Essay On Free Will In Macbeth
When people confront a tragic event they’ve committed, they often brush off the blame onto others. In the tragedy Macbeth, William Shakespeare explores the effect of the supernatural influencing free will. When the witches’ introduce the prophecy of becoming king to Macbeth, he infers the prospect of murdering King Duncan is the only method of fulfilling the premonition. However, Macbeth is unable to accept the atrocity of the crime he’s committed and blames fate for his actions. Macbeth’s free will is emphasized and influenced through the witches’ prophecy, the supernatural becomes an excuse for his actions making him unprepared when he finally confronts his guilt. Upon being told the prophecy by the witches, Macbeth is in shock and wonder
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as he ponders what their message conveyed. The alliteration reveals his thoughts about the credibility of the premonition, when he claims “two truths are told” (1.3.140). The repetition of the “t” sound emphasizes his wonder and exhibits his belief in the reliability of the witches. As the witches are supernatural beings, their prophecy must be omniscient and be truthful. This also sparks an internal conflict between whether or not Macbeth should trust the witches. This is exhibited in Macbeth’s paradox describing the supernatural as “cannot be ill, cannot be good” (1.3.144). Witches connote to be evil creatures; however if what they prophesize is true, then Macbeth will be powerful and better off. Struggling to decide, Macbeth attempts to determine the meaning the witches meant to convey. Abruptly his interpretation of the message reveals his sinister personality when he says “my thoughts, whose murder is yet but fantastical” (1.3.152). While the witches made no reference of regicide, Macbeth contemplation of murder suggests his belief that this is the only path to the crown. Underneath a violent mindset, Macbeth excuses his thoughts believing they’re under the influence of the supernatural. The sibilance said in his reflection upon the witches’ prophecy, suggests the witches were a “supernatural soliciting” (1.3.143). Describing the witches as soliciting conveys the idea that the supernatural came to him, and while it isn’t what he wanted it still influences his thoughts. Trying to convince himself, Macbeth blames the supernatural for his actions. This creates an excuse in which he uses to sweep his internal conflict into the back of his mind. After the murder of King Duncan, Macbeth turns to the next in line, Banquo. As Banquo was “hailed father to a line of kings” by the witches, Macbeth deems Banquo is also a threat to his seat to the throne (3.1.65). If Banquo isn’t immediately removed, under Banquo’s rule “[Macbeth’s] genius is rebuked” (3.1.61). The term “genius” symbolizes Macbeth’s attending spirit, which Macbeth believes is fate. Without fate, Macbeth would be powerless and stumble blindly along his path. Turning to the thought of murder again, Macbeth arranges for Banquo to be killed. Also once again, Macbeth believes his malevolent thought are the only way to fulfill the prophecy of him becoming king. Macbeth is also still under the illusion of the supernatural influencing all his actions. However the witches once again didn’t tell Macbeth regicide was the solution. Macbeth’s interpretation has led him to incomprehensible actions, which he still doesn’t accept responsibility for. If Macbeth didn’t remove Banquo, his supernatural support of fate would be rebuked. Therefore, in Macbeth’s eyes Banquo must be killed in order to protect fate. At this point in the play, Macbeth is seen as corrupt, by the other characters.
Macduff and Malcom have fled to England to seek help King Edward, to rid the tyrant Macbeth. Ignorant of the severity of his actions, Macbeth is unable to realize his faults. As a result of Macbeth’s own interpretations, he becomes so obsessed with taking the crown and fulfilling the prophecy that Macbeth will do anything, even if the actions are mortifying. His actions later fill him with unprepared guilt as evidenced with his confrontation with the ghost of Banquo. Upon first sight of the ghost Macbeth is in disbelief as he asks his other diners “which of you has done this?” (3.4.59). As Macbeth has been dismissing his actions to be just something influenced by the supernatural, he is unprepared to face a figure of someone he’s murdered. Banquo’s ghost being a symbol of Macbeth’s guilt shocks Macbeth, but Macbeth is unable to respond as he is finally realizing the consequences of his actions. This is exhibited in Macbeth’s talk to Lady Macbeth, claiming he is “in blood/ stepped in so far that, should I wade no more/ returning were as tedious as go o’er” (3.4.168-170). Finally realizing the severity of his actions, Macbeth is overwhelmed by guilt as he reviews his malevolent
acts. Macbeth’s interpretations of the prophecy leaves him unprepared for the guilt of his actions, as he has hid behind the illusion of the supernatural influencing him. Upon the first confrontation of the witches, Macbeth’s methods turned sinister and consequently left him with something he was simply unprepared to accept. Macbeth’s own interpretations led him to become violent, causing him to commit multiple cases of regicide. Therefore Macbeth’s own free will left him with an inconceivable amount of guilt.
