Examining The Fate Of Macbeth Plays

The idea of fate is recalled numerous times within Shakespeare’s play “Macbeth”. Fate was first introduced whenever Macbeth and Banquo came upon the three witches. The Witches predicted Macbeth’s future, “All hail, Macbeth! That shalt be king hereafter.”(1, iii, 50). Here Macbeth is told he would be Thane of Cawdor, he would become king, and that Banquo’s children would succeed him on the throne. However these were only mere prophecies. It is at this moment fate becomes a major part of the story itself, creating quarrels, evil and affecting everyone related to it.

In his vast interest Macbeth wants to learn more, “Stay you imperfect speakers, tell me more,” (1, iii, 70). Macbeth is becoming eager for knowledge but soon feels diminished by Banquo’s own prophecy. He realizes that his efforts to kill Duncan will have been in vain if Banquo’s children will succeed him on the throne. This is an example of influence/impact fate has on the Macbeth. He is ready to forget about his friendship with a Banquo and trust in a prophecy made by unknown witches. Nevertheless Banquo, also having heard the witches’ prophecies, thinks of plans to gain power but never does he truly engage them.

Later on, Macbeth is named Thane of Cawdor just as the witches predicted. In result he believes more about his fate to become a king. It is then when Macbeth elaborates ways of make sure his ‘fate’ becomes reality. One of the obstacles that Macbeth struggled on was the Banquo’s prophecy.

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In act one Macbeth says “I am thane of Cawdor. / If good, why do I yield to that suggestion/ whose horrid image doth unfix my hair/ and make my seated heart knock at my ribs,/ against the us of nature?”. Here Macbeth’s ambition to murder King Duncan and continue in his fate grew.

Macbeth becomes blinded his ‘fate’. His ambitions to kill King Duncan thrived. Duncan was seen as a noble and respectable king through the kingdom. He would praise Macbeth for his loyalty. Macbeth was struggling to choose between true friendship and fate. Fate was the reason for his evil scheme to kill Duncan. His emotion towards Duncan took the lead but Lady Macbeth was there to crush them. She had first learned of the fate from a letter sent by Macbeth telling her about the witches’ prophecies. Knowing Macbeth she knew he would never take such an opportunity to take over the throne. If Macbeth had never passed by the witches and acknowledge his fate, he would have never developed a sinful nature. In the end, his greed to accomplish his fate leads him towards the murder of King Duncan.

After the death of the Duncan, Malcolm and Donalbain , his sons being next in line for the throne, escaped in fear that their fate may also be the same as their fathers. Donalbain asks his brother, “What should be spoken here, where our fate, / Hid in an auger-hole, may rush, and seize us?” (2, iii, 122).

Macbeth’s greed for power did not stop him from betraying his friend and sending assassins to kill Banquo and his children to make sure fate does not happen and give the throne to Banquo’s children and gain complete security. In spite of this, in the attempt to kill Banquo his child escaped but Banquo was dead.

Over the years evil grew more and more in Macbeth’s heart. However, his fate was not over. In his guilt upon the death of Banquo, he sees Banquo’s ghost at one of his banquet. Afraid he almost reveals his guilt to his guest. Frightened by the appearance of Banquo’s ghost he visits the witches again to learn about his ‘fate’. The witches give him a new prophecy. The first apparition tells Macbeth to beware Macudff, but the second apparition tells Macbeth, “Be bloody, bold, and resolute; laugh to scorn / The power of man, for none of woman born / Shall harm Macbeth” (4, i, 81). When the apparition tells him this Macbeth says will all the evil in his heart that he will not kill Macduff. However he will “make assurance double sure, / And take a bond of fate” (4, i, 83-84). He will kill Macduff just to be sure fate wont happen. From this apparitions Macbeth is extremely boastful and believes none can kill him. He takes pride in fate.

Nevertheless, the English army led by Malcolm is coming to Scotland to remove Macbeth from the throne. During the last 5-8 years Macbeth was on the throne he has been a horrible king. He did not come to the attention of the people and Scotland was in a huge crises.