ash.p3.t5

Brandon

In history we are continually reminded of the inevitability of fate through literature; from the ancient Greek Oedipus, to modern novels like A Prayer for Owen Meany. In Macbeth, the main, dynamic character first perceives fate with doubt and uncertain, but then changes and instead of doubting fate, he begins to doubt himself.

Macbeth is strongly shown through his reaction to key events during the play. The first important one was the discussion with the witches. After hearing the prophesies about his and Banquo’s, Macbeths military partner, fate, they both are skeptic about his ludicrous. This is the moment shows what he is much like Beowulf where he too is loyal, brave, and intelligent. After his crazy wife kills Duncan, the prior king, Macbeth beings to believe in the witches and that there is a slight chance that they were right. This doubtful behavior towards what used to be ludicrous turns into suspicion. When his close friends depart from their relationship, Macbeth starts to see them as a threat to his seat. He thinks that these new “enemies” are plotting to over take the throne. This departure is the first step in his inevitable approach towards paranoia. He is beginning to think that everyone has the same mentality as he does; the need to power. Therefore, he thinks that he should take out his most threatening target, Banquo. Now this drives the action forward by starting another niche of problems; his lost of self control, Banquo’s bloodline is prophesized to kill him, and now Macduff, a close friend, has left. This increasing his paranoia because everyone he knew, has now “betrayed” him. His reactions to all of these rising actions is the main focus that Shakespeare stressed in clarifying his perception of fate.