Representation Of Fate In Macbeth

Fate is the development of events beyond a person's control, regarded as determined by a supernatural power. The entire Shakespeare play and Macbeth’s actions were practically guided by fate. Macbeth could have changed his actions but he was led by the witches and his own interpretation of fate. The play starts off with the three witches chanting and making plans to meet up, when they say their famous line in act I scene I “fair is foul and foul is fair.” This line basically means that what appears to be beautiful is actually ugly, and emphasizes the plays main theme deception. This very line show’s the meaning and root around Macbeth as a character and his actions. In act I scene II, the witches declare Macbeth and Banquo’s fate “All hail, Macbeth!

Hail to you, thane of Glamis, All hail, Macbeth!

Hail to you, thane of Cawdor! All hail, Macbeth, the future king!” the witches tell Macbeth that he will soon be king, and thane of Glamis as well as thane of Cawdor. The witches then go on to declare Banquo’s faith “Your descendants will be kings, even though you will not be one.” which mean’s Banquo’s children will inherit the throne but he will not. After receiving this information Macbeth was at first in disbelief, then Ross and Angus approaches Macbeth as Ross tells him in act I scene III that the king has made him thane of Cawdor. Ross explains how the king admired Macbeth’s bravery during his fight against the rebels. He then goes on to say “to give you a taste of what’s in store, he told me to call you thane of Cawdor. So hail, thane of Cawdor! The title belongs to you know.” Macbeth is at the beginning of witnessing his predestined fate slowly unfold. Macbeth’s decisions and actions later in the story were all tailored by his fixation of the witches prophecy, which made him develop a less noble and courageous persona for a more hungry and greedy one. Which led Macbeth’s decision to murder king Duncan to gain his

crown. Macbeth starts to contemplating the witches prophecy on Banquo, Macbeth believes if he becomes king he will be a fruitless one. Which means he will be a king without an heir. This worries Macbeth and leads him to hire to men to murder his former friend banquo and his child. In act III scene I we witness the fate of Banquo unfold, the murderer's attack Banquo as he call’s out to his son Fleance “Oh, this is treachery! Get out of here, good Fleance, run, run, run! Someday you can get revenge.—Oh, you bastard!” Fleance escapes as the murderer's kill Banquo and flee the scene. Macbeth has shown that as a character he is not only foul in play; but he has no remorse for anyone that gets in his way, Including his friends. In conclusion all of Macbeth's decisions were not predetermined. He could have token a lighter path filled with moral and good judgment. Unfortunately greed and hunger overtook him, but his actions were guided by fate.