Thread by @GCSE_Macbeth

Some of you asked about FATE. I will try to give some useful ideas on how to tackle FATE in a GCSE exam.

Here's a thesis statement you can use:

1/

Through Macbeth's character, Shakespeare presents a conflict between fate and free will. Although the exact influence of fate on Macbeth is deliberately ambiguous, overall his story is about the depth of human evil. The audience cannot attribute his actions to fate alone.

2/

Let's break it down into key quotes:
Act 1 Sc 3: BANQUO -- "To win us to our harm / The instruments of darkness tell us truths."

In other words, we can't be sure whether the witches' prophecy is really FATE, or whether it's a devilish trick to lead Macbeth into evil.

3/

Macbeth is happy to believe in fate when it suits him:
1.3 "If change will have me king, why, chance may crown me / Without my stir."

In other words, hey, if I'm fated to be King maybe I just need to let it happen without taking action.

But...

4/

Later on, Macbeth ignores the prophecies when his bloodthirstiness demands it, here deciding to kill Macduff:

4.1 "And yet I'll make assurance double sure / and take a bond of fate."

5/

KEY POINT: Shakespeare deliberately juxtaposes the witches' prophecy that "none of woman born" can harm Macbeth, with his decision to murder a mother (Lady Macduff) and her children.

6/

I think that's his way of showing that Macbeth's evil actions aren't just down to fate. He isn't "fated" to kill Lady Macduff and her children. Fate, as voiced by the witches, dictates that he doesn't need to. His actions are guided by free will. He chooses to do evil.

7/

At the end of the play, you can argue that living under the "knowledge" of his own fate has damaged Macbeth. Look what he says to Macduff right before his death:

5.8: "I bear a charmed life, which must not yield / To one of woman born."

8/

Blinded by the prophecy, Macbeth cannot see his own death approaching, or accept he has lost the war. And yet that phrase "bear a charmed life" suggests both a burden (recalling "bear the knife" in Act 2) and that he feels the influence of witchcraft.

9/

To summarise:
- we can never be sure if the witches were really speaking Macbeth's "fate" or influencing him
- Shakespeare shows that Fate isn't responsible for the evil of ambition
- in the end, Macbeth's belief in his own fate leads to suffering and tragedy.

10/

NOW, let's complicate matters.

CONTEXTUALLY, ideas about fate and free will in Shakespeare's time are CONFUSING AF.

The best you can do in an exam would be something like this:

11/

"The ambiguous role of Fate in Macbeth reflects the different ideas about fate and free will that were common in Shakespeare's time. Protestants such as James 1 believed that God knew all future events and already knew who would be saved, but...

the role of the Witches, associated with Satan, suggests that trying to know the future is a deadly act of hubris for a mortal such as Macbeth. In a way, Macbeth is only fated by history -- the audience knew that Malcolm and Banquo were the ancestors of future kings. Perhaps...

like a tragic hero he is fated by his own tragic flaw, his ambition that leads to bloodlust. Shakespeare's message is that even if you are followed a predetermined path in life, you can still commit evil that is of your own making."

There's a LOADS more you could say, and loads more of the play to cover (I didn't even mention the Dagger speech or the imagery of Time), but hopefully that will get you started.

Goodnight Thanes.

/end