Story Macbeth Essay

Submitted By foreverpenelope
Words: 620
Pages: 3

To Kill, or Not to Kill
In the story Macbeth by William Shakespeare destiny is a major theme. Destiny is a power that has control over the future. In the story of Macbeth, the character Macbeth had complete control over his destiny even though he was influenced by the witches and Lady Macbeth. In the first act Macbeth comes across the three witches who proceed to tell him the prophecy in which he will be King “All hail Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis!...Thane of Cawdor! …Macbeth, thou shalt be king hereafter!”(1.3) After hearing this there was a short bit of confusion, Duncan is currently King. Macbeth is an ambitious man who would love the title of King. He states “ If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me, without my stir.”(1.3.150) The idea and drive for power had awakened within Macbeth. The supernatural witches that spoke the prophecy play an important role in the decisions that Macbeth makes throughout the play. When the witches approach Banquo and Macbeth they both hear the prophecy. However the witches speak more directly to Macbeth. Once Macbeth does become Thane of Cawdor, he sees the first part of the prophecy coming true. This leads him to believe the rest of the witch’s predictions will come true. After this the ideas of the prophecy begin to consume Macbeth leading him to seek out options to speed the ideas of the prophecy along. Another key influence in the play is Lady Macbeth. She clearly wanted Macbeth to become King, allowing her to become Queen. Before the murder of Duncan, Macbeth has second thoughts and is urged to continue by Lady Macbeth. She insults his manliness saying “Thou wouldst be great, Art not without ambition” (1.5.5-6) Lady Macbeth even goes as far as to say that if Macbeth doesn’t go through with it then he must not love her “From this time, Such I account thy love”(1.7.38-39) After Macbeth murders Duncan he forgot to plant the bloody knives, Lady Macbeth goes to the servants quarters herself to plant the knives for him. Macbeth himself and himself alone made all the decisions. He had some influences from Lady Macbeth and the Witches. Once the first of the prophecies told by the witches started to come true Macbeth