Macbeth outline

I. Since listening to enticing prophecies led Macbeth to choose the wrong path, he should
have followed his own beliefs and values when deciding his fate.

II. The allurement of a good fortune telling caused Macbeth to make decisions he
wouldn’t have normally made.
1. When the witches told Macbeth he “shalt be king here after” (1.3.50) he
became hooked on the possibility.
A. Macbeth was suddenly excited by the thought of being king. The
thought controlled him and led him to choose the wrong path. He didn’t have thoughts of
killing the king prior to the witches’ prophecy.
2. After Macbeth realizes that being king required the termination of the current
king Duncan, he returns to his chamber having “done the deed” (2.2.14).
A. Macbeth’s obsession with being king overpowers his values and
conscience. His presence at the throne was just one step closer to actuality and that
thought led him to continue his quest. Although he commits the crime he continues to
grow in constant fear leading to his demise.

III. Macbeth’s attraction to the knowledge of his future caused him to be dependent on
news that never even happened.
.
1. The witches tease Macbeth by offering him compelling prophecies they know
he will relish. They then trick him by gaining his dependence on their prophecies all the
while planning to “spend unto a dismal and fatal end” (3.5.21) the life of Macbeth.
A. Macbeth was so excited on the thought of being king that he listened to
an unreliable source. He became so dependent on the witches prophecies that he would
murder anyone who the witches said were in his way to the throne. He soon began
reassuring himself he would be fine because of the witches’ prophecies. He relied more
on the prophecies than human logic and understanding.
2. Macbeth becomes dependent on the witches and when they give him bad news
he curses them saying, “I will be satisfied. Deny me this, and an external curse will fall
on you!” (4.1.105).
A. Macbeth becomes desperate and tries to sustain any chance of him
being king. He curses the witches and continues to remind himself it will still happen.
The prophecy is all Macbeth has left and if that goes, all chance of his kingship
diminishes.

IV. You and you alone are the soul operator of your own fate. Macbeth let his actions,
which were caused by the witches’ prophecy, decide his fate for him. He gave into the
temptations of being king and paid his life to try and reach that title. The absence of
moral values and wisdom in his choices became the path he took, and in the end, his
demise.
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Macbeth’s attraction to the knowledge of his future caused him to be dependent

on news that never even happened. The witches tease Macbeth by offering him

compelling prophecies they know he will relish. They then trick him by gaining his

dependence on their prophecies all the while planning to “spend unto a dismal and fatal

end” (3.5.21) the life of Macbeth. Macbeth was so excited on the thought of being king

that he listened to an unreliable source. He became so dependent on the witches

prophecies that he would murder anyone who the witches said were in his way to the

throne. He soon began reassuring himself he would be fine because of the witches’

prophecies. He relied more on the prophecies than human logic and understanding. His

increasing vulnerability makes him more bitter and helpless as he tries to keep hope in his

efforts toward the throne. Macbeth becomes even more dependent on the witches and

when they give him bad news he curses them saying, “I will be satisfied. Deny me this,

and an external curse will fall on you!” (4.1.105). Macbeth has reached his lowest form

of desperation and tries to sustain any chance of him still being king. He curses the

witches and continues to remind himself the prophecy will live on. The prophecy is all

Macbeth has left and if that goes, all chance of his kingship diminishes.