Is Macbeth Responsible For His Own Destiny

There is a numerous amount of characters that strengthen the plot of the play in Macbeth. However, had the witches kept their knowledge secret, malicious actions could have been prevented. There is a drastic character change throughout the play from each person, originating from what the witches tell Macbeth. The witches are accountable for all that progresses throughout the play. Assuming that Macbeth did not know his fate, he would not have been pressured to ensure of his destiny from an outside influence. The witches’ prophecy of Macbeth’s fate leads to fatalities, selfish desires, and evil ambitions.

All things begin in Macbeth with the witches. The witches are responsible for persuading Macbeth into pursuing his destiny by using destructive actions. “If Macbeth did not have any influence from the witches than he probably would not be thinking about killing Duncan to become king. But with the witches help this was thrust to the front of his mind and he thinks that he should kill Duncan because the witches say that it is his destiny”

(Analysis of Witches in Macbeth). At the beginning of the play, Macbeth proclaims that whatever is meant to happen, will happen without him having to interfere. As the witches keep prophesying his future, he welcomes the thought that killing his way to the throne would not be a bad idea. Had the witches not have been involved in the play, Macbeth would be content with holding the title Thane of Glamis.
The witches’ philosophy of Macbeth’s fate leads to selfish desires and evil ambitions.

After the witches reveal to Macbeth his destiny, an extreme character change occurs within each person. Macbeth’s knowledge of his destiny, leads to many fatalities from whenever he feels threatened or if someone happened to get in the way of him and the throne. “While acting towards the fulfillment of the prophecy, Macbeth compromises his morality in order to become king of Scotland, unlike Banquo who remains steady in his judgement” (The Contrast of Macbeth and Banquo). With Macbeth knowing what he knows, he will stop at nothing or anyone to ensure of his place at being king. They motivate him to murder his way to the throne, all while they really know how it will eventually end. The witches advance the plot because, having said, had Macbeth been unaware of his fate, there would not have been any bloodshed or inclination of selfish

wants.
Macbeth’s life soon becomes overpowered with obsession of Hecate and the witches’ mind games, resulting in repetitive consultations with the witches. Hecate later reassures the witches that Macbeth has an adverse fate. He becomes reliant on the witches and their knowledge. As Macbeth says, “Stay, you imperfect speakers, tell me more…” (Macbeth 1.3.70). Macbeth is intrigued by their words and acts on emotions in the play. The witches telling him about his destiny leads to a whirlwind of drama and horror. Their insight on Macbeth’s future, controls all of his thoughts and actions. Soon enough, Macbeth’s apprehension of the future, rules his life and all that he does. He becomes compelled by his immoral ambitions the very moment the witches reach out to him.
For these reasons are how the witches advance the plot of Macbeth. They are a main contributor to the play. Without the witches and their philosophies, the story would have had no main point. All that happens in the play, leads back to the witches and their predictions. They are the outside influence on persuading Macbeth to fulfill his destiny. As Macbeth tries to secure of the inevitable, it all goes in dark turmoil. They knew all along what was actually going to happen, they just had to plant the idea in Macbeth’s head. The witches commence it all. “Men are not prisoners of fate, but only prisoners of their own minds.” –Franklin D. Roosevelt