Macbeth's Freewill of Choice
"Macbeth’s Freewill of Choice”
Macbeth is one of William Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies. It tells the story of a man who makes bad choices based on the influence of others. Macbeth is an honorable solider until he meets three evil witches that know his deepest desire is to one day be king, so they tell him that he will be king one day. Macbeth immediately begins to have thoughts of murdering King Duncan even though he knows it is wrong. When Lady Macbeth learns that Macbeth will eventually become king, she begins making plans to murder Duncan as well. When Macbeth has doubts about the murder, Lady Macbeth uses the love he has for her to persuade him to make the choices she wants him to make. Therefore, Macbeth does not make the best choices possible. In fact, he makes all bad choices. Not only does he murder Duncan, he begins murdering people who are close to him as well. It is the influence of the three witches, Lady Macbeth, and Macbeth's own ambition that lead to his ultimate downfall. However, in the end it is Macbeth’s ambition the has the greatest influence over his choices.
Macbeth is a character that is easily influenced by three evil witches. In the beginning, they inform Macbeth of his fate; however, the choices he makes are of his own freewill and eventually lead to his destruction. Magill states, “They are symbolic of evil and prescient of crimes which are to come, but they neither encourage nor facilitate Macbeth’s actions” (3807). Therefore, they do not start a fire in Macbeth, instead they ignite the fuel which Macbeth created himself. Upon Macbeth’s arrival, the third witch says, “All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!” (1.3.50). Even though the witches do not have the power of deciding Macbeth’s fate, they are able to see into his heart and knows that his greatest desire is to become king. Therefore, his deepest desire has been ignited and the choices he makes thereafter affect the rest of his life. In fact,
Macbeth is one of William Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies. It tells the story of a man who makes bad choices based on the influence of others. Macbeth is an honorable solider until he meets three evil witches that know his deepest desire is to one day be king, so they tell him that he will be king one day. Macbeth immediately begins to have thoughts of murdering King Duncan even though he knows it is wrong. When Lady Macbeth learns that Macbeth will eventually become king, she begins making plans to murder Duncan as well. When Macbeth has doubts about the murder, Lady Macbeth uses the love he has for her to persuade him to make the choices she wants him to make. Therefore, Macbeth does not make the best choices possible. In fact, he makes all bad choices. Not only does he murder Duncan, he begins murdering people who are close to him as well. It is the influence of the three witches, Lady Macbeth, and Macbeth's own ambition that lead to his ultimate downfall. However, in the end it is Macbeth’s ambition the has the greatest influence over his choices.
Macbeth is a character that is easily influenced by three evil witches. In the beginning, they inform Macbeth of his fate; however, the choices he makes are of his own freewill and eventually lead to his destruction. Magill states, “They are symbolic of evil and prescient of crimes which are to come, but they neither encourage nor facilitate Macbeth’s actions” (3807). Therefore, they do not start a fire in Macbeth, instead they ignite the fuel which Macbeth created himself. Upon Macbeth’s arrival, the third witch says, “All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!” (1.3.50). Even though the witches do not have the power of deciding Macbeth’s fate, they are able to see into his heart and knows that his greatest desire is to become king. Therefore, his deepest desire has been ignited and the choices he makes thereafter affect the rest of his life. In fact,
Cited: Bernad, Miguel A., "The Five Tragedies in Macbeth." Shakespeare Quarterly 13, No. 1. 1962. Rpt. in Shakespearean Criticism, Vol. 80. Reproduced in Literature Resource Center. 30 Nov. 2007 <http://www.avl.lib.al.us> Gerwig, George William, "Lady Macbeth." Shakespeare 's Ideals of Womanhood. New York: The Roycroft Shops, 1929. Rpt. in Shakespearean Criticism, Vol. 69. Reproduced in Literature Resource Center. 04 Dec. 2007 <http://www.avl.lib.al.us> Keller, J. Gregory, "The Moral Thinking of Macbeth." Philosophy and Literature 29, No. 1. Apr. 2005. Rpt. in Shakespearean Criticism, Vol. 100. Reproduced in Literature Resource Center. 30 Nov. 2007 <http://www.avl.lib.al.us> Mack, Maynard, "The Many Faces of Macbeth." Everybody 's Shakespeare: Reflections Chiefly on the Tragedies. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1993. Rpt. in Shakespearean Criticism, Vol. 80. Reproduced in Literature Resource Center. 03 Dec. 2007 <http://www.avl.lib.al.us> Magill, Frank N. and Mazzeno, Laurence W. Eds. Masterplots.: 1,801 Plot Stories and Essay Reviews From the World’s Fine Literature. Vol. 7. Revised 2nd Ed. Pasadena, California: Salem Press 1996 Markels, Julian, "The Spectacle of Deterioration: Macbeth and the 'Manner ' of Tragic Imitation." Shakespeare Quarterly 12, No. 3. 1961. Rpt. in Shakespearean Criticism, Vol. 80. Reproduced in Literature Resource Center. 30 Nov. 2007 <http://www.avl.lib.al.us> McGrail, Mary Ann. “Macbeth: What Does the Tyrant?” Tyranny in Shakespeare. Maryland: Lexington Books, 2001. Rpt in Shakespearean Criticism, Vol. 100. Literature resource Center. 03 Dec. 2007 <http://www.avl.lib.al.us>