thesis statement on fate and free will

114 Free Will Essay Topics & Examples

Looking for arguments for your paper on ethics or freedom? Our experts have gathered free will essay examples and topics that will help you find ideas and evidence.

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💡 interesting topics to write about free will, 📌 simple & easy free will essay topics, 👍 good free will essay topics, ❓ questions about free will.

• Concept of Free Will in “Paradise Lost” by John Milton All these kind of punishments provokes the image in the readers’ mind that God has done what he warned to Adam and Eve.
• Predestination vs. Free Will The protagonists of free will acknowledge that God is always aware of the choices that people intend to make and the consequences thereof.
• Free Will and Determinism According to William James and Jean-Paul Sartre What is important to note at this point is that both philosophers rejected the notions of free will and determinism albeit in varying levels and for different reasons.
• Fatalism and Free Will: Terms Comparison Some of them, especially at the initial stages of the development of the mankind, kept to the point of view that certain supernatural forces control and predetermine all actions of people and events in the […]
• Free Will and Fate in Sophocles’ Oedipus the King Drama Even though the role of fate and prophecy is significant in influencing the life of Oedipus, the king’s destiny can be discussed as a direct result of his actions, choices, and decisions.
• Free Will: Towards Hume’s Compatibilist Approach According to Williams, libertarians are of the view that free will is rationally incompatible with the concept of determinism, and that a deterministic world may be rationally impossible or false.
• The Concept of Free Will by Susan Wolf In the Asymmetry of the Reason view, Wolf argues that responsibility depends on the aptitude to operate and act in agreement with the true and good.
• The Book of Genesis: Predestination and Free Will The Book of Genesis sets the stage for the later books, explains the main concepts, laws, God’s promises to the people, and introduces the characters who played an essential role in God’s plans and God […]
• Free Will in Human Life: Reality or Fraud? The paradox of the question about free will for humans is also related to the role of God and the impossibility of great philosophers to provide a clear answer.
• Do Humans Have Free Will? However, he takes the view that some humans are not guided only by laws to act and they are not able to exercise their own free will.
• “The City of God” by Saint Augustine: Theme of Free Will I am going to analyze the theme of free will in the book written by Saint Augustine “City of God” as it is an imprescriptible symbol of religious text, aspects of morality, and the interpretation […]
• Romans 8:30: Predestination and Free Will in Christian Theology In order for the verse to be understood, it is important to provide context to the meaning of the words. On the other hand, predestination is linked to humans being predestined to resemble Jesus, while […]
• The Divine Sovereignty of God and the Free Will of Man God’s intervention in history means for most biblical authors that the will of God ultimately determines the course of events, and human freedom is manifested in the fact that he either accepts this will of […]
• Moral Responsibility, Free Will and Determinism On the other hand, however, it would be unreasonable to assume that the phenomenon of free will is entirely applicable in today’s social and moral contexts as well.
• Machiavelli’s Views on Free Will and Class Conflict Thus, Machiavelli raised the question of the historical and political process laws and the need for both objective conditions and the role of the human factor, participants in political activity.
• Saint Augustine and the Question of Free Will Applying Augustine’s idea of free will to the concept of an all-knowing God, one could think that after God deprived Adam and Eve of free will, the future choices we make are made by God […]
• Determinism and Free Will Controversy The problem of determinism is that applying such a system to an individual would bring it to the point of absurdity.
• Free Will: Determinism and Libertarianism The first one constitutes a belief that there is no free will in nature and that all of the actions are already predetermined.
• Free Will vs. Determinism as Philosophical Concepts An objective and meticulous examination of the freedom and responsibility spectrum that highlights the difference between choice and causation explains whether human actions are free or predetermined.
• Free Will and Its Possible Extent According to Compatibilism philosophy, Clarence’s murdering his girlfriend is a free action, because, as Hume states, “the conjunction between motives and voluntary actions is as regular and uniform as that between cause and effect in […]
