Question

I need help on writing this essay on Macbeth. Here is the instructions, I have read Macbeth but I'm not a good writer. Please help me with this.
Is Macbeth a tragedy of fate or of character? In determining your position on this, consider whether the witches play a central or collateral role in shifting the ambitions and actions of the play’s characters.

Answer 1

So the question is whether Macbeth's demise was due to fate (he couldn't control his demise, since it was his destiny)or due to his choices (he earned his demise by being selfish, cruel, scheming, etc). You can argue for either one - I would choose character and say that at every point Macbeth chooses to do something bad, he receives some sort of sign telling him to turn back, but he ignores it. The witches egg him on and tell him that he will be destined to rule over Scotland, etc. I think they play a collateral role; you cannot blame them for Macbeth's sins, but they certainly did help push him down his path