Macbeth and Fate Vs. Freewill

Macbeth and Fate Vs. Freewill

1. Banquo

   • The character Banquo is given the prophecy about how his children and their children will inherit the crown. In this first encounter, Banquo does not know how to react, questioning whether or not it is real. He does not believe the prophecy until Ross comes to confirm Macbeth's new position of Thane of Cawdor. It is only till then that he believes the prophecy.
     • Despite knowing the prophecy, Banquo attempts to leave Scottland with Fleance as he is suspicious of Macbeth after Duncan's death and the outcome of the prophecy for him and Fleance.
       • "As the weird women promised; and I fear Thou play'dst most foully for't..." (III, i, 2-3) Banquo is talking to himself about his suspicions of Duncan's death, and Macbeth's part in his death.
       • Macbeth and Banquo contrast in many ways. Banquo stays true to himself through the time he is in the play, saying to Macbeth that he only wishes to talk of honorable and loyal things after hearing the prophecy. Macbeth uses his free will for his own personal gain, while Banquo allows fate to intervene while also using free will, but only out of fear.
         • Although Banquo does not commit any crimes to further his personal agenda of the prophecy, he begins to fear for the future and attempts to flee Scottland. He uses his free will and disregards fate in order to protect his son in the only way; by fleeing. This results in Banquo's death and Fleance running away to an unknown place.
   • "Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none; So all hail, Macbeth and Banquo!" (I, iii, 70-71)

2. Macbeth

   • The witches prophecies Macbeth's past present and future. In the past, he is to be Thane of Glamis, which had happened before, and in the present, he is to be Thane of Cawdor. Later he is supposed to be King, and let fate take its course.
     • Macbeth, with Lady Macbeth's encouragement, makes the decision (free will), to against King Duncan and kill him. Macbeth did not only have Duncan's blood on his hands but of the people, he blames it on after. Macbeth was fated to be King and was, but he was not fated to commit these crimes, he chose to do them himself and is forced to deal with the consequences.
       • Despite the prophecy of how only Banquo will produce heirs, there could have many reasons to why Macbeth's kids would not take the throne, rather than it being Banquo's fault. Instead of trying to find out why, Macbeth makes irrational and unhonorable decisions that change the course of fate.
         • Macbeth orders to have Banquo and Fleance killed as he is threatened by what the future holds, and is driven by his guilt and madness over killing Duncan earlier. Macbeth has made all these horrible decisions that have altered his future in many ways, like the new prophecies he receives of fearing death of someone born from C-section, fear Macduff, and of when wood walks up a hill.
           • Macbeth's pursing of the goal of king has compromised his morality, loyalty, and honor. Macbeth may have fated to be king, but he decides all on his own to murder Duncan in order to obtain the crown. His actions suggest that fate may be predetermined, but free will determines how a people reach their destinies.
           • Macbeth's actions and free will committed these crimes and made him decide that people need to die in order for personal gain
       • “I am settled, and bend up Each corporal agent to this terrible feat. Away, and mock the time with fairest show: False face must hide what the false heart doth know.” (I, vii, 89-92) Macbeth makes the decision to kill Duncan in order to please his wife and fulfill the prophecy he feels the only way possible.
       • “I have done the deed. Didst thou not hear a noise?” (II, ii, 19-20) Macbeth tells this to Lady Macbeth after murdering Duncan in cold blood in the middle of the night.
         • “I go, and it is done; the bell invites me. Hear it not, Duncan, for it is a knell That summons thee to heaven, or to hell.” (II, i, 69-71)
     • "hail to thee, thane of Glamis!" “hail to thee, thane of Cawdor!” “All hail, Macbeth! that shalt be king hereafter.” (I, iii, 50-53)

3. Theme Statement: Fate may be predetermined for good outcomes, but it is a person irrational actions and bad decisions, and their free will, that can alter the person's fate, resulting in bad steps to getting to the future, not changing the it.