Students often send me stuff to mark - why not, right? Sometimes I have time. If it is something I think lots of students will learn from, I accept and publish it here.
You’ll learn most if you try to mark it - I hope I am using polls in a creative way which you will enjoy, and also learn from.
The Essay
In Shakespeare's "Macbeth," the theme of fate plays a pivotal role in shaping the tragic trajectory of the characters. The play opens with the three witches chanting, "Fair is foul, and foul is fair," setting the ominous tone and suggesting that the boundaries between good and evil, as well as fate and free will, are blurred. The witches' prophecies, particularly those given to Macbeth and Banquo, serve as the catalyst for the unfolding tragedy.
Macbeth's encounter with the witches fuels his ambition and triggers a chain of events that ultimately lead to his downfall. The prophecy that he will become king sparks the seeds of avarice within him, and the notion of fate becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy as Macbeth becomes increasingly consumed by the desire for power. The language employed by the witches, such as "All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!" foreshadows Macbeth's rise to power but also raises questions about whether fate predetermined his actions or if he had the agency to resist his tragic fate.
Lady Macbeth, too, grapples with the theme of fate. Her famous soliloquy, "The raven himself is hoarse / That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan / Under my battlements," reveals her awareness of the inevitable consequences of Macbeth's ascension to the throne.
Mr Salles: This feels like classic ChatGPT. A big statement, which sounds very academic. But, you then need to prove it, not skip on to another subject.
However, her determination to accelerate this fate through manipulation and coercion exposes the characters' agency in shaping their destinies. Lady Macbeth's ambition, combined with Macbeth's vulnerability to suggestion, demonstrates how the characters actively contribute to their own tragic outcomes.
Mr Salles: Yeah, as above. Prove it. Give examples. There are no marks for fancy ideas and language unless they are based on evidence.
The character of Banquo, in contrast, reacts differently to the witches' prophecies. Despite receiving