...Free will and predestination has been debated for centuries and is a key component in the play Macbeth. Written by Shakespeare, Macbeth is the protagonist in Macbeth who strives to become king after hearing of the witches prophecy. Having free will, Macbeth’s life is not predetermined, as he has active control over his actions, choices, and his fate. Macbeth often questions in his own free will due to many of the witches prophecies, which always seem to be true. Macbeth, taking the prophecies as fate, is influenced into killing many of the people close to him and eventually leads to his death. The world seemly lacking free will, the witches appear to see fate. The first lines of the play they state”When shall we three meet again?/ In thunder,...
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...The question of fate and free-will appears numerous times in ancient, tragic dramas. But none is more apparent than in Shakespeare’s play, “MacBeth.” Just like a cancerous cell rapidly dividing, the Weird Sister’s prophecies for MacBeth had set a chain of events, but it was eventually his own actions that lead to his downfall. Although MacBeth was not given a dying speech, Act 5, Scene 7, lines 27-34 could sufficiently be his final speech. We first see MacBeth as a loyal servant to King Duncan. He composes himself with nobility, honor, and bravery. As the concept of him becoming king was planted in his head, the idea eventually takes ahold of him. After we read his first murder, MacBeth’s hands were further tinted with blood as he takes...
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...Was Macbeth’s murder of Duncan an act of fate or free will? In Macbeth, written by William Shakespeare, a Scottish general who becomes king after three witches report his future to him, murders the King of Duncan to obtain the throne. Shakespeare utilized the philosophy that free will is paramount in the development of the character and clearly Macbeth chose his own path causing his ultimate demise. Throughout the story, Shakespeare uses his tone to show how Macbeth’s future is determined by his free will. In plenty of instances, like the murder of Duncan, Macbeth chose to act upon this in order to further his chances of obtaining the throne. The Witches proclaimed to Macbeth, explaining his fate but he denied it, preaching this, “For in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires; Let not light see my black and deep desires” (29.55). This quote is evident because Macbeth's motivation to become king represents his free will in possessing the throne. Macbeth knows that being king is meant for him, but is willing to do whatever it takes to make sure it remains in his grasp. As well as that, Macbeth also states that he will commit to anything to...
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...Macbeth Final Project Living in a world where even nature is at war with itself is challenging, and only the bravest, good-hearted people will emerge triumphant. The play Macbeth is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare and takes place in eleventh-century Scotland. Featuring a plot full of twists and turns, readers are hooked throughout the play. Even when the main character, Macbeth, is enticed to commit a treacherous deed which causes a chain of murders and deceptions that eventually lead to Macbeth’s unsightly demise people cannot put down this play. It is a masterpiece giving insight into human nature, and temptation. Proving that only the characters who remain true to themselves will escape unscathed from this backward place; because, in a world where people mask their true intentions, they sacrifice their beliefs, and lose sight of who they are. People mask their true intentions when the prospect of future gain is offered. This is evident because Macbeth openly expresses his distaste in Duncan’s murder when he tells...
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...are unavoidable and unchangeable. Whatever happens in life is meant to be and cannot be changed by mankind. The play Macbeth by William Shakespeare displays ambition, fate, deception and treachery. Fate is a supernatural force that controls the actions and choices of others. In Macbeth fate plays an important role in the lives of Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, and Banquo. Macbeth’s fate is unavoidable and unchangeable. Macbeth’s fate is sealed as soon as he meets the witches’. Macbeth’s fate is tragic. Macbeth and Banquo are together...
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...Lastly, people are prisoners of their minds by believing fate will bring them to a path that they want. In “Macbeth”, Macbeth goes to the witches to ask them about his fate. He believes that the witches’ prophecies are true, so he went to them and asked them about it. Another scenario would be Macbeth asking for fate to aid him in his battle. He believes that fate will put him where he is supposed to be in his life. So, he asks for fate to guide him in his battles. For the first example for this topic, Macbeth goes to the three witches and gets his prophecies from them. The witches tell him his prophecies and Macbeth felt that they are safe. Macbeth says, “Sweet bedoments! Good!” (4.1.100).Macbeth believes what the witches are saying and believes...
