Valdivia 1
Elijah Valdivia
English 10- Period 4
Ms. Borjas
May 20, 2018
Fate vs. Free Will
Throughout the ages it is believed that fate, by some uncontrollable force, has the
power to forge one’s destiny, however some people believe that your choices have the
potential to defy one's destiny. The Tragedy of Macbeth, written by William Shakespeare
in the early 1600s, continues to be one of Shakespeare's darkest, and most powerful
stories. The play, set in Scotland, depicts the rise and fall of King Macbeth. It explores
whether Macbeth was in charge of his own destiny in his quest for power, or under the
control of others surrounding him. Fate has more power than free will because fate
already has your future decided, trying to escape your fate only makes matters worse, and
free will in its entirety, is an illusion.
Everyone has a destiny, they differ, but everyone falls victim to fate at some
point. Throughout Macbeth, various insights into the future are provided, primarily by the
Three Witches or Weird Sisters. The Weird Sisters are first introduced when Macbeth
and Banquo are returning from a victory on the battlefield and happen to come across
them. The Weird Sisters initially greet the two with praise and ambitious predictions.
Perhaps the most ambitious being of Macbeth’s rise to kingship. “All hail Macbeth that
shalt be king hereafter” (Shakespeare 1, 3). This is one of the many things that the Weird
Valdivia 2
Sisters said which actually happen to come true, after a series of events, Macbeth does
become king, and Banquo reminds him, “Thou hast it now: ki...