• Against Free Will: Determinism and Prediction On the other hand, humans have the ability to make predictions about themselves and others, some of which will come true, undermining the idea of free will.
• Analysis and Comparison of Determinism, Compatibilism and Libertarianism, Free Will It would be safe to assume that a person’s environment is limited by the geography of the planet and the amount of possible places to visit, which is enormous but is nonetheless limited.
• Free Will in Hinduism and Christianity: Ideologies on Both Religious Practices and Philosophy On the basis of the aspect of free will, the determination of the laws of karma is not favoring to particular people as everyone is treated the same, and has the same opportunity for personal […]
• Free Will and Choice in Islamic Psychology The free choice is concentrated on nafs that a human being has, according to Quran: nafs can be good or bad, and it is up to an individual whether to strive towards the higher potentials […]
• Free Will and Willpower: Is Consciousness Necessary? This plainly makes it a duty to love ourselves and regard our own happiness by the value of the scale. It is our desire only that induces within us the spirit to help others therefore […]
• Calvinism and Wesleyanism: Predestination vs. Free Will On the one hand, the emphasis on the sovereignty of God has been the source of Reformed piety, the inspiration of the courage, self-sacrifice, and broad humanitarianism that has often marked the Children of Geneva.
• Free Will and Argument Against Its Existence Determinism is a theory which states that the course of the future is determined by a combination of past events and the laws of nature, creating a unique outcome.
• Free Will and Determinism Analysis Jonathan Edwards, in his fundamental work The Freedom of the Will, argues that the will always choose according to its greatest desire at the moment of choice.
• Hunting, Death, and Free Will: “No Country for Old Men” by the Coen Brothers From the beginning, the directors of the film warn the viewer that the movie is about at least two things: hunting and death.
• Van Inwagen’s Philosophical Argument on Free Will The notion of a state should be treated in such a way that the physical condition of the world remains independent of logic.
• Philosophy: Free Will of Aristotle and Lucretius The philosopher says that every action having place under the influence of the external force is not a free will, which comes from the inner desire and motivation of an individual. Moreover, the movie is […]
• Human Free Will in Philosophical Theories The above factors are completely out of our control thereby affirming the fact that we do not act out of free will. Essentially, we may seem to have free will but our actions and decisions […]
• Morality and Free Will in “Daisy Miller” by James Later on that evening, Daisy suggests to Winterborne about her wish to ride on the lake and willingly overlooks the appropriateness of the time.
• Ontology, Free Will, Fate and Determinism On the other hand, fate is simply the predetermined course of the events or the predetermined future. It is pragmatic that people should not believe in the cause and effect.
• Nielsen’s Free Will and Determinism: An Analysis and Critique Despite the proof that Nielsen provides for the fact that determinism and freedom can actually coexist and, moreover, complement each other, Nielsen makes it clear that the existence of moral luck defines the boundaries of […]
• Ethical Issue of Free Will in Business In this paper, we shall discuss and understand the importance of free will in the sphere of business. According to some people, social reforms are the duty of politicians and not the business community.
• Free Will Does Not Exist It cannot be imagined how the society would be is there was no thought in the minds of the people about the existence of God who oversees the actions of deeds of people in the […]
• What is the difference between compatibilsm and incompatibilist in relation to free will The no choice statement provides that if a person lacks choice in relation to p, and also lacks choice in relation to whether if p, then q, then there is no choice in relation to […]
• The Issue of the Free Will On the one hand, the opponents of the hard determinism state that free will exists and people do not base their own decisions on anything, however, it is possible to say that the decision was […]
• Faith or Free Will Used in the Movie – Minority Report and the Drama – Antigone In life, people have the freewill to choose what they want; however, in some cases, faith and fate takes the center stage despite the choices made through freewill.
• The Workings Of Destiny, Fate, Free Will And Free Choice In Oedipus The King
• The Natural Law on Free Will and the Nature of Evil According to St. Thomas Aquinas
• The Unalienable Right of Free Will in A Clockwork Orange, a Novel by Anthony Burgess
