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
Although the witches allude to the fate of Banquo and Macbeth, they are not clear and leave much to interpretation. Hecate, on the other hand, is very blunt and leaves no questions about what she is trying to say: Have I not reason, beldams as you are? Saucy and overbold,
... All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!” These prophecies throw into his mind the possibility that he could perhaps become King of Scotland. If the witches had not told Macbeth that he shall become king, there would have been much less chance that he would have thought about it himself, and even less chance that he would have murdered King Duncan. In Act IV the witches conjure up three apparitions for Macbeth. Each apparition gives Macbeth a message. 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.
Shortly after, Banquo warns Macbeth of danger, explaining that the witches may not be trustworthy: And oftentimes, to win us to our harm, The instruments of darkness tell us truths, Win us with honest trifles, to betray's In deepest consequence. By the end of Act I, Banquo still relates to Macbeth as his friend. Banquo has noticed a strangeness in Macbeth's behavior, but assumes it is merely a reaction to the new honor (Thane of Cawdor) he has suddenly received. Macbeth and Banquo maintain their friendship into Act II, when Banquo mentions the witches. Macbeth lies, saying he never thinks of them, but tells Banquo that he would like to discuss them further.
In William Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’, there were numerous factors that accumulated to lead up to the tragedies that occurred. The Weird Sisters were not catalysts for these tragedies, as they only acted as a mirror to reflect and reveal man’s true nature and flaws. A Shakespearean tragedy is when character flaws become so dominant that they lead up to a number of tragic events, and eventually the downfall of the characters themselves. This was demonstrated in the play when, after being foretold by the Weird Sisters that he would soon be King, Macbeth’s true nature began to surface. His desire for power eventually overpowered his morality and caused him to perform a series of violent murderous acts.
The Three Witches are evil and powerful woman who have the supernatural spirit. “Fair is foul, and foul is fair”(1.1.11) The Witches are telling us that there is good and evil, nothing is as it seems. The Witches tell Macbeth that he will be the thane of Cawdor and second that he will be King of Scotland. This puts Macbeth in a position where the Witches tell him to do something about his future, even if it means betraying his own King. “All hail, Macbeth, hail to thee, thane of Cawdor!
The Phrase “any shape” means that Macbeth would rather see even the fiercest of animals than see the ghost of Banquo, further telling us that he is being driven maniacal by his own thoughts. “my firm nerves” is ironic because his nerves are not even close to being firm at all, in fact his nerves are the farthest thing from firm if he is hallucinating a ghost in the first place. Shakespeare’s use of hallucinations and irony in act III creates the tone that Macbeth has truly gone
One of the main ideas Shakespeare tried to pursue was betrayal. “Look like the innocent flower /But be the serpent under it.” (Macbeth I, IV, 65-66) This quote can be used to describe the role of the characters in this play. Deceiving means to cause to believe what is not true; mislead. The Witches, Lady Macbeth, and Macbeth, play a big part with misleading others throughout the play. When Shakespeare wrote the play Macbeth he showed that being dishonest and misleading will bring you nothing in life but
Come, you spirits / That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here, / And fill me from the crown to the toe topful / Of direst cruelty!” (I.V.38-34).These lines tell how Lady Macbeth pressure Macbeth to kill King Duncan. If I were to add one ingredient to Lady Macbeth, it would be love. The reason why is that if she really loved Macbeth she wouldn’t pressure Macbeth to kill King Duncan because she would of worried what would of happen to him if he got a caught. If I were to remove a ingredient of Lady Macbeth it would be devotion. The reason why is that Lady Macbeth would not be devoted to make Macbeth king and result of having him to kill people to get
The unifying function of the paradox is sustained by Shakespeare on different levels in the play, through techniques such as juxtaposition and irony. At first reading, the witches seem to insinuate that what appears good is evil and what appears evil can be good, implying that noble values of goodness and beauty are reversed in the confused atmosphere (“fog and filthy air”). The really frightening word is “is”. According to the three witches what is fair – good, beautiful, right – is foul – ugly, shameful, wicked. The two things are identical.