Destiny can be defined by events that are written in the stars or are part of an inescapable fate. Some people believe that one is capable of writing their own destiny. Shakespeare portrays destiny as something that can be shaped through actions through the developing of Macbeth’s downfall. In Shakespeare’s play Macbeth, Macbeth shapes his destiny through his actions by allowing the witches’ prophecies to spark his ambition, allowing Lady Macbeth to influence his actions and by fully trusting the apparition’s visions.
To being with, Macbeth’s downfall initiates as his actions and growing ambition is influenced by the witches’ prophecies. One of the prophecies that develop Macbeth’s trust for the witches is him being prophesized and then pronounced Thane of Cawdor. Such triggers Macbeth’s thoughts of ambition. Upon hearing this prophecy, he does not believe it to be true. Ross is the one to deliver the news by calling his Thane of Cawdor “For an earnest of a great honour,/ He bade me, from him, call thee thane of Cawdor:/ In which addition, hail, most worthy thane! For it is thine”(1. 3. 109-112).
Subsequently, Macbeth thinks to himself “This supernatural soliciting/ Cannot be ill; cannot be good: if ill,/Why hath it given me earnest of success,/Commenting in a truth? ” (1. 3. 140-143). Macbeth begins to put trust in the witches’ prophecies because he experiences an unfolding of a prophecy. He begins to believe in the fact that the other prophecies will come true as well which influences him into dreaming of greatness and sparking his thirst for ambition that later fuel his actions.
As a result, Macbeth is responsible for his downfall due to his growing trust in the witches and his growing ambition. Yet another prophecy that influences Macbeth’s actions through his ambition is the witches’ prophecy that declares his as future king of Scotland. Thus leading Macbeth into killing Duncan. When Macbeth is debating whether to follow through with the deed of killing Duncan, Macbeth admits “I have no spur/ To prick the sided of my intent, but only/Vaulting ambition”(1. 7. 25-27). His thirst for power spurs him into killing Duncan.
Macbeth is not forced to act against Duncan, but the witches’ prophecy influences his ambition and actions, further proving that Macbeth is responsible for his downfall. Lastly, the witches prophesize Banquo as heir to a line of kings which influences Macbeth to kill his friend Banquo because of the threat to his ambition. Upon receiving the throne, Macbeth begins to fear that the throne will not be his forever. The prophecy begins to poke at Macbeth’s ambition: Put rancours in the vessel of my peace Only for them; and mine eternal jewel Given to the common enemy of man
To make them kings, the seed of Banquo kings! Rather than so, come, fate into the list, And champion me to the utterance! (3. 1. 71-76) Macbeth begins to realize that all the sacrifices for his kingship may be for Banquo. Macbeth acts against Banquo in order to remain king. Macbeth makes the decision to kill Banquo proving that he is fully responsible for his actions and their outcome. Ultimely, the witches’ prophecies only influence Macbeth’s actions and growing ambition, but are not responsible for his actions that lead to his downfall.
Macbeth also shapes his destiny through his actions by allowing Lady Macbeth to influence his thoughts and actions into murdering Duncan. Upon learning that he will be king, Macbeth sends a letter to his wife explaining the events that unfolded with the witches. Lady Macbeth begins to develop her thirst for power which later lures Macbeth into killing Duncan. She portrays her full intention by saying “The raven of himself is hoarse/ That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan/ Under my battlements” (1. 5. 41-43). She is not willing to let Duncan leave her house alive. She begins to plan his death right away.
Macbeth trusts her as his confidant; he is responsible for his downfall that is influenced by her dark thoughts that rose from his letter. His letter is the cause of her thoughts about killing Duncan; therefore, making him responsible for his downfall. In addition, Macbeth allows Lady Macbeth to plan to kill Duncan. Macbeth loses his power over the situation when Lady Macbeth decides that it will be her to complete the deed, “you shall put/ This night’s great business into my dispatch;” (1. 5. 74-75). Macbeth’s conscience attempts to remain clear about going through with the plan.
