overpowers free will, the Witches have, in a way Jumpstarted his fate. The Witches told Macbeth what would come, but they did not tell him how he would get there. Leaving Macbeth with his thoughts about how he would make true those prophecies. He would have never thought about killing Duncan before the prophecies, but now that is all that he can think about. Macbeth is in a battle with his inner self and he is very confused. Macbeth describes his confusion in this soliloquy, Hes 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. (1.7.11-16). As When Macbeth is on his way to go kill Duncan, he hallucinates and sees a dagger. Macbeth says, Is this a dagger which I see before me, the handle before my hand?...Thou marshalst me the way that I was going (2.1.44-54). Could Macbeth see this dagger as a sign of fate that he is meant to kill Duncan to fulfill the prophecies or is it just a mind looming in thought of evil deeds? Macbeth thinks that fate controls him, so he sees the dagger as a sign that he has to do kill Duncan. Also, Macbeth sees the dagger as a message from his subconscious, which is trying to save him from doing a horrible deed. Now, to look at Macbeths actions upon the first prophecies, which are very evil and out of character from the Macbeth weve known in the beginning of the play. Macbeth does some very evil and horrible actions to fulfill the first prophecies. First, Macbeth kills the king in order to ensure the prophecies his fate. After that, Then the kings sons, Malcolm and Donalbain, run away for they fear for their life, and Macbeth becomes the king. After this happens Macbeth begins to become very paranoid about losing his power. He believes that everyone is out to take the throne from under him, just like he did to King Duncan. Macbeth even has his best friend,

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Banquo, killed because he suspects that Banquo knows that he killed the king. To do this, Macbeth hires two murderers. When he is speaking to them he says, Know Banquo was your enemy to make absolutely sure that they will kill him. (3.1.130). Macbeth does all of this just to ensure that his fate is sealed. Macbeth even kills Macduffs family because he had turned against him, which is another way of his to ensure his fate. After this happens The audience is now aware that we are dealing with a ruthless Macbeth. The audience knows this because, when Macbeth was plotting to kill the king, he constantly needed Lady Macbeth to keep convincing him to do it. Now, Macbeth is making decisions to do evil deeds on his own, without the help of Lady Macbeth, and he doesnt hesitate. Now, to discuss how Macbeth believes that free will overpowers fate in the second prophecies. First of all, when Macbeth goes to see the witches, a witch says, By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes (4.1.44-45). Even the witches, people who work closely with the devil think that Macbeth is wicked. The audience knows that Macbeth is a totally different person. As Macbeth demands to know more prophecies, he will not accept them coming from the Witches. The second prophecies are given to him in apparitions which state, Beware Macduff...for none of woman born shall harm Macbeth...Macbeth shall never be vanquished be until Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane hill. (4.1.81-107). Macbeth feels that he is very secure in these prophecies because he believes that free will overpowers fate, even though these prophecies are very deceitful. Furthermore, Macbeth has a false sense of security in the second prophecies. Macbeth thinks that he is in control of everything in his life. Which causes him to think that he will never have to worry. Macbeth is too comfortable in the prophecies, and they end up hurting him instead of helping him, because they were deceitful. Another point of his false sense of security

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is when, Macbeth tells his servants to ignore Malcolms army until Birnam wood moves to Dunsinane hill. Then, Malcolm gets an idea, The wood of Birnam. Let every soldier hew him down a bough and beart before him. which will hide their numbers from Macbeth. (5.4.5-7). After this prophecy comes true, Macbeth realizes that he does have something to worry about. So, he then relies on the first and second prophecies. Macbeth then becomes the fierce warrior from the beginning of the play. He is not going to go down without a fight. After he kills Siwards son, Macbeth says, with my sword Ill prove the lie though speakst. Thou wast born of woman (5.7.13-15). Macbeth also doesnt know that Macduff wasnt born of woman he was born of c-section. Macduff reveals this when they are fighting and he says,Tell thee Macduff was from his mothers womb untimely ripped (5.8.19-20). This news is shocking to Macbeth, because he now knows that Macduff can hurt him. Now to discuss Banquo, he knows his fate, but chooses not to act upon it. The witches prophecies for him are, Lesser than Macbeth and greater. Not so happy, yet much happier. Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none. (1.3.65-69). Banquo could have just as easily killed the king to help his sons out, but he didnt because he refuses to go against the king. Banquo describes this unwillingness when he is speaking with Macbeth, before Macbeth kills Duncan. Banquo tells Macbeth, If you shall cleave to my consent, when tis it shall make honor for you. So I lose none in seeking to augment it, but still keep my bosom franchised and allegiance clear. (2.1.34-38). Banquo acts as Macbeths last hope for his own free will, in the deed his about to commit. Banquo knows that he can use his free will to control what he can do to affect his fate. Yet he still believes that his prophecies will come true, But that myself should be the root and father of many kings. If there come truth from them. he just doesnt know how or when (3.1.5-

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6). The main difference between Macbeth and Banquo is, Banquo uses free will to overpower his fate. While Macbeth is easily deceived by fate. In conclusion, in The Tragedy of Macbeth, fate and free will play a crucial role in the plot. Fate and free will also influence and interact with each other. Fate and free will are both equally powerful. Even though one may seem more powerful at one time, but in reality the other is still fully in effect.