MICHAEL CACHU PERIOD 2 MACBETH ESSAY DEAR GOD WHY?

In Shakespeare’s Macbeth, the idea of fate is constantly present. Although fate is fairly present, many of the characters’ decisions come out of free will. Their perception of fate causes them to make decisions and drives the play’s action.
In the play, the three witches present the fate of many. The three witches are also referenced throughout the play as weird sisters, coming from the old English word for fate, “wyrd”. While returning from a battle, Macbeth and Banquo come across the three witches who present the men with their futures. The idea of Macbeth becoming king is planted in the mind of Macbeth from that point on. His future decisions are a result of knowing what is to come. When Lady Macbeth is told of what the future could hold for Macbeth, she devises a plan to ensure that her husband will take the crown. Macbeth is shown to be easily manipulated by his wife and the witches. Eventually, Macbeth takes the throne but eventually realizes that the part of the prophecy that brought him to power and the remaining part of the prophecy outlines him losing the crown to Banquo’s sons. Because Macbeth thought that he was infallible, he forgets that fate brought him to power, and that fate has the power to take away his power. In an effort to avoid his fate, Macbeth sets forth a plan to murder both Banquo and his son. His actions show that although he would like to believe part of the prophecy, he would not like to face the other half that results in his downfall.
Although Macbeth desired the crown, Lady Macbeth equally desired the crown. Women at the time were limited, so she devises a plan that allows both her husband and herself to take power. She persuades Macbeth to commit murder even after he shows skepticism and doubt on multiple accounts. Lady Macbeth uses the prophecy given by the witches and the idea of fate as an instrument in the manipulation of Macbeth. Again, in this situation, fate has brought power, but has the ability to take it away. In Lady Macbeth’s case, the prophecy helped her gain the position of Queen, but it also brought endless guilt. Her suicide was a result of the actions taken by Macbeth due to their perceptions of fate.
By allowing the characters to see their fates, they eventually drove themselves to their own downfall.