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Essay On Free Will In Macbeth

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Essay On Free Will In Macbeth
When people confront a tragic event they’ve committed, they often brush off the blame onto others. In the tragedy Macbeth, William Shakespeare explores the effect of the supernatural influencing free will. When the witches’ introduce the prophecy of becoming king to Macbeth, he infers the prospect of murdering King Duncan is the only method of fulfilling the premonition. However, Macbeth is unable to accept the atrocity of the crime he’s committed and blames fate for his actions. Macbeth’s free will is emphasized and influenced through the witches’ prophecy, the supernatural becomes an excuse for his actions making him unprepared when he finally confronts his guilt. Upon being told the prophecy by the witches, Macbeth is in shock and wonder …show more content…
Macduff and Malcom have fled to England to seek help King Edward, to rid the tyrant Macbeth. Ignorant of the severity of his actions, Macbeth is unable to realize his faults. As a result of Macbeth’s own interpretations, he becomes so obsessed with taking the crown and fulfilling the prophecy that Macbeth will do anything, even if the actions are mortifying. His actions later fill him with unprepared guilt as evidenced with his confrontation with the ghost of Banquo. Upon first sight of the ghost Macbeth is in disbelief as he asks his other diners “which of you has done this?” (3.4.59). As Macbeth has been dismissing his actions to be just something influenced by the supernatural, he is unprepared to face a figure of someone he’s murdered. Banquo’s ghost being a symbol of Macbeth’s guilt shocks Macbeth, but Macbeth is unable to respond as he is finally realizing the consequences of his actions. This is exhibited in Macbeth’s talk to Lady Macbeth, claiming he is “in blood/ stepped in so far that, should I wade no more/ returning were as tedious as go o’er” (3.4.168-170). Finally realizing the severity of his actions, Macbeth is overwhelmed by guilt as he reviews his malevolent
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