as he ponders what their message conveyed. The alliteration reveals his thoughts about the credibility of the premonition, when he claims “two truths are told” (1.3.140). The repetition of the “t” sound emphasizes his wonder and exhibits his belief in the reliability of the witches. As the witches are supernatural beings, their prophecy must be omniscient and be truthful. This also sparks an internal conflict between whether or not Macbeth should trust the witches. This is exhibited in Macbeth’s paradox describing the supernatural as “cannot be ill, cannot be good” (1.3.144). Witches connote to be evil creatures; however if what they prophesize is true, then Macbeth will be powerful and better off. Struggling to decide, Macbeth attempts to determine the meaning the witches meant to convey. Abruptly his interpretation of the message reveals his sinister personality when he says “my thoughts, whose murder is yet but fantastical” (1.3.152). While the witches made no reference of regicide, Macbeth contemplation of murder suggests his belief that this is the only path to the crown. Underneath a violent mindset, Macbeth excuses his thoughts believing they’re under the influence of the supernatural. The sibilance said in his reflection upon the witches’ prophecy, suggests the witches were a “supernatural soliciting” (1.3.143). Describing the witches as soliciting conveys the idea that the supernatural came to him, and while it isn’t what he wanted it still influences his thoughts. Trying to convince himself, Macbeth blames the supernatural for his actions. This creates an excuse in which he uses to sweep his internal conflict into the back of his mind. After the murder of King Duncan, Macbeth turns to the next in line, Banquo. As Banquo was “hailed father to a line of kings” by the witches, Macbeth deems Banquo is also a threat to his seat to the throne (3.1.65). If Banquo isn’t immediately removed, under Banquo’s rule “[Macbeth’s] genius is rebuked” (3.1.61). The term “genius” symbolizes Macbeth’s attending spirit, which Macbeth believes is fate. Without fate, Macbeth would be powerless and stumble blindly along his path. Turning to the thought of murder again, Macbeth arranges for Banquo to be killed. Also once again, Macbeth believes his malevolent thought are the only way to fulfill the prophecy of him becoming king. Macbeth is also still under the illusion of the supernatural influencing all his actions. However the witches once again didn’t tell Macbeth regicide was the solution. Macbeth’s interpretation has led him to incomprehensible actions, which he still doesn’t accept responsibility for. If Macbeth didn’t remove Banquo, his supernatural support of fate would be rebuked. Therefore, in Macbeth’s eyes Banquo must be killed in order to protect fate. At this point in the play, Macbeth is seen as corrupt, by the other characters.
Macduff and Malcom have fled to England to seek help King Edward, to rid the tyrant Macbeth. Ignorant of the severity of his actions, Macbeth is unable to realize his faults. As a result of Macbeth’s own interpretations, he becomes so obsessed with taking the crown and fulfilling the prophecy that Macbeth will do anything, even if the actions are mortifying. His actions later fill him with unprepared guilt as evidenced with his confrontation with the ghost of Banquo. Upon first sight of the ghost Macbeth is in disbelief as he asks his other diners “which of you has done this?” (3.4.59). As Macbeth has been dismissing his actions to be just something influenced by the supernatural, he is unprepared to face a figure of someone he’s murdered. Banquo’s ghost being a symbol of Macbeth’s guilt shocks Macbeth, but Macbeth is unable to respond as he is finally realizing the consequences of his actions. This is exhibited in Macbeth’s talk to Lady Macbeth, claiming he is “in blood/ stepped in so far that, should I wade no more/ returning were as tedious as go o’er” (3.4.168-170). Finally realizing the severity of his actions, Macbeth is overwhelmed by guilt as he reviews his malevolent
acts. Macbeth’s interpretations of the prophecy leaves him unprepared for the guilt of his actions, as he has hid behind the illusion of the supernatural influencing him. Upon the first confrontation of the witches, Macbeth’s methods turned sinister and consequently left him with something he was simply unprepared to accept. Macbeth’s own interpretations led him to become violent, causing him to commit multiple cases of regicide. Therefore Macbeth’s own free will left him with an inconceivable amount of guilt.