Fate vs. Chance - It's a struggle that is shown countless times throughout Shakespeare's work, you'd think we would have gotten over it by now. But no, it is still a question that will forever loom over human existence.
If you want my opinion, which I'm sure you don't, I believe the events in my life have been guided by chance, or for better words, free will. For there to be one set pathway that the Earth will ever witness seems completely unrealistic to me. Who would have the power to choose the fate of all things that have existed, are existing, and will ever exist? If there is a God, why would he even care so much as to choose every single happening ever. That is an insane, infinite, amount of things. If I were God, I wouldn't bother. But let's be honest, God would probably want to utilize his omnipresence a little, so again, if God does exist, nothing is stopping him from performing some of his all-powerful magic and putting some events' fate into his own hands. Not all events are guided by fate, but it is possible that a few happenings are set in stone.
It is very apparent that Shakespeare was enthralled with the idea of fate. But whether he believes in in it, is in question. In fact, I propose that Macbeth was making fun of people that think their lives are placed in fate's hands.
From the beginning of the play Shakespeare uses supernatural characters, such as the three witches, to inform Macbeth of his "predetermined" future. Macbeth questions the witches' prediction, he exclaims that "The Thane of Cawdor lives. Why do you dress me in borrowed robes?" (Act I, Scene III). But I believe that this experience only caused Macbeth to have the possibilities of being King set in his mind, showing the dominance and influence of supernatural powers, something I believe Shakespeare did believe in. However, the supernatural characters may actually serve as a physical symbol for people's deepest darkest desires and the evil within all men. Macbeth claims "If chance will have me as King, why chance may crown me without my stir," but as the thoughts race through his mind, and the possibility that this could be fate wreaks havoc in his brain, he takes action to ensure the prophecy is fulfilled (Act I, Scene III).
King Duncan had to die. Macbeth made the choice to kill, all in the name of the prophecy. Fate did not make King Duncan die, it was Macbeth's own selfish ambition that killed Duncan. The killing of King Duncan and Banquo, as well as the attempted murder of Fleance, was all facilitated by the supernatural, or possibly the selfish thoughts of Macbeth taking physical shape. Macbeth had control over his actions, this I am sure of, but was it influenced by the supernatural or Macbeth's inner evil?
"Strange things I have in head, that will to hand, which must be acted ere they may be scanned." (Act III, Scene IV)
I'm leaning toward inner evil. Macbeth has schemes in his head that he is planning to put into action. He has to do these things for his goal to be met, and him to be ensured his kingship, he just has to do them before he has the chance to think about them. He knows he will regret following through on his selfish wishes, but they are stronger than him.
First of all, I saw that Anne of Green Gables reference. You ain't slick. Second of all, I liked reading this, you gave good insights on how fate/free well can intersect. I especially liked you bringing in religion alongside the supernatural as a way to justify your arguments. However, I would like to see more explanation as to why the events of the play were NOT fate. You explained very well what you thought was simply evil human nature, but your explanation for fate not being the primary factor was mostly "This exists so it can't be that"
ReplyDeleteI liked what you were saying in the first paragraph....like guess he can but I can't see God mapping out like,, me leaving my car lights on & letting the battery die. When it comes to fate and chance I agree with you because some things are bound to happen but a lot of it occurs because of our choosing. I think Shakespeare chose to focus on the supernatural element so much because fate is such a fleeting and vague idea and harder to prove than choice and chance. The obvious effect of this is how Crazy™ Macbeth seemed as the play progressed. Like you were saying, Macbeth is given this prophecy but he decided to kill Duncan. Like Macbeth, sometimes we build things up and tell ourselves it was fate but in reality it was just the collection of choices.
ReplyDeleteThe comment font makes me want to gouge my eyes with rusted soviet surgical implements. The pain. However, while I disagree with your font choice, I do agree with your thoughts about Macbeth's evilness stemming from an internal source. The thought dealing with Macbeth's lack of willpower was an interesting one, and I think that I could be expounded upon further.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Macbeth made his own choice, but is there any way we can prove that supernatural influence was involved. I feel you made a great argument regarding fate and how it was most likely the idea that decided Macbeth's end, not fate itself.
ReplyDelete