"Macbeth" - Was Macbeth a victim of fate or of his own ambitious choices?

Essay by TomotreHigh School, 11th gradeA-, February 2007

download word file, 5 pages 0.0

Downloaded 18 times

Throughout the ages it is believed fate, by some uncontrollable force, has the power to forge one's destiny. The outcome of a person's choices is controlled by the way in which they are fated to occur. However, some believe these choices can defy fate and that fate only manipulates one's mind into choosing their own path. The question still remains as to whether individuals are victims of fate or of their own choices, or if each aspect plays a significant part in determining their destiny. In the play Macbeth, writer William Shakespeare toys with this idea of fate, placing Macbeth's destiny before him, yet allowing his own ambitions and idealistic views to drive himself irrefutably mad in order to achieve it. Macbeth is ultimately used by Shakespeare to fight the battle of his own manifestation and lay claim to what is foretold as his, but fate it seems, is not always as clear as Macbeth first thought.

Fate, the power thought to control all events, even a person's destiny. If the concept of fate is true, the outcome of a person's life is inevitable. From the moment of birth, your life has already been planned before you, and you are helpless to change it. Was Macbeth a victim to fate? Did the choices he makes have any impact on the outcome of his destiny? In accordance to the play, Macbeth's fate became a reality and ultimately his downfall.

"All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of /Glamis!" (1.3.48)

"All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of /Cawdor!" (1.3.49)

"All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be King /hereafter!" (1.3.50)

Macbeth's past, present and future as foretold by the Three Witches. Macbeth was destined to become Cawdor, and then by some means king. However, the process Macbeth undertakes to become king may not...