In Macbeth, Shakespeare conveys Macbeth’s perception of fate through his actions and what he says. Macbeth, although renowned as a valiant warrior in figure, falls before the fate that cannot be controlled by his might. Everything started from Macbeth’s belief in prophesies of the witches.
Afraid that Banquo’s children will succeed his throne as a king, Macbeth dismisses Weird Sisters’ prophesy and tries to find a way to kill Banquo and his son so that Banquo’s seeds cannot prosper. The driving force behind Macbeth’s deeds is Lady Macbeth who encourages Macbeth to eliminate Duncan and anyone who will hinder their generations from possessing the royal fame. As a human, Macbeth himself is guilty and thus yields to his human nature, ending up killing king Duncan. Macbeth tends to be easily convinced by the witches’ prophesies and Lady Macbeth. After having heard the prophesy that he will become the king and that no man born of a woman shall kill him, Macbeth, Lady Macbeth as the arbitrary to the destruction, decides to murder king Duncan, Banquo and his son, Macduff, and Malcolm.
Macbeth is troubled in mind even after becoming the king. On one side of his mind, he perceives the “even-handed justice” that will be applied in his life. However, his malicious heart overwhelms him; he constantly thinks about the forces that might try to overthrow him and determines to murder them by sending out his men. When he was informed that the English army is approaching his castle, Macbeth acts like he’s not feared and forces himself to believe the report is false. He says, “You pale-faced fool! What soldiers, fool? Damn you!” revealing his condition of uneasiness.
Macbeth’s characterization-- his typical actions and dialogues-- show how he is being manipulated by the fate which he finds out through the words witches foretell. His actions driven by his foreknowledge of the fate, hastens him to bring about his own destruction early.
Dibs on this one :)
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