Controlling Fate and Burying The Past in Macbeth

Introduction

Be careful what you wish for because it might come back to haunt you in the end. Macbeth was a general, with some positive qualities, but he definitely had flaws that came with his personality. These include committing numerous murders and crimes throughout the play. Some would say Macbeth tries to control his future, while others would argue he was a good person who didn't try to control anything or anyone. I believe Macbeth does try to control his future and bury the past by listening to and believing the witches and murdering other characters to get to the top spot.

Controlling Fate and Burying The Past in Macbeth

In Act 1, Scene 3, the witches state, “All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!” (Shakespeare, 1.3). It all began when the witches told Macbeth he was meant to become king. Before this revelation, Macbeth seemed happy and content with himself. Immediately after he found out the news, he began contemplating killing King Duncan. When Macbeth started to second guess his plan, his wife, Lady Macbeth, urged him to act on his desires by stating in Act 1, Scene 7, “Will you take the crown you want so badly, or will you live as a coward?” (Shakespeare, 1.7). Lady Macbeth ensured he performed his deed by making sure the murder was prepared for him. At the end of Act 2, Scene 1, he hears a bell. Macbeth says, “I go, and it is done. The bell invites me. Hear it not, Duncan, for it is a knell That summons thee to heaven or to hell” (Shakespeare, 2.1).

Macbeth went through with the killing of King Duncan, which changed his life for the worse. After Duncan’s death, Macbeth continued to forget the past and murder anyone he thought would be in his way of being king. In Act 3, Scene 1, Macbeth stated to the murderers, “To leave no rubs nor botches in the work Fleance, his son, that keeps him company, Whose absence is no less material to me” (Shakespeare, 3.1). This meant Banquo was killed by killers sent by Macbeth, all because Banquo was there when the witches told Macbeth about him becoming king. Banquo could have easily talked to Macbeth and assured him that he wasn’t thinking about taking his spot. If this were the case, Macbeth might have chosen a different route, preventing the murders and finding a more peaceful way to become king. Macbeth's actions reveal his ambition and his willingness to eliminate any perceived threats to his power.

The Influence of Lady Macbeth

Most would claim that it is not Macbeth who is controlling his future and burying his past, but rather his wife, Lady Macbeth, who is steering their destiny. She is the wife of a nobleman, after all, and she knows Macbeth will do anything she tells him to do. The counter-argument states that Macbeth was extremely cowardly throughout Act 1, allowing Lady Macbeth to take over his life. Lady Macbeth soon started to think she would have a lot to gain from being the wife of the king. So she immediately convinces Macbeth that he has to kill anyone who stands in his way in order to be the one and only king.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Macbeth controls his own future and buries his own past by making his own decisions and making sacrifices to secure the king’s position. Macbeth could have easily chosen better and wiser actions; instead, he chose to act differently and murder people to become king. All these actions and events happened because Macbeth chose to control his life throughout the play to secure his position as king. Macbeth is his own person, and he makes his own decisions, which shows that Macbeth controlled his future and buried his past by himself.

References:

• Shakespeare, W. (1606). Macbeth. In Act 1, Scene 3, Act 1, Scene 7, Act 2, Scene 1, Act 3, Scene 1.