Macbeth - Fate or Free Choice?

Macbeth - Fate or Free Choice?

In Macbeth by William Shakespeare, Macbeth's destiny is determined by the choices he makes. The first hint to the reader of Macbeth's choices comes as a warning from Banquo to Macbeth about believing the witches, or Weird Sisters. Once Macbeth starts to believe the witches, this belief facilitates his decisions to take certain actions. Macbeth's choice to believe the witches also gives them control over him, which further illustrates how Macbeth's destiny is fated by his choice to believe them. Throughout the play Macbeth has opportunities to stop believing in the witches, thereby choosing actions that might avoid a harmful fate. It is Macbeth's free choice to believe the witches or not, and it is this choice and his resulting actions that leads to his fate.

Banquo realizes how cunning, crafty and clever the witches really are after Macbeth becomes Thane of Cawdor. He cautions Macbeth by saying:

But 'tis strange.

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. - (1.3.134-138)

Banquo is saying that it is strange how "the instruments of darkness," (1.3.136) the witches, can lead Macbeth to harm by tricking him. They do this by telling Macbeth a small trifle - that he will become Thane of Cawdor. While this comes true, it is actually a result of Macbeth's acts of loyalty to the king. Once this first prophecy of the witches proves true, Macbeth believes that all the other prophecies will follow, and he acts accordingly. Macbeth's belief in the witches' foresight leads him to actions of "deepest consequences" (1.3.138). Banquo's idea examines how Macbeth's one choice to believe the Weird Sisters fates the rest of his actions.

Ignoring Banquo's warning, Macbeth begins to believe the witches and starts his fated actions. As Macbeth gains power and believes he is fated to gain greater power, he is drawn to a life of deceit and murder. It is Macbeth's hand which acts, although these actions are all driven by the clever witches because they know how he would react once he believes them. The one choice to have faith in the witches triggers the true fate of Macbeth.

Macbeth's choice to believe in the Weird Sisters also gives the witches control. The reader can see this when Macbeth says, "If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me / without my stir." (1.3.157-9) Macbeth believes