Fate And Macbet
...ns get the best of him and even regrets what he has done right after he has done it. Even though he proved to be easily manipulated by his wife, there are times where he does not do what she tells him to do. I’ll go no more. I am afraid to think what I have done. Look on it again I dare not. - Macbeth speaking to Lady Macbeth (2.2.60-62) Argument #2: It’s Macbeth’s ambition (with the support of his wife’s) that determines his outcome. Since he heard the three witches’ prophesies, he has been consumed with the thought of becoming king. All he thinks about is being thane of Glamis and of Cawdor, while he’s king of Scotland. Example #1 - During the banquet that King Duncan is attending at Macbeth’s castle, Macbeth is outside thinking about whether or not he should kill Duncan. During this time he is considering the pros and cons of killing Duncan to become king. He talks about how Duncan is a good and honorable king, but then again Macbeth considers that there might not be an afterlife so he might as well get as much as he can while he’s still alive. If it were done when ‘tis done, the ‘twere well It were done quickly. If the assassination Could trammel up the consequence, and catch, With his surcease, success, that but this blow Might be the be-all and the end-all here, But here upon this bank and shoal of time, We’d jump the life to come. But in these cases We still have judgement here, that we but teach Bloody instructions, Which being taught return To plague the inventor. This even-handed justice Commends the ingredients of our poisoned chalice To our own lips. He’s here in double trust: First as I am his kinsman and his subject, Strong both against the deed. Then, as his host, Who should against his murderer shut the door, Not bear the knife myself. - Macbeth (1.7.1-16) Example #2 – People can control their fate by thoroughly considering the possible outcomes of their actions such as Macbeth was doing during the banquet at his castle. But that still is not enough to ensure someone that he or she will succeed in what he or she is trying to accomplish. The person plotting the scheme, in this case Macbeth, will still have doubts about the possible outcome. “If we should fail?” - Macbeth, to Lady Macbeth (1.7.65) Example #3 – After Macbeth hears that Malcolm has been named heir of the throne, he is enraged. During the time he is angry, he only thinks about how he will become king of Scotland. But if it were fate for Macbeth to become king, why does he feel he must do something for it to actually occur? If it is his fate, everything should just fall into place, but during this time of anger, it seems that he feels that the prophecies will not come true. If Macbeth were in control of his own ambition, then the outcome would be inevitable because he is not going to do horrific things to get what he wants, like his dark desires. The Prince of Cumberland! That is a step On which I must fall down, or else overleap, For in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires! Let not light see my black and deep desires. The eye wink at the hand, yet let that be Which the eye fears, when it is done, to see. - Macbeth (1.4.56-61) Argument #3: If Macbeth’s fate is sealed, why is there so much secrecy and planning for it to be true? He would not have to do anything for the prophecy to be fulfilled, just like when he was named Thane Of Cawdor. All he did was live in the moment and not think about the future. Example #1 – During the play Macbeth believes it is his fate to be king because of what the witches prophesize, yet he plans out everything for the prophecy to come true. There’s no reason he must act ...