• Were Adam and Eve Influenced By the Snake or Free Will
• The Three Claims on the Debate on Free Will Between Libertarianism and Determinism
• What is The Meaning of Free Will in Life
• The Theme of Free Will in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, a Novel by Mark Twain
• The Role of Fate Versus Free Will in Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling
• Determinism Vs. Indeterminism And The Existence Of Free Will
• Critically Examine the Claim That Free Will and Determinism Are Incompatible
• The Struggle Between Fate and Free Will in One Hundred Years of Solitude, a Novel by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
• How Free Will And Inborn Neurological Hardwiring Influence Morality
• Triumph of Free Will in Anthony Burgess’ A Clockwork Orange
• An Overview of the Imposition of Law as Free Will and the Myth of the Social Contract
• Destiny, Fate, Free Will and Free Choice – Prophecies in Oedipus, Antigone, and Agamemnon
• An Analysis of Fate and Free Will in William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar
• Baron D’holbach And William James On Free Will And Determinism
• Can Free Will And Determinism Co-exist
• The Theory Of Free Will And Determinism
• What is Frankfurt’s account of free will? Is it successful?
• Aeneas’s Free Will Despite His Fate in The Aeneid
• The Theme of Free Will and Spirituality in A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess
• An Argument in Favor of Hard Determinism in the Debate on Free Will and Determinism
• Comparing Destiny, Fate, Free Will and Free Choice in Oedipus the King and Antigone
• Boundaries of Destiny, Fate, Free Will and Free Choice in Oedipus the King
• Analysis of the Actions of Macbeth and Doctor Faustus Based on Free Will and Fate
• Who Is Responsible for the Downfall of Oedipus Fate or Free Will
• The True Nature And Extent Of Influence Of Free Will Versus Fate
• The Varying Levels of Free Will in Aeschylus’ Agamemnon
• Understanding the Foreknowledge of God and Its Influence in Free Will and Predestination
• Concept Of Free Will In The Brothers Karamazov
• Understanding the Existence of Free Will and Determinism
• Compatibility Of Free Will In The Tenseless Theory Of Time
• Emotions and Free Will in Sophocles’ Oedipus the King
• The Scorch Trials Movie And The Issue Of Free Will
• The Question of Free Will Versus Determinism in Oedipus Rex by Sophocles
• Control and The Role of Destiny, Free Will, and Fate
• Existence, Conee And Sider Go Over The Description Of Free Will
• The Witches In Macbeth: Corruption And Fate Vs. Free Will In William Shakespeare’s Macbeth
• Augustine´s View on the Origins of Sin, Grace, and Free Will
• The Issue of Free Will in The End of Evil, an Article by Ron Rosenbaum
• Destiny, Fate, Free Will and Free Choice in Oedipus the King – Fate and the Modern World
• Attitudes and Free Will in the Book of Genesis and Paradise Lost by John Milton
• How Do Our Duties and Responsibility Affect Our Free Will, Determinism, and Compatibilism?
• Why Does Galen Strawson Think Free Will Is Impossible?
• What Was Benjamin Libet‘s Free Will Experiment?
• Does Advertising Erode Free Will?
• How Does Pride Effect Free Will and Fate?
• Can You Put Free Will Into an Equation?
• How Can Quantum Brain Biology Rescue Conscious Free Will?
• Does Free Will Exist or Is It All an Illusion?
• Is Free Will a Third Option Aside From Chance and Necessity?
• How Do Race, Gender, and Socioeconomic Class Limit the Free Will of Americans?
• Are Our Lives Governed by Fate or Free Will?
• Does Oedipus Have Free Will?
• Can Free Will and Determinism Coexist?
• Does Free Will exist within Milton’s Hierarchy’s Constraints in Paradise Lost?
• How Does the Conflict Between Free Will and the Predestination Play Out?
• Does Macbeth Have Free Will?
• How Do Fate and Free Will Play a Part in the Odyssey?
• Were Adam and Eve Influenced by the Snake or Free Will?
• What’s the Problem With Free Will?
• Is the Theory of Evolution a Good Basis for an Argument Against Free Will?
• Why Did God Give Us Free Will?
• For Whom Does Determinism Undermine Moral Responsibility?
• How Does Shakespeare Present Macbeth as Having Free Will?
• What Is the Difference Between Free-Will and Randomness and or Non-determinism?
• Does Having Free Will Presuppose Consciousness, Can Philosophical Zombies Have It?
• What Are the Necessary Conditions for an Action to Be Regarded as a Free Choice?
• Is Free Will Reconcilable With a Purely Physical World?
• How Does Quantum Mechanics Affect the Modern Account of Free Will and Determinism?
• What Counters Are There to Spinoza’s Argument That Acts of Free Will Create Infinite Regress?
• Is Kant’s “Noumenal Self” Argument on Freedom Flawed?
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Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Macbeth — Macbeth Fate Vs Free Will Analysis

