macbeth fate vs free will essay plan

can be used for tragic hero as well

thesis

While the downfall of Macbeth can be attributed in part to his own ambition, it is the manipulative influences of external forces against his free will, most notably the witches and Lady Macbeth, that are ultimately instrumental in ensuring his tragic downfall.

argument 1 part 1

Macbeth’s initial ambition establishes the foundation for his downfall, as Shakespeare portrays him as already tempted by kingship before the witches or Lady Macbeth exert influence.

E: I have no spur / To prick the sides of my intent but only, / Vaulting ambition.. (1.7)

E: Indicates the existence of this ambition but the lack of motivation to take action

A: Through Shakespeare’s use of the metaphor of an overly-enthusiastic horse rider: aware of the dangers of unchecked ambition – disrupts natural order and threatens to override reason – downfall initially stems from his own free will and desires

argument 1 part 2

E: “Stars, hide your fires; Let not light see my black and deep desires” (1.4).”

E: Appeals to darkness to conceal his treacherous thoughts – ambition can drive him towards regicide

A: Jacobean belief of loyalty to the king – reinforces by Divine Right of Kings – desire is treasonous and blasphemous – reinforces value of loyalty to the King and belief that challenging monarch disrupts order

argument 2 part 1

T: The witches are instrumental in shaping Macbeth’s downfall, as their cryptic prophecies exploit his ambition while reflecting Jacobean fears of the supernatural.

E: ‘All hail, Macbeth! That shalt be king hereafter’ (1.3)

E: Kingship is inevitable, awakening Macbeth’s ambition – deliberately use equivocation to withhold details on how this destiny will be achieved

A:  Positions audience to view witches as catalysts rather than controllers of fate – cultural belief that the devil temps but does not compel – Jacobean audiences fear witchcraft

argument 2 part 2

E: ‘None of a woman born shall harm Macbeth’

E: Equivocal prophecy lulls Macbeth into false sense of security – stems from not only destiny itself but his choice to interpret their words

A: Manipulate Macbeth into reckless arrogance – embody Jacobean fears of supernatural corrupting human morality and being agents of chaos – yielding to influence is a failure to free will

argument 3 part 1

T: Lady Macbeth’s manipulation transforms Macbeth’s ambition into violent action, as she challenges both his conscience and Jacobean gender values.

E: “When you durst do it, then you were a man” (1.7). and  ‘..too full o’ th’ milk of human kindness’ (1.5)

E: Equates masculinity with willingness to commit murder, attacking Macbeth’s sense of identity – pushes him to act against his better judgement

A: Depicts her manipulation as transgressive, as she subverts patriarchal expectations of a woman being nurturing and passive – Jacobean audiences: unnatural and brings about chaos

argument 3 part 2

E: Look like th’ innocent flower, but be the serpent under’t” (1.5).

E: Instructs him to embrace deception – mask treachery under a façade of loyalty – reflects role in pushing Macbeth’s ambition

A: Instigator of regicide – critiques dangers of moral corruptions and reaffirms Jacobean values of loyalty to the King