Examples Of Free Will In Macbeth
Free will is seen much more frequently than fate. Fate is just much more obvious. Just like how the witches are guides for fate, Macbeth himself is actually a guide for free will. For example, Macbeth made the decision to kill the king. He was obviously persuaded by the promise of royalty but that decision was still all his own. In fact Macbeth even struggles with the decision. When talking to his wife he stated “We shall go no further in this business”. (Act 1, scene 7, page 2) His wife had to persuade him to go through with it. But that isn’t all, Macbeth also made the decision to kill Banquo after he worried that his child would eventually be royal. Macbeth did this out of his own fears but it was still his decision. Macbeth even tried to
convince his own hitmen that Banquo must be killed in the following quote.“Our fears in Banquo, Stick deep, and in his royalty of nature” (Act 3, scene 1) In which Macbeth essentially reveals that Macbeth is fearful of Banquo’s royal qualities. “Macbeth has killed Duncan and has become king of the Scots, yet he believes his crown is in jeopardy.” (Mabillard, Amanda. Commentary for Macbeth's Soliloquy To Be Thus Is Nothing) Macbeth’s insecurities drove him to want Banquo dead. Later in the story, Macbeth has Macduff’s family killed as well. He did this because Macbeth was simply so selfish minded that he hated Macduff for various immature reasons. One of which being that Macduff had not showed up at his party. Free will has a much more significant impact on the story than fate ever did. Fate was strictly used as motivation for Macbeth to do things of his own accord. He was simply influenced by the idea of fate. Macbeth made the decision to kill the king. His actions may have been previously determined but the actions were still all of his own.
convince his own hitmen that Banquo must be killed in the following quote.“Our fears in Banquo, Stick deep, and in his royalty of nature” (Act 3, scene 1) In which Macbeth essentially reveals that Macbeth is fearful of Banquo’s royal qualities. “Macbeth has killed Duncan and has become king of the Scots, yet he believes his crown is in jeopardy.” (Mabillard, Amanda. Commentary for Macbeth's Soliloquy To Be Thus Is Nothing) Macbeth’s insecurities drove him to want Banquo dead. Later in the story, Macbeth has Macduff’s family killed as well. He did this because Macbeth was simply so selfish minded that he hated Macduff for various immature reasons. One of which being that Macduff had not showed up at his party. Free will has a much more significant impact on the story than fate ever did. Fate was strictly used as motivation for Macbeth to do things of his own accord. He was simply influenced by the idea of fate. Macbeth made the decision to kill the king. His actions may have been previously determined but the actions were still all of his own.