Macbeth Fate Vs Free Will Analysis

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Published: Mar 5, 2024

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Fate vs free will in macbeth.

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Shakespeare’s “Macbeth,” written in the early 17th century, stands as a timeless masterpiece that delves into the profound and often debated theme of fate in Macbeth and topic of free will. Set in medieval Scotland, the play tells the story of Macbeth, a nobleman whose life takes a dark turn following a prophecy by three witches. This prophecy, coupled with his ambition and the persuasive influence of his wife, Lady Macbeth, sets him on a tragic path of murder, guilt, and paranoia. Shakespeare weaves a complex narrative where supernatural elements – such as the prophecy of the Weird Sisters – intersect with the human actions and decisions of Macbeth and other characters. This interplay raises poignant questions about whether our lives are governed by destiny, or whether we have the autonomy to shape our own paths.

In this essay, we will explore in detail how Shakespeare portrays the themes of fate vs free will Macbeth. We will dissect key scenes that serve as turning points in the narrative, highlighting how these moments underscore the tension between predetermined destiny and individual choice. We will also analyze the roles of pivotal characters, such as Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, and Banquo, examining how their responses to the prophecies reflect their perspectives on fate and free will. Furthermore, this exploration will extend to understanding how these themes not only drive the plot forward but also profoundly impact the development and ultimate fate of the characters.

Through this analysis, we aim to gain a deeper understanding of how “Macbeth” navigates the intricate dance between fate and free will, offering insights into the broader implications of these themes in human life. This exploration will reveal the timeless relevance of Shakespeare’s work and its enduring ability to engage audiences in a reflection on some of life’s most fundamental questions.

Portrayal of Fate and Free Will

From the outset, “Macbeth” positions fate as a powerful force, primarily represented through the Weird Sisters. Their prophetic declarations to Macbeth and Banquo introduce the idea of a predetermined future, suggesting that fate has a role in shaping events. However, Shakespeare does not present fate as a singular, deterministic force. Instead, he weaves in the element of free will, embodied in Macbeth’s and Lady Macbeth’s decisions and actions. The characters’ responses to the prophecies are crucial, highlighting that while fate may propose a path, it is human action that ultimately forges the journey.

The Influence of Fate and Free Will on the Plot and Characters

The intricate dance of fate in Macbeth and free will depicted by Shakespeer in his play goes beyond mere thematic exploration; it is the very engine that propels the narrative and shapes its characters. The witches’ prophecies, cryptic and foreboding, set in motion the gears of the plot, foretelling Macbeth’s rise to power. However, it is not fate alone that guides the course of events; rather, it is the response of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth to these prophecies that truly steers the story. Their decisions, driven by ambition and a lust for power, are acts of free will that catalyze the tragic unfolding of events.

Macbeth’s transformation from a loyal and honorable nobleman to a tyrannical ruler encapsulates the complex interplay of fate and choice. His initial reluctance to act on the witches’ prophecy is swiftly overcome by his and his wife’s deliberate and conscious decisions to murder King Duncan. This pivotal act of regicide is a clear exercise of free will, a deliberate step that aligns with the fated kingship but at a terrible moral cost. The subsequent reign of Macbeth is marked by increasing paranoia and tyrannical behavior, suggesting that once the natural order is disrupted by free will, chaos and guilt become inevitable companions.