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...Don’t be misled by the idea that fate is the reason for the actions that are made in your life. Freewill and the choices you commit play a bigger part in your future rather than destiny. Destiny and fate are concepts based on the belief that there is a fixed natural order to the universe. This is unmistakably demonstrated the 17th century play Macbeth. Shakespeare has most definitely positioned the audience to view Macbeth as a partial victim of fate, through the use of dramatic technique and manipulation of language. He is under the influence of the supernatural forces of the witches. However, Shakespeare also portrays Macbeth as a man of action that freely shapes his own future through his own decisions and actions. This is clearly made evident...
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...Tragic Hero Macbeth may seem like a tragic hero but in definition of to be, you must completely be that thing. Macbeth follows some of the guidelines for a tragic hero but not all of them. Macbeth is a man that was making unintelligent mistakes that he thought would bring him to his foretold future. Even after he was told who the only people who could kill him, he still failed from a small misstatement. A tragic hero is someone who is doomed to fail, but it’s entirely dependent on fate and they cannot do anything otherwise. Macbeth is not a tragic hero because he had evil intentions, had free will, and he could have been destined for greatness. Macbeth was an evil man in reality. When receiving the information from the witches that he would...
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...example in the story Macbeth by William Shakespeare, the main character Macbeth, is highly influenced by three Witches and his wife to do terrible and unforgettable deeds. Therefore the three Witches, Lady Macbeth, and Macbeth all share blame for the mysterious tragedies that are afflicted on various characters. “Double, double toil and and trouble,” the three Witches cackled as they persuaded and foreshadowed Macbeth’s future empire and mistakes. As of this quote this is the first time that the Witches have appeared and told Macbeth about various actions and foreshadowed prophecies. The three Witches state, “All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis!/ All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor!/ All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be King hereafter!” (Act I, sc 3...
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...Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, is not a play of fate; but instead, it is a tragedy that is a result from the freewill and unruly greed of Macbeth. The witches only make suggestions about Macbeth becoming king in the future; they do not cast spells or have control over Macbeth, which will secure that their predictions come true. However, it is Macbeth’s thoughts that occur after his encounter with the witches that lead him to kill King Duncan and secure his title, which leads to a number of consequences. It is free will, not fate that leads to Macbeth’s madness and destruction. Therefore, through observations of the text, Macbeth is clearly illustrated as a villain who exercises his free will which leads to his own downfall, the witches are not at fault at all. Macbeth’s freewill is portrayed through his actions before and after the murder of King Duncan. There is no proof to show that the weird sisters are valid sources or that they are women that can see the future. The witches simply tell Macbeth and Banquo news that has already been revealed to the public, which any individual with access to the news of Scottish politics or who are associated with the royals. This news convinces Macbeth that the witches might have the ability to predict his future. Although he is a little hesitant to put his complete trust in the minds of the witches, the scene where he meets with them is enough to give Macbeth the feeling that he must do whatever it takes in order to make him King. The...
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...Macbeth Journal Entry # 9 Keep up with your Journals for Macbeth—you will turn all of them in at the end of the unit. “Dispute it like a man.” “I shall do so; / but I must also feel it as a man…” “Let grief / convert to anger; blunt not the heart, enrage it.” 1. Write these quotes at the top of your entry and identify the speakers. 2. Respond to the three quotes above. Use the questions below as guides, but if other things come to your mind, feel free to DV8. Remember, as always, journals are informal, so content is much more important than grammar. a. Do you blame Macduff for abandoning his family? Why or why not? b. Compare this opinion of “manhood” to Lady Macbeth and Macbeth’s view from earlier in the play. Which is more familiar? Explain any connections you see between your view of manhood and the two from the play. c. How is the theme of revenge portrayed through the play? Positively? Negatively? Necessary? Unnecessary? When is revenge warranted? How is a “man” supposed to handle his grief? Do the two speakers agree? d. Who is the “bigger man” Macduff, who wants to stand and fight, but weeps for the loss of his family, or Macbeth who, despite initial misgivings, is guided by his ambition for money and power despite the consequences? Macbeth Journal Entry # 9 Keep up with your Journals for Macbeth—you will turn all of them in at the end of the unit. “Dispute it like a man.” “I shall do so; / but I must also feel it as a man…” “Let grief...
