Macbeth Controls His Own Fate By Katie Griffin British Literature Glenda Davis 3/16/14 Katie Griffin Griffin 1 Glenda Davis British Literature December 8, 2013 Macbeth Controls His Own Fate In Macbeth, a play by William Shakespeare, many argue whether the three witches control Macbeth or if Macbeth had control of his own actions. There are numerous points and much evidence that can back up the argument that the witches did not have complete dominance over Macbeth. “Macbeth’s great struggle is not against the witches, but between his conscience and ambition” (Jackson 1). The three
The witches never told Macbeth to kill; they merely stated that he was to become king. Macbeth makes the choice himself. Their prophecies were believed by Macbeth and lead him with a tormenting need for power where he kills in order to achieve his goals. Macbeth falls on his own accord because of how he chooses to let the supernatural govern his actions. One can look at Macbeth’s actions as the play unravels and see that he is clearly headed down a path towards disaster resulting from one source: his ambition.
If it wasn't for the influences of the people surrounding him, he would have lived happily as Thane of Cawdor, an honourable title in itself. The downfall of Macbeth was ignited by the actions by those around him, mainly the witches and his wife Lady Macbeth, and eventually, his ambitions took over. Macbeth never had the intention of killing his king, but was ultimately persuaded that it was the correct thing to do. The three witches planted the seed of ambition within Maceth. They were the driving force behind Banquo and King Duncan's killing.
Banquo also warns Macbeth as a friend, “… oftentimes, to win us to our harm, The instruments of darkness tell us truths…” Despite Banquo’s warning, Macbeth is now more confident that his deep inner desire will be fulfilled – especially after the witch’s prophecy. Mabeth feels that kingship is within his reach and acts upon the prophecy; however Banquo feels that he does not need to act, as he believes that if it is a true prophecy, it will happen without his action. This difference in their attitude is seen in their encounter with the witches. Unknowing if the witch’s declare the truth, Banquo is cautious in questioning them about the prophecies. “If you can look into the seeds of time, and say which grain will grow and which will not, speak then to me, who neither beg nor fear your favours nor your hate.” However, Macbeth commands “tell me more”.
His own human nature, paranoia and selfishness are what leads him to his death. Macbeth is to blame for his death at the end of the play. Macbeth is manipulated by the witches and believes in their prophecies. The witches have considerable influence over Macbeth throughout the play. First, their early predictions stating that he will be king, and then the predictions of the apparitions saying that he only could be murdered by someone that was not born of a woman.
Nowhere in that quote does Shakespeare mention Macbeth saying “we”. As a matter of fact, the word “we” was never uttered when Macbeth was formulating his next murders. “We” would be insinuating that there was more than one party responsible for the killing of King Duncan as well as his other victims. It was Macbeth’s greed, relentlessness and cowardliness that led to his own downfall. Many readers could argue that the Witches were responsible for Macbeth’s downfall.
The witches ensure that the messages are said in such a way that as to make Macbeth feel safe and out of harm’s way. All three apparitions appear as a different entity and each gives a different message. The first a bloody head tells him to “beware Macduff” and then the second tells him that “none of women born can harm Macbeth.” The third and final apparition says that Macbeth will not be destroyed until “great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill shall come against him. All of these are warnings for Macbeth, if he chooses to heed them. They lull Macbeth into a false sense of security because he believes the messages that were relayed to be
Unlike Macbeth, Banquo is a man of integrity, brave in battle but he’s always cautious of his actions. Banquo decided not to take the same path of Macbeth because he was not ambitious. At the beginning of the play they were both the same, guiding King Duncan’s army to battle and fighting together. Banquo and Macbeth meet the witches together, but Banquo is more skeptical about it. After the witches prediction came true about Macbeth being the thane of Cawdor, Banquo knew he should be more cautious about Macbeth.
But this does not mean that man is essentially wicked. In order for a man to become evil, evil must be taught to that person. In the play Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, the protagonist, Macbeth, faces a conflict against evil. Driven to become king, his ambition leads him to do all that is necessary in order to obtain and retain the kingship. Though he is responsible for wicked things, Macbeth is inherently good, but becomes evil in order to achieve his goals.
So they will "hover" in the fog, and in the dust and dirt of battle, waiting for the chance to do evil. Fair is Foul and Foul is Fair" is a paradox, a statement that appears to be contadictory but actually expresses the truth. The witches are foul, but they give fair advice. Macbeth seems like a hero, but he is a plotter and dastard. It is quite interesting to note that the words of the witches will have an echo in Macbeth’s “So foul and fair a day I have not seen”.