Lady Macbeth, equally complicit in the unraveling of their fated fortunes, exhibits the psychological turmoil of their choices. Her initial steely resolve and manipulation of Macbeth to commit the murder gradually give way to guilt and madness. Her descent into insanity, culminating in her tragic death, is a stark representation of the psychological burden of exercising free will against ethical principles.

The play also delves into the futility of trying to manipulate or escape one’s destiny. Macbeth’s murder of Banquo, prompted by the fear of losing his power, is a futile attempt to challenge fate. Banquo’s ghost at the banquet is a haunting reminder that one cannot easily evade the consequences of their actions, even if they are predestined. Furthermore, Macbeth’s attempt to thwart the prophecy concerning Macduff leads to the massacre of Macduff’s family, a horrific act that only hastens Macbeth’s downfall. This sequence of events underscores the destructive nature of attempting to control or divert fate through morally reprehensible actions.

In a broader sense, “Macbeth” is a profound commentary on the human condition, grappling with the eternal questions of destiny and agency. The characters, especially Macbeth and Lady Macbeth become embodiments of the struggle between predetermined paths and the choices that individuals make and we will dive into that below. 

Generally speaking, through “Macbeth,” Shakespeare masterfully illustrates that while fate may lay the groundwork, it is ultimately free will and personal choice that shape our lives, often with irreversible and tragic consequences.

Key Scenes in the Depiction of Fate and Free Will

Several scenes in “Macbeth” are pivotal to understanding the interplay of fate and free will. The opening scene, where the Weird Sisters reveal their prophecies, sets the stage for this dynamic. Here, fate presents itself, yet it is Macbeth’s reaction to the prophecy of becoming king that sparks the chain of events leading to his ascent and downfall.

Another crucial scene is Macbeth’s soliloquy in Act 1, Scene 7, where he contemplates the moral implications of murdering King Duncan. This moment of introspection underscores the role of personal choice, indicating that despite the prophecy, Macbeth has the agency to make his own decisions.

Furthermore, the banquet scene in Act 3, where Macbeth sees Banquo’s ghost, is significant in the context of free will. Macbeth’s guilt manifests as a hallucination, a result of his conscious choice to murder. This scene illustrates the internal conflict and the psychological repercussions of exercising free will against moral judgment.

Characters Caught in the Conflict of Fate and Free Will

In the narrative of “Macbeth,” characters are continually caught in the crossfire between fate vs free will in Macbeth, each responding uniquely to this conflict. Macbeth, the central figure of the play, epitomizes this struggle. Initially portrayed as a brave and noble soldier, Macbeth’s encounter with the Weird Sisters ignites a latent ambition within him. Their prophecy plants a seed of future possibilities in his mind:

“All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!” . (Act 1, Scene 3)

Yet, it is not fate alone that seals Macbeth’s destiny. His own decisions, significantly influenced by Lady Macbeth’s persuasive words propel him down a dark path,

“Art not without ambition, but without the illness should attend it” . (Act 1, Scene 5)

His exercise of free will, choosing to murder King Duncan, marks the beginning of his moral decline and paves the way to his tragic end. Macbeth’s journey thus becomes a cautionary tale about the perils of letting unchecked ambition and manipulable free will override ethical judgment.

Lady Macbeth, a pivotal character in this thematic exploration, undergoes a dramatic transformation. Initially, she emerges as a powerful figure, inciting Macbeth to seize his destiny. Her next famous lines reflect her manipulative nature and determination

“Look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under’t” . (Act 1, Scene 5)

However, as the play progresses, the weight of their choices begins to haunt her. The psychological burden of their free-willed actions manifests in her descent into madness, symbolized by her obsessive hand-washing and her lamentation,

“Out, damned spot! Out, I say!” (Act 5, Scene 1)

Her tragic fate illustrates the profound psychological cost of aggressively pursuing a destiny that requires moral compromise.

