Macbeth is a play by William Shakespeare. The main character, Macbeth, faces many challenges that lead him to his eventual downfall. While it could be argued that Macbeth’s fate was predetermined and he had no choice in the matter, it is also possible to view Macbeth as a tragic hero who made choices that led to his undoing. In either case, Macbeth is an intriguing character whose story continues to resonate with audiences centuries after it was first written.
Macbeth’s fate is sealed by his actions in William Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Banquo warns Macbeth about the witches, or Weird Sisters, in order to set him on the path toward ruin. Once Macbeth begins to trust the witches, his faith encourages him to take certain actions.
Macbeth’s decision to trust the witches gives them control over him, which further demonstrates how Macbeth’s fate is determined by his acceptance of their existence. Throughout the play, Macbeth has chances to stop believing in the witches and choose actions that might avoid a calamitous end.
It is Macbeth’s free choice to believe the witches or not, and it is this choice and his resulting actions that leads to his fate. Macbeth’s tragedy is a story of the choices made by Macbeth, not the result of predetermined events outside of his control. Macbeth’s belief in the witches starts with their first meeting, when they tell him he will be Thane of Cawdor and eventually king.
At this point Macbeth has no reason to doubt their words, as he is already Thane of Cawdor. Banquo is immediately suspicious of the witches and warns Macbeth to beware of them, but Macbeth does not heed this warning. Instead, he chooses to believe the witches and their prophecies. This choice sets Macbeth on a path that ultimately leads to his downfall.
Macbeth’s choices continue to be driven by his belief in the witches. After becoming king, Macbeth becomes worried about losing his position. The witches tell him that he will not be harmed by any man born of woman, which Macbeth takes as a prediction that he will never be overthrown. Macbeth’s choice to believe this prophecy leads him to kill Macduff’s family, even though they pose no threat to him. This choice ultimately leads to Macbeth’s downfall, as Macduff takes revenge on Macbeth and kills him.
If Macbeth had not chosen to believe the witches, his destiny would have been different. He would not have become paranoid and killed Macduff’s family. Macbeth would have continued to rule without incident and his story would have had a different ending. Macbeth’s tragedy is the result of his choices, not fate.
Macbeth is a story of choices and their consequences. Macbeth chooses to believe the witches, which sets him on a path of destruction. He has many opportunities to turn back, but his choices continue to be driven by his belief in the witches. In the end, his choices catch up with him and he is killed by Macduff. Macbeth’s tragedy is not the result of fate, but of the choices he makes throughout the play.
Banquo is perplexed by how the “instruments of darkness,” (1.3.136) the witches, can deceive Macbeth and lead him to do harm. They accomplish this by informing Macbeth that he will be made Thane of Cawdor as a tiny trifle – which is really just a consequence of his royal loyalties.
When the first witch prophecy comes true, Macbeth is certain that all of the other prophecies will follow and thus takes action. Macbeth’s trust in witches’ prophetic powers leads him to take steps with “most terrible consequences” (1.3.138). Banquo’s concept looks at how Macbeth’s one decision to trust the Weird Sisters determined the rest of his life.
Macbeth’s choices and actions are not purely his own. Even before the witches’ prophecies, Macbeth is not content with his position in society. When Duncan announces that his son Malcolm will be the next king, Macbeth immediately thinks about killing Duncan to become king himself. In addition, Lady Macbeth urges her husband to kill Duncan so that she may become queen. She pressures Macbeth by questioning his manhood and by preying on his ambition. These outside forces influence Macbeth’s choices and shape the course of his fate.
The witches also play an important role in Macbeth’s eventual downfall. They give him a false sense of security by telling him that he is “invulnerable” (4.1.65). Macbeth believes that he is invincible because the witches have prophesied that no man of woman born can hurt him. This blind faith leads Macbeth to his downfall because it makes him overconfident and careless. He does not take the necessary precautions to protect himself, which eventually leads to his demise.
The witches’ prophecies also cause Macbeth to act irrationally and impulsively. For example, when Macbeth learns from the witches that Banquo’s sons will one day be kings, he immediately plots to kill Banquo in order to prevent this from happening. Macbeth’s impulsive actions are a direct result of his blind belief in the witches’ prophecies.
Ultimately, Macbeth is responsible for his own fate because he chooses to believe in the witches’ prophecies and act on them. However, it is important to note that Macbeth is not entirely to blame for his downfall. The choices that he makes are heavily influenced by the people around him and by the witches’ prophecies.
If Macbeth had not met the witches, or if Lady Macbeth had not pressured him to kill Duncan, his fate might have been different. Therefore, it is difficult to say whether Macbeth’s fate was due to his own choices or to outside forces beyond his control.
Macbeth ignores Banquo’s warning and, as a result, begins to trust the witches. Macbeth’s fate is sealed when he becomes convinced that he is fated to obtain greater power. Macbet’s hand acts, although these actions are all prompted by the clever witches because they understand how he would act once he believes them. When Macbeth has faith in the witches, his true destiny is triggered.
Macbeth’s fatal flaw is his ambition, which is why the witches’ prophecies are so successful in tempting him. Macbeth’s choices and actions, although influenced by fate, are ultimately his own.
Macbeth is a play about choices and consequences. The witches present Macbeth with two choices, to kill Duncan or not to kill Duncan. Macbeth chooses to kill Duncan and this choice sets into motion a series of events that lead to Macbeth’s downfall. Macbeth makes many other choices throughout the play that contribute to his downfall, but it all starts with the choice to murder Duncan. If Macbeth had not made that choice, his life would have turned out very differently. Macbeth’s choices are his own, and he is responsible for the consequences of those choices.
While Macbeth’s choices are ultimately his own, it is important to note that he is influenced by fate and the supernatural. The witches tell Macbeth that he is “fated” to become king, and this prophecy comes true. Macbeth also believes that he is “predestined” to die at the hands of Macduff, and this too comes true.
In both cases, Macbeth’s belief in fate leads him to make choices that contribute to his downfall. If Macbeth had not believed in the witches’ prophecies, he would not have killed Duncan or tried to kill Macduff. Macbeth’s belief in fate is not an excuse for his actions, but it is important to consider when understanding his choices.
Macbeth is a tragedy about a man who chooses his own destiny. Macbeth makes choices throughout the play that lead to his downfall, but he is ultimately responsible for those choices. Macbeth’s belief in fate and the supernatural does influence his choices, but he could have chosen to ignore the witches’ prophecies and live a different life. Macbeth is a tragic hero because he brings about his own downfall through his choices, and not because of any external forces.
Macbeth’s choices also show his vaulting ambition, which is a result of the witches’ prophecies. He makes the choice to kill Duncan in order to become king, even though he knows it is wrong. Macbeth says “I have no spur/ To prick the sides of my intent, but only/ Vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps itself/ And falls on th’ other”. Macbeth’s choices are not only influenced by the witches, but also by Lady Macbeth. She is the one who first suggests killing Duncan, and she pushes Macbeth to do it.
Lady Macbeth says “look like th’ innocent flower,/ But be the serpent under’t. He that’s coming/ Must be provided for: and you shall put/ This night’s great business into my dispatch”. Macbeth is not only influenced by the witches and Lady Macbeth, but also by his own ambition. He makes the choice to kill Duncan, even though he knows it is wrong. Macbeth says “I have no spur/ To prick the sides of my intent, but only/ Vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps itself/ And falls on th’ other”. Macbeth’s choices are not only influenced by the witches, but also show his vaulting ambition.