Macbeth - Fate vs Free will

Question 1

“All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis! / Hail______

Answer 1

to thee, Thane of Cawdor! / Hail to thee, that shalt be king hereafter!”

The Witches (Act 1, Scene 3)

Analysis: The witches' prophecy sets the events of the play in motion. They predict Macbeth’s rise to power, giving him the title of Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor, and eventually king. Although the witches seem to foreshadow his fate, they do not explicitly tell him how he will achieve the crown, leaving him with the free will to act upon the prophecy as he chooses. Macbeth’s decision to act on the prophecy, thus deciding his fate, reveals the interplay between fate and free will in the play.

Question 2

“Out, out, brief candle! Life’s but a______

Answer 2

a walking shadow

Macbeth (Act 5, Scene 5)

Analysis: In this famous soliloquy, Macbeth reflects on the futility of life. He sees life as a brief, insignificant performance, driven by forces outside one’s control. This line reflects Macbeth’s ultimate disillusionment with fate and free will—he believes that nothing truly matters, and all actions are ultimately meaningless. His perspective on fate has shifted from a belief in the power of prophecy to a nihilistic view that nothing, not even free will, has any lasting value.

Question 3

“Give me my_____

Answer 3

armor.”

Macbeth (Act 5, Scene 3)

Analysis: Macbeth, by this point in the play, no longer believes that fate can simply be left to run its course. His decision to arm himself and fight to the bitter end is his final attempt to control his destiny. This marks a shift from the earlier fatalism he expressed to a more proactive stance. Although he has been told of his demise by the witches’ prophecy, he still seeks to use his free will to fight fate, even though he is ultimately doomed.

Question 4

“What’s done cannot be

Answer 4

undone.”

Lady Macbeth (Act 5, Scene 1)

Analysis: Lady Macbeth speaks this line as she grapples with the consequences of the murders she and her husband have committed. The line underscores the theme of irreversible action—once Macbeth and Lady Macbeth have chosen to kill Duncan, there is no turning back. While their free will led them to make the choice, they are now trapped by the consequences, and fate seems to be pushing them toward their eventual downfall. This is a key moment where free will intersects with the inexorable force of fate, as the characters realize they cannot escape the repercussions of their actions.

Question 5

“Turn hell-hound

Answer 5

, turn!”

Macduff (Act 5, Scene 8)

Analysis: Macduff calls Macbeth a "hell-hound" in their final confrontation. This line reflects how Macbeth’s actions have led him to a fate where he is seen as a monster, someone beyond redemption. It shows that Macbeth, who once believed he was in control of his own fate, is now a victim of his own choices. Macduff, acting on his own free will, is the one who fulfills the prophecy, killing Macbeth and bringing an end to his reign. The final moments of the play demonstrate how Macbeth's free will led him to confront the inevitable—his death at the hands of Macduff, who was fated to kill him.