In contrast, Banquo serves as a moral foil to Macbeth. He too hears the witches’ prophecies, including the promise of a royal lineage,

“Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none” . (Act 1, Scene 3)

However, Banquo’s reaction is markedly different. He chooses a more passive stance, allowing fate to take its course without resorting to manipulation or violence. This approach sets him apart from Macbeth, underscoring the play’s exploration of free will versus predestined fate. Banquo’s character challenges the notion that one must actively shape destiny, suggesting that ethical integrity and a hands-off approach to fate can coexist.

Through these characters, Shakespeare intricately weaves a narrative that not only entertains but also provokes deep contemplation about the forces of fate and the power of personal choice. Each character’s journey through this thematic landscape adds layers of complexity to the play’s exploration of these timeless concepts.

In conclusion, “Macbeth” presents a nuanced exploration of fate and free will, suggesting that while our lives may be influenced by predetermined paths, it is our actions and choices that ultimately define our journey. Shakespeare uses Macbeth’s tragic story to illustrate the complexity of these concepts and their profound impact on human behavior and psychology. The interplay of fate and free will in “Macbeth” not only drives the plot but also serves as a timeless reflection on the human condition, reminding us of the power of personal choice in shaping our destinies.

How is fate and free will presented in Macbeth essay?

In the play “Macbeth,” Shakespeare intertwines the concepts of fate and free will to explore the consequences of human actions. Fate is presented through the prophecies of the Weird Sisters, which seem to set Macbeth on a path of inevitable downfall. However, the play also delves deeply into the concept of free will. Macbeth’s actions, driven by ambition and spurred by Lady Macbeth, show a conscious choice to follow a path of treachery and murder. This blend of fate and free will suggests that while destiny might lay out certain paths, individuals still have the power to make choices that impact their outcomes.

How does fate compare to free will in Macbeth Act 2?

In Act 2 of “Macbeth,” the tension between fate and free will becomes more pronounced. The act begins with Macbeth contemplating the murder of King Duncan, wrestling with his conscience and the moral repercussions of his intended actions. Despite the prophecies that imply his rise to power, it’s Macbeth’s free will that ultimately drives him to commit regicide. This act exemplifies the struggle between the destined kingship suggested by the witches and Macbeth’s own agency in bringing about his rise and subsequent fall. The act underscores that while fate might provide a framework, free will allows individuals to choose their paths, albeit with potentially tragic consequences.

What is the view of fate in Macbeth?

In “Macbeth,” fate is viewed as a mysterious and inescapable force that predetermines certain events in life. The Weird Sisters symbolize this force, delivering prophecies that foretell Macbeth’s future, including his ascent to the throne. These prophecies set the stage for the play’s events, creating an atmosphere where Macbeth’s fate seems predetermined. However, Shakespeare subtly suggests that while fate may lay out certain paths, it does not absolve individuals from the consequences of their actions, nor does it eliminate the role of personal choice. Thus, the view of fate in “Macbeth” is complex, serving as a catalyst for action while still leaving room for personal agency and moral responsibility.

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Romeo and Juliet: Fate or Free Will?

This essay will discuss the themes of fate and free will in Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet.” It will analyze how these themes influence the characters’ actions and the play’s tragic outcome. PapersOwl offers a variety of free essay examples on the topic of Free Will.

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The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet has two very prevalent themes. One can cease that the two apposite themes are free will and fate. Within the script of this beloved play, Shakespeare displays a mixed notion of the actual theme which could lead to the assumption that either theme can be lectured. The denotative meaning of fate being ... events beyond a person's control and free will meaning power of acting without the constraint of necessity or fate both can be informed as the plausible theme. Need a custom essay on the same topic? Give us your paper requirements, choose a writer and we’ll deliver the highest-quality essay! Order now

Free Will in Romeo and Juliet

Romeo and Juliet, two of the main characters, construct decisions together out of free will and personal choice. When Romeo and Juliet make secret wedding arrangements, they do this with full sovereignty of their actions. For instance, the Juliet claims, Thy purpose marriage, send me word tomorrow And all of my fortunes at thy foot I'll lay which shows that Juliet is willing to jeopardize everything to marry Romeo. These preposterous, quick decisions lead to the downfall of the pair which included Juliet threatened disownment by her parents, and the ultimate death of both Romeo and Juliet. Though tribulations were aroused by the bad decisions made by the couple, some instances were brought upon them by pure fate.

