Macbeth Essay Alexandra Prime

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The Fate of Macbeth

In Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, man’s perception of fate affects each action that every person does. Shakespeare uses characterization to clarify this perception as well as move the play forward in action. The contrasts between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth show the idea of man’s perception of fate, and how it moves the story forward.

Macbeth, the main focus of the witches’ manipulations, believed in the fate that he was told that he would have by these witches. His perception of this idea of fate was that it was to happen and that if he were to let his life come to pass it would occur on its own. Such as the title Thane of Cawdor was presented to him with no manipulation of his own. Conversely, when Lady Macbeth hears of the foretold fate that is to come upon her husband, she immediately feels the need to interfere, driving the fate herself and making what is foretold to happen occur sooner rather than later for the Macbeths. This contrast between the patient and faithful ideals of Macbeth and the hurried and manipulative tactics of Lady Macbeth shows how different perceptions of fate cause different fates to occur.

This difference in the perception of fate between Macbeth and his wife, continuously drives the story forward. If Macbeth were to follow is better instincts without the consistent pressure of his wife, there would be no story to tell, as King Duncan would have never been murdered. Macbeth believed in letting his fate fall as it may, by letting the future in which he is crowned King of Scotland come to him and naturally it would. Opposite of that view was that of Lady Macbeth’s, who leaped at the opportunity to seize what she believed would be rightfully theirs in the future. This difference in opinion drives the story forward even as their perceptions of fate shift.

The perception each person has of fate affects his or her own actions. Without each’s own perception of fate and how they are to come by it no action would get done. Whether it is Macbeth who believes what is fated to be his will come to him in time, or the ideas of Lady Macbeth who hopes to take any opportunity possible to reach what she believes is her fate, each man’s perception of fate leads their actions throughout their life.