In Shakespeare’s Macbeth, the extent to which Macbeth is making his own choices has a seemingly ambiguous answer. In every event that takes place in this play, Macbeth has a chance to analyze all the possible courses of action, as well as the probable outcomes of each of those actions. The neglect for societal rules and human decency that he exerts is blatantly obvious, as Macbeth makes each choice with a clear mindset. He chooses to fully believe the witches’ prophetic tales after seeing negligible results in which he is crowned Thane of Cawdor, after which he makes his ambition known.
Macbeth then takes it upon himself not to wait for these prophecies to come true, but to act on them and force their effects into reality. Ultimately, he chooses his own destiny by falling into a continuous pattern of ignorance and selfishness. Macbeth is not a victim of fate, but of choice, for he consciously resolves every decision he makes.
The prophecies with which the witches bestow Macbeth guarantee him two positions: Thane of Cawdor and King of Scotland. Macbeth is skeptical at first as to whether or not these forecasts are accurate, but soon enough the Thane of Cawdor is killed, and Macbeth is in fact given this title.
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