ENGLIT MACBETH fate/free will quotes Flashcards
Why is Fleance escaping in III.3 significant?
- witches’ predictions about Banquo’s descendants becoming kings may still become true
- suggests that it’s impossible to cheat fate, this means that Macbeth may have become king without murdering anyone
How is it suggested that Macbeth can control his own fate in III.5?
“shall spurn his fate”
suggests that he thinks he can change his fate and stop Banquo’s descendants from becoming king
How does Macbeth contrast when talking about how he killed Duncan?
- “I am settled and bend up” (I.7) sounds like he’s making a deliberate decision to kill Duncan
- “poor player” (V. later suggests he didn’t have any control over his actions and they were controlled by his fate
How does Macbeth show he believes in fate in I.3?
“chance may crown me without my stir”
shows that he believes in fate and is willing to sit back and wait for fate’s course of action to take place
How are the witches related to fate and free will?
it’s not clear whether they are the messengers of Macbeth’s fate or whether their predictions inspires Macbeth to make bad decisions
How does Macbeth show he believes in fate in V.5?
“a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage”
people are no more than actors who are playing a part who aren’t in control of their lives
How does LM show she believes in fate in I.5?
“fate and metaphysical and metaphysical aid doth seem to have thee crowned withal”
despite believing in fate, she decides that Macbeth must take action in order for anything to happen
How does the play hint that Macbeth might be in control in I.2?
“disdaining fortune”
- shows that Macbeth killed Macdonald against the odds
- hints that he could’ve changed his actions if he wanted to
How does Macbeth hint he’s in control in I.7?
“we will proceed no further”
- makes a deliberate choice not to kill Duncan after weighing up pros and cons
- hints that he’s in control
How is it suggested that Macbeth has free will?
some of the prophecies are self-fulfilling, Macbeth only chooses to act when he hears the prophecies
