Free Will v. Predestination - 11/15/12

11/13/2012

Act I Scene III

It is said that the unspoken conflict in Macbeth is between free will and predestination; the subtle part of this study is the contrast of Macbeth and Banquo. Before responding, consider the witches and their affect on each character, how each character initially responds, how each character responds to their environment from thereafter, and what makes this conflict 'unspoken'. Question: Explain how free will and predestination shape a major unspoken conflict in Macbeth.

(Starts around line 50)

2 Comments

Ashley Ash

11/15/2012 08:23:51 am

When Macbeth and Banquo meets the witches they are told their future and each has their own reaction. Banquo is skeptical about what they are saying and he doesn't trust them. He also advises Macbeth to not listen to them, he thinks they are up to no good. Macbeth is fascinated by them and asks them to tell him more of his future. He is told that he is going to be Thane of Cawdor and that he is going to be king. After he is told that he begins to think of ways that he will become king. He comes up with two ways and when the crown is not passed onto him he begins to think of ways that he can make sure he will be king. His whole path is set to becoming king and he begins to try to change his path to make sure he gets the crown. Banquo is not effected by their prediction so he is fine with his path and does not try to alter it. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth both begin to become evil and dark and let themselves be twisted by what the witches said and by their own greed. Greed pushes them toward making sure that the prediction comes true and I think that it will effect the path that the book and the characters will take. They will become people who are not like themselves and only cares are their greed and future.

AshleyJudge

11/19/2012 05:10:08 am

The witches tell Macbeth about his future and he is going to do something to make it come true. The witches are giving Macbeth an opportunity to change his future. Free will is done on your own accord. Macbeth is at his own free will if he didnt want to be king he could of changed that.

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Free Will v. Predestination - 11/15/12

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