macbeth essay

Submitted By davistaelor
Words: 940
Pages: 4
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Taelor Davis
10th honors
Ms. Hanson
3/20/2013
Macbeth: Fate vs. Free Will A theme that is common in any situation is Fate vs. Free Will. When someone allows something to happen and thinks of it as if it is meant to be then it will happen; this is the fate part of the theme. Now, the free will part is when one takes matters into their own hands. Meaning that they make it come true and think of it as if it is want they want then it is what they will get. In the play Macbeth fate and free will are both portrayed. It is very arguable as to which one portrays itself more. The side that will be discussed is free will. Free will is at work most in the play because Macbeth chooses to make himself king, tell Banquo to stick with him, and murder Duncan. In the beginning of Macbeth the text denounces free will when it states: “That is a step on which I must fall down, or else o’erlap, / For in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires; / Let not light see my black and deep desires. / The eye wink at the hand, yet let that be / Which the eye fears, when it is done, to see.” (I.iv.50-55). This is free will because Macbeth is saying that he has to take matters into his own hands. He is saying this because Malcolm is prince of Cumberland and Macbeth thinks that Malcolm is in his way. To elaborate more the witches tell Macbeth that he is going to become thane of Glamis and thane of Cawdor. Macbeth feels as though his authority is not going to come fast enough so he thinks Malcolm is in his way and he has to do something about it. Although some would argue that it is fate because the witches did not specify how everything was to happen, but if one were to finish the book they would see that all of the crime and deaths probably would not have happened if Macbeth would have let fate choose how to make these prophesies come true. Another way Shakespeare emphasizes free will is when Macbeth states: “If you shall cleave to my consent, when ‘tis, / It shall make honor of you.” (II.i.24-25). Banquo responds by saying: “So I lose none / In seeking to augment it, but still keep / My bosom franchised and allegiance clear, / I shall be counselled.” (II.i.26-28). In this conversation Macbeth is telling Banquo that if he sticks with him that he will do what he can to make sure Banquo gets his reward. Banquo has no problem with going along as long as he can do it with a clear conscience and not have to lose any sleep over whatever it is that has to be done. This emphasizes free will because Macbeth is basically saying that he will do anything in his will power to make sure that Banquo is given the reward he deserves for going along with Macbeth’s plan. Whether someone gets hurt or not, he is very sure that Banquo will get his reward. This is another way the play emphasizes free will. A third way the play illustrates free will is when the text says, “No son of mine succeeding. If’t be so, / For Banquo’s issue have I filed my mind; / For them the gracious Duncan have I murdered; / Put rancors in the vessel of my peace / Only for them; and mine eternal jewel” (III.i.64-68). He also goes on to say, “To make them kings, the seed of Banquo’s kings! / Rather than so, come
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