Within the play, the characters encounter situations that are inevitable and fueled in spite of fate. The strongest evidence of fate is when Romeo meets Juliet at the Capulet party. Romeo's predominant intention was to meet his current infatuation, Rosaline, but instead he landed his eyes on Juliet, and instantly had a change in mind and fell in love with Juliet. Romeo recites in act one scene five, Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight! For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night, which demonstrates Romeo instantaneously being struck by Cupid's bow as soon as he saw Juliet. Fate plays substantial role in this incident because Romeo had no idea that he would meet Juliet. Throughout the play, Shakespeare is sure to write on few occurrences how juvenile Romeo and Juliet were which could play part in some adrenaline fueled instances.

In 2011, scientist came upon the conclusion that adolescents react in ludicrous and impetuous ways rather than adults due to developmental stages. Certain areas of the human brain develop well into adulthood which is why teens and adults may react contrastingly to certain situations. According to the research, Pictures of the brain in action show that adolescents' brains function differently than adults their actions are more guided more by the amygdala and less by the frontal cortex, which the author of this report earlier explains that the amygdala is accountable for instinctual reactions of aggression and trepidation, but on the other hand, the frontal cortex is a later developed section that sways cogent thinking. Using these scientific findings, one could connect Romeo killing Tybalt as a spontaneous reaction to Tybalt killing his close friend Mercutio.

The two rife themes of The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet are very strong, viable themes. As well as the scientific research that could also assist why the young characters acted out more than the older characters. Though when collectively putting the evidence in thought, many instances, whether it be fate or free will, defied against the fierce feelings of the star-crossed lovers. Ultimately leading to the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet.

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Oedipus Rex

The ancient Greeks believed that their gods could see the future, and that certain people could access this information. Prophets or seers, like blind Tiresias , saw visions of things to come. Oracles, priests who resided at the temples of gods—such as the oracle to Apollo at Delphi—were also believed to be able to interpret the gods' visions and give prophecies to people who sought to know the future. During the fifth century B.C.E., however, when Sophocles was writing his plays, intellectuals within Athenian society had begun to question the legitimacy of the oracles and of the traditional gods. Some of this tension is plain to see in Oedipus Rex , which hinges on two prophecies. The first is the prophecy received by King Laius of Thebes that he would have a son by Queen Jocasta who would grow up to kill his own father. The second is the prophecy that Oedipus received that he would kill his father and marry his mother. Laius, Jocasta, and Oedipus all work to prevent the prophecies from coming to pass, but their efforts to thwart the prophecies are what actually bring the prophecies to completion.

This raises a question at the heart of the play: does Oedipus have any choice in the matter? He ends up killing his father and marrying his mother without knowing it—in fact, when he is trying to avoid doing these very things. Does he have free will—the ability to choose his own path—or is everything in life predetermined? Jocasta argues that the oracles are a sham because she thinks the prediction that her son would kill her husband never came to pass. When she finds out otherwise, she kills herself. In Oedipus Rex , Oedipus has fulfilled his terrible prophecy long ago, but without knowing it. He has already fallen into his fate. One could argue that he does have free will, however, in his decision to pursue the facts about his past, despite many suggestions that he let it go. In this argument, Oedipus's destruction comes not from his deeds themselves but from his persistent efforts to learn the truth, through which he reveals the true nature of those terrible deeds. Oedipus himself makes a different argument at the end of the play, when he says that his terrible deeds were fated, but that it was he alone who chose to blind himself. Here, Oedipus is arguing that while it is impossible to avoid one's fate, how you respond to your fate is a matter of free will.

Fate vs. Free Will ThemeTracker

Fate vs. Free Will Quotes in Oedipus Rex

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