Sunday, October 13, 2013

Fate in Macbeth, Act One

The role of fate in Macbeth is one that changes the course of Macbeth's actions. In Scene Four of Act One, Macbeth believes he may only become king if he kills Duncan. Do you think Macbeth is fated to kill Duncan? Or, do you believe Macbeth is using fate as a scapegoat for his actions?
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4 comments:

  1. AnonymousOctober 13, 2013 at 6:08 PM

    I believe that Macbeth is using fate as a scapegoat, because he doesn't even think about being remorseful for the crime he is planning to commit. He talks of his hearts 'dark and black desires' as if he knows and has chosen to kill Duncan for power. He has the motive as the witches 'predict' that he will become king, he was told by Duncan that he will be next-in line for the throne, and has Duncan turn around and change his mind. Bottom line: He seems to darn eager to kill the king than any cursed or pre-destined man should.

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  2. AnonymousOctober 13, 2013 at 7:15 PM

    Unlike Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth uses fate as a weapon for power. As the witches prophecy to him success the throne, they instill in him a strong motive to get this power they tell him of. Lady Macbeth strongly persuades him to engage in the crime and in the end Macbeth is swayed. Under the radar it seems that in his head the prophecy of the weird witches made him aware of his potential greatness. Banquo warns Macbeth as he says, "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" (Act I Scene 3 125-128). Banquo says that evil draws us in with a little truth to great lies and danger and the murder of Duncan was the ticket for Macbeth to get to his destination

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  3. AnonymousOctober 21, 2013 at 4:13 PM


    I don't know what scapegoat means, but I do not think Macbeth is fated to kill Duncan. I think it was an idea planted in his mind by the witches' prophecy that he mutilated to satisfy his obsessive quest for power. He was not initially planning to murder Duncan, but after Lady Macbeth served as a catalyst and pressured him into action, he saw the murder in a different light. He then used the prophecy as a justification for his unjust deeds to put his mind at ease and convince others of his "destiny".

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  4. AnonymousNovember 3, 2013 at 5:16 PM

    I think that Macbeth is using fate as a scapegoat, he could wait for Duncan to die naturally to become king, but he doesn't. He justifies killing Duncan with the prophesy

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