Lady Macbeth knows exactly what to do in order to influence Macbeth into doing what she wants. The fact that he is willing to allow Lady Macbeth to take full control of the action holds him responsible for the outcome. Furthermore, Lady Macbeth taunts Macbeth’s man hood. When trying to convince Macbeth to follow through with the murder of Duncan, When you durst do it, than you were a man; And, to be more than what you were, you would Be, so much more the man/ Nor time nor place Did then adhere, and yet you would make both: They have made themselves, and that their fitness now
Does unmake you. (1. 7. 54-59) To Macbeth, his manhood is truly what makes him the brave and highly honoured Macbeth at the beginning of the play. In this case, a woman is questioning his manhood back in the time when a woman was never worth more or equal than a man. Macbeth takes action in order to prove her wrong. This ultimately makes Macbeth responsible for his actions because he allows Lady Macbeth to influence his actions. To summarize, the fact that Macbeth allows Lady Macbeth to lure him into killing Duncan proves that Macbeth is able to shape his destiny through his actions.
Lastly, Macbeth is highly influenced by the apparition’s visions through his full trust in them that leads him to be over confident. The first apparition gains Macbeth’s trust through the first vision. The armed head declares “Beware Macduff;/Beware the thane of fife” (4. 1. 78-79). Macbeth is already aware that Macduff is not loyal to him and says “Thou hast harp’d my fear aright” (4. 1. 81). Macbeth trusts what the visions portray. Macbeth’s trust quickly develops into overconfidence because Macbeth believes he knows what to expect from Macduff.
Macbeth’s overconfidence causes Macbeth to act carelessly because he feels he is untouchable. The fact he acts carelessly by not organizing a large army to put off the English army, proves Macbeth is responsible for how he shapes his destiny. Identically, the second apparition’s twisted words influence Macbeth into thinking he is invincible. The apparition proclaims “For no man of woman born/ Shall harm Macbeth” (4. 1. 87-88). Macbeth believes he truly is invincible and that no one will hurt him ever Thou losest labour: As easy mayst thou the intrenchant air
With thy keen sword impress as make me bleed: Let fall they blade on vulnerable crests; I bear a charmed life, which must not yield To one of woman born. (5. 8. 11-16) Macbeth’s trust in the vision causes him to rely on their words and not his strategy. As a result, Macbeth takes action against Macduff’s family, which just further sparks Macduff’s hatred for Macbeth. Thus proving that Macbeth is capable of changing his own destiny through his actions. Macbeth’s overconfidence drives him to his downfall because he no longer fears Macbeth. Macbeth’s over confidence causes drives him to his downfall.
Furthermore, the third apparition further grows Macbeth’s trust which leads to his over confidence. The crown child indicates that “Macbeth shall never vanquish’d be until/ Great Birnamwood to high Dunsinane hill/ Shall come against him” (4. 1. 101-110). Upon hearing the vision, Macbeth is overwhelmed with joy because he believes it is impossible That will never be: Who can impress the forest, bid the tree Unfix his earth-bound root? Sweet bodements! good! Rebellion’s head, rise never, till the wood Of Birnam rise, and our high-placed Macbeth
Shall live the lease of nature, pay his breath To time, and mortal custom. (4. 1. 104-110) Macbeth’s confidence is so high that he believes nothing of the sort will occur. Once again, Macbeth’s trust is so strong for the vision that he self-assures himself that he will not be deafeated by anyone, let alone the English. Due to Macbeth’s overconfidence, Macduff is able to kill Macbeth, as a result of Macbeth’s lack of critical thinking. Without a doubt, Macbeth is fully responsible for his actions because he fully trusts the apparitions vision which soon lead him to his downfall and death.
In conclusion, Macbeth is able to shape his own destiny by allowing the witches prophecy to spark his ambition, allowing Lady Macbeth to influence his actions and by fully trusting the apparition’s visions. Overall, Macbeth is fully responsible for his downfall because Shakespeare portrays his destiny as one that is able to be shaped by his actions. Destiny is a power that is believed to control what occurs in the future but destiny can also be controlled through ones actions. Humans are capable of carving their own destiny.
