Examples Of Free Will In Macbeth

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Throughout history, humans attempted to justify themselves for their wrongful actions in order to acquire fame and fortune. One example of this can be seen in in William Shakespeare’s tragedy Macbeth. Macbeth is delusional that he can control his future once he learns that his bloodline will not continue in his kingship, but Banquo’s line will live beyond. He wrongfully attempts to control fate using his free will. In Macbeth, Shakespeare makes an important antithesis: Fate may determine what will happen, but how destiny transpires is a matter of choices made by an individual. In Shakespeare’s Christian dominated world, the outcome of Macbeth’s destiny is the result of greed, leading to poor choices, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth made based on decisions and the use of their free will.…show more content…
In the beginning of the play the captain tells the story of Macbeth’s brutal battle between the Irish rebel Macdonwald, “For brave Macbeth—well he deserves that name—/Disdaining fortune, with his brandished steel,/Which smoked with bloody execution,/Like valor’s minion carved out his passage/Till he faced the slave;/Which ne'er shook hands, nor bade farewell to him,” (I.ii. 7-23). The captain is explaining how this brave brute Macbeth was lucky during his fight with Macdonwald because he (Macbeth) should have perished during the fight. Shakespeare makes a comparison between good fortune to a whore. It was a thought that that good fortune was a whore adored by all men and loyal to none. However during the battle, not even good fortune can help Macdonwald win, because Macbeth held her in contempt and was victorious. Through Macbeth’s murderous actions he is able to manipulate the outcome in his favor and win

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