MacKenzie Forman

Period 1

Fate

Fate has seemingly infected every era of man. The idea that everything you do has a purpose and it magnetically lines up with those around you has found its way into almost every chapter of man’s existence. Fate is a common theme for Shakespere, and in Macbeth it drives the entire story. Shakespeare uses the characterization of Lady Macbeth and Macbeth to propel the action of the play as well as show the importance fate had in the story.

The play Macbeth follows the story of one man who is promised to be king, by three witches. This promise infects him and upon sharing the news with his wife they decide to act towards him becoming king, by murdering the current king. Once the goal is attained, their characters greatly shift, and no longer do they demonstrate the original characteristics that drove the beginning of the plot but they have evolved with the plot. This character arc only further influences the importance of fate, and the way it so effortlessly effects Macbeth and his wife.

Lady Macbeth’s character is arguably the strongest defined in the play. When her husband tells her he is to be king, it is her character traits that show the reader the importance of fate in the play. Lady Macbeth at the start of the play, is not a weak woman, she is power hungry and she wants everything to unfold exactly as the witches have predicted. So she drives the plot, by forcing Macbeth to act against the king, and when it is all over her character shifts into a crazed guilt filled woman. She no longer exudes the strength that drove the beginning of the plot, but now she it is her internal conflict that is notable.

Macbeth himself also demonstrates specific character traits that drive the theme of fate. At first he does not feel he needs to act on anything, for fate at its finest does not need encouragement. However Lady Macbeth’s confidence and persistence drive his will and he ends up committing the ultimate deed. Afterward his character now reflects that of a tortured soul, he experiences fits and is no longer the brave solider that at the beginning was so adored. It is this character arc that drives the plot, and shows the way the promise of fate has the ability to effect people.

The importance fate plays in these character’s lives is not unrealistic, but it is an interesting insight to the human mind. The tricks that the brain can play on a soul are disgusting and the way the brain can force you to think and feel a certain way. Shakespeare uncovers many truths about human nature, especially when dealing with hope and guilt.