Theme- Fate vs Free will

Question 1

Characters

Answer 1

Macbeth
- The central figure in the debate. Influenced by prophecy, but makes conscious, morally significant choices to kill and seize power.
- Chooses action over patience—his downfall is largely self-driven.

The Witches
- Symbolize fate. They give cryptic predictions that seem inevitable, but they never tell Macbeth what to do—only what might happen.

Lady Macbeth
- Pushes Macbeth to act. Believes in taking fate into their own hands.
- Her manipulation highlights human agency over destiny.

Banquo
- Also hears a prophecy, but unlike Macbeth, chooses inaction and trust in fate.
- Represents a foil to Macbeth—fate without interference.

Macduff
- His birth defies the witches’ predictions. Reinforces that fate isn’t always what it seems—free will can rewrite fate.

Question 2

Quotations and analysis

Answer 2

“All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis! …Thane of Cawdor! …That shalt be king hereafter!”
- Witches (Act 1, Scene 3)
Analysis: This prophecy sparks Macbeth’s ambition. It sets fate in motion—but it’s his choice to force it to come true.

“If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me, / Without my stir.”
- Macbeth (Act 1, Scene 3)
Analysis: At first, Macbeth considers letting fate unfold naturally. This moment of hesitation shows his internal conflict between fate and free will.

“Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none.”
- Witches to Banquo (Act 1, Scene 3)
Analysis: Banquo’s prophecy shows fate working differently for different people. He chooses to let things be, unlike Macbeth.

“Come what come may, / Time and the hour runs through the roughest day.”
- Macbeth (Act 1, Scene 3)
Analysis: Another moment where Macbeth leaves his future to fate—but this doesn’t last long.

“I am in blood / Stepp’d in so far…”
- Macbeth (Act 3, Scene 4)
Analysis: Macbeth realizes he’s chosen a path of violence. Fate didn’t force him to continue—his choices did.

“None of woman born shall harm Macbeth.”
- Witches (Act 4, Scene 1)
Analysis: This prophecy gives Macbeth false confidence. But fate is misleading—it’s interpreted wrongly due to his desire for certainty.

Question 3

Summary

Answer 3

The witches initiate the idea of fate, but Shakespeare shows that free will drives the plot. Macbeth hears fate and chooses to act on it.

Macbeth interprets the prophecies to suit his ambition—fate gives the idea, but his actions bring tragedy.

Banquo acts as a foil—he receives the same fate-like vision but lets destiny unfold, maintaining his morality.

Shakespeare suggests that trying to control fate leads to destruction, while accepting fate can preserve honour.

The ambiguity of the witches’ words shows that fate is not fixed—it’s shaped by how people respond to it.