Macbeth Intro

Fate Vs. Freewill
In Macbeth, it is questionable if fate or freewill is what causes Macbeth to do the things he does through out the play. It would appear that Macbeth is just following destiny at first, but through out the tragedy, Macbeth acts on freewill because he is convinced he can change the fate the three weird sisters prophesized for him at his own will. Macbeth acting on his own freewill is what ultimately led him to his death.
When Macbeth first encounters the three weird sisters, they present to him a foreshadow of his destiny by saying, “All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, thane of Glamis! All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, thane of Cawdor! All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!” (I, iii,?). They also say to Banquo “Thou shalt get kinds, though thou be none. So all hail, Macbeth and Banquo!” (I, iii, ?). This is saying that although Banquo will not be king, his descendants will be.  Shortly after this first encounter with the three weird sisters, Macbeth meets Ross and Angus that tell Macbeth he is going to be Thane of Cawdor, because the other one had been sentenced to death. This gives evidence to Macbeth that the fate the three weird sisters told him was really going to happen, and Macbeth later says “If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me without my stir.” (I, iii, ?), meaning that Macbeth really thinks fate will make him King. Its obvious now that all Macbeth can think about is becoming King. This leads him to think that Malcolm stands in his way and states, “The prince of Cumberland?? That is a step on which I must fall down, or else o’erleap for in my way it lies.” (I, iv, ?). Macbeth then plans to kill Malcolm on his own freewill.