Macbeth Themes - Fate vs Free Will

Question 1

Act 1 Scene 3
Macbeth-“If chance will have me king, why
chance may crown me without my
stir”

Answer 1

This suggests at this point point of the play Macbeth believes in fate and is happy to let it run its course.

Question 2

Macbeth - “Come fate, into the list, and
champion me to th’utterance”

Answer 2

• Ironic that he is asking fate to change the future.
• His belief in fate made him fearful as Banquo’s children are fatefully going to be passed down the crowning of Scotland.

Question 3

Act 3 Scene 5
Hecaty - “ He shall spurn fate”

Answer 3

• Suggests that Macbeth has contempt for fate
  and is acting on his own free will.
• Possibly his attitude to fate has changed at this
  point of the play.