How Does Fate Play A Role In Macbeth

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Fate can be defined many different ways. Webster's Dictionary defines fate as a power that supposedly predetermines events. Fate is synonymous to the word destiny, which suggests that events are unavoidable and unchangeable. Whatever happens in life is meant to be and cannot be changed by mankind. In Shakespeare's Macbeth, fate plays an important role in the lives of Macbeth, Lady Macbeth and Banquo. "All hail, Macbeth Hail to thee, thane of Glamis! All hail, Macbeth Hail to thee, thane of Cawdor! All hail, Macbeth Hail to thee, thou shall be King hereafter!" (1.3.49) The witches help fate out by giving Macbeth this information. If Macbeth had never known this, he would never have had the idea of becoming thane of Cawdor or king. This is the …show more content…

The witches tell Macbeth that he will become thane of Cawdor as well as king of Scotland. When he tells this information to his wife, she begins to plot the murder of Duncan, something that would never have happened without the witches' words. Lady Macbeth herself also plays a role in the fate of Macbeth. She is ultimately the reason that the murder of Duncan is carried out and Macbeth is successfully not blamed for the murder. Macbeth has conflicting feelings about the murder of his friend and king, Duncan, but Lady Macbeth criticizes him, saying that he is not a man unless he goes through with murdering Duncan. Whenever Macbeth starts to show weakness, she is the fateful force that drives him to do the things that are planned out by …show more content…

The witches also had a prophecy for Banquo in the beginning of the play. "Though shalt get kings, though thou be none" (1.3.67). Banquo's sons are destined to be kings, although Banquo will never be king. Later in the play Banquo is murderd by assassins hired by Macbeth. Macbeth hires these murderes because he feels threatened by Banquo and his son, Fleance. Macbeth orders the assassins to murder both of the men so that the treat to him will be gone. However, fate steps in and saves Fleance's life so that the witches' prophecies will be true. If fate had not had a role in this, either Banquo would have lived and caused Macbeth's evil plans to be uncoiled and caused his demise, or Fleance would have died like Macbeth wanted him to and the witches telling of fate would be

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