How Is Fate Shown In Macbeth

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Fate Shown in MacBeth and 101 Minutes MacBeth is either a monster, or an innocent man taken over by the gripping jaws of greed, depending on the person. The tragic and often evil events occurring in the book “MacBeth” by William Shakespeare are laid out in a series of events that portray a running theme of fate. Foreshadowing and imagery are used in quotes throughout the novel and play to show fate, making the reader notice small details in their plots that could foreshadow massive events in the future of their plots. The theme of fate is often shown by the witches and the apparitions, both being fortune telling spirits in the novel. The witches and apparitions’ fortune telling affect the play for the reader by foreshadowing the fate of a character or an important event that is upcoming, as well as influencing MacBeth in many of his actions throughout the play. …show more content…

The third apparition appears, and says “Macbeth shall never vanquished be until great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill shall come against him.” (4.1, 96-98). This quote, paired with the quote about how no one of woman born shall harm MacBeth, ultimately leads to MacBeth’s fate. Later on, after MacBeth has stated several times how he won’t be afraid of death until Birnam Wood picks up itself and marches on Dunsinane (where MacBeth is currently holding out), his messenger approaches MacBeth, saying “As I did stand my watch upon the hill, I looked toward Birnam, and anon methought the wood began to move” (5.5, 33-35). Shortly after this quote, the “moving” Birnham Wood reveals itself as a raiding party including MacDuff as they infiltrate Dunsinane, and kill King MacBeth. The apparitions are once again right about MacBeth’s fate, as he wasn’t killed until Birnam Wood had moved, as well as a man not born of woman being the ultimate

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