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...FRAME 5: THE DAGGER The blood-stained dagger may be an over-used symbol in Macbeth, but it is an universally acknowledged symbol for the play and would be the most effective in reminding the audience of the Macbeth’s first abuse of free will: the murder of King Duncan. A board game must be relatable and it would be no assumption to believe that all of Scotland remembers the murder of Duncan with a dagger. This step is further speeds Macbeth’s corruption by the prophecy and his own ambition. His illusions of the dagger can also be linked to fate since the hallucination indicates that he doesn’t want to commit the murder, but feels that he must. This self-fulfilling prophecy continues to make him believe that he is being guided by...
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...Acton once said, "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Macbeth by William Shakespeare is the tragic story about the kind of destruction ambition and the struggle for power can cause. Even the noblest of people are corrupted by the idea of power and will do anything to achieve it. Symbolism, irony, foil, theme, and imagery are some of the literary elements and techniques Shakespeare uses to portray Macbeth, the protagonist, as a greedy tyrant willing to sacrifice all others to accomplish his goals. Shakespeare not only represents Macbeth as the protagonist, but also as an antagonist to himself and others in the play. The author characterizes Macbeth at first as an honorable man willing to fight for the freedom of his kingdom. Shakespeare foreshadows to the reader a developing change within Macbeth’s character after his encounter with the Weird Sisters. His convene with the witches arouses in Macbeth the idea of becoming king. The motivation for Macbeth to become king spurs from the prophecies told by the witches in the beginning acts of the play, which were evidently coming true as he gained the title “Thane of Cawdor” as the prophecy stated. Below the surface Macbeth is a melting pot of emotions, which engaged his character in the idea of becoming a supreme ruler undoubtedly causing him to commit shameless acts. The character of Macbeth is usually described as being flawed by ambition, but this interpretation is not...
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... The stage is set for a banquet. MACBETH enters with LADY MACBETH, ROSS, LENNOX, LORDS, and their attendants. MACBETH You know your own ranks, so you know where to sit. Sit down. From the highest to the lowest of you, I bid you a hearty welcome. LORDS Thanks to your majesty. MACBETH I will walk around and mingle with all of you, playing the humble host. My wife will stay in her royal chair, but at the appropriate time I will have her welcome you all. LADY MACBETH Say welcome to all of our friends for me, sir, for in my heart they are all welcome. The FIRST MURDERER appears at the door. MACBETH And they respond to you with their hearts as well. The table is full on both sides. I will sit here in the middle. Be free and happy. Soon we will toast around the table. (approaching the door and speaking to the MURDERER) There’s blood on your face. FIRST MURDERER Then it must be Banquo’s. MACBETH I’d rather see his blood splattered on your face than flowing through his veins. Did you finish him off? FIRST MURDERER My lord, his throat is cut. I did that to him. MACBETH You are the best of the cutthroats. But whoever did the same to Fleance must also be good. If you cut both their throats, then you are the absolute best. FIRST MURDERER Most royal sir, Fleance has escaped. MACBETH Now I’m scared again. Otherwise I would have been perfect, as solid as a piece of marble, as firm as a rock, as free as the air itself. But now I’m all...
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...Shakespeare’s play Macbeth and Malouf’s novel Ransom both explore themes about freedom. The themes of freedom are largely characterised by their modes of textual representation – the play and the novel. Malouf’s novel is a heteroglossic text and is able to explore the themes relating to freedom through multiple focalisations and intertextuality with Homer’s Iliad. On the other hand, Shakespeare’s Macbeth explores the theme of freedom with asides, soliloquies and the supernatural. However, despite these differences in their representations of freedom there is a convergence for the reader in the implications for narrative meaning. Regardless of their contexts both texts elevate free will over predestination. Malouf’s novel Ransom reimagines...
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