Macbeth Essay

Shakespeare demonstrates his perception of fate in Macbeth with his use of characterization. The witches in Macbeth tell of a prophecy of how Macbeth will become king and Banquo’s children take the thrown after him. Then the witches add, later, that Macbeth should beware Macduff, Macbeth cannot die from a man born from a woman and that Macbeth will be unharmed until the forest of Birnam moves toward his castle. Shakespeare’s ideology on fate is expressed through the actions and reactions of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.

Lady Macbeth is first introduced when she receives a letter from Macbeth explaining the witch’s prophecy. She is immediately intoxicated by the idea of becoming royalty and her reaction is to plot against the king. Then she wishes her mind to be taken over by evil in order to commit this action. Lady Macbeth believes that becoming royalty is only obtainable through evil acts and manipulation.

Macbeth identifies fate in a different fashion, but his morals become tainted. Fate is unavoidable to him as he first refuses to be part of the treachery, but he becomes easily manipulated. His wife challenging his manhood and forces him to murder to the king. Once he involves himself in his wife’s method on fulfilling the prophecy, his morals begin to shift. He tries to change fate by killing off Banquo and his son Fleance, but only further provokes a growing resistance against him. Also, during the battle on Macbeth’s castle, the Birnam forest begins to move toward the castle led by Macduff. He continues to fight because he is confident that everyone was born by a woman and is convinced that Macduff has no influence on him.

I believe that Shakespeare characters believe in fate when the prophecies about them are influential for them. When they are not attractive to them, they will either be disregarded or tried to be changed. Macbeth kills Banquo and tries to kill his son in order to prevent the prophecy from coming true. In addition, he fights Macduff even though he was warned that Macduff would be trouble. I want to conclude by saying that if the characters did believe in prophecies, then why would they feel they must do corrupt deeds in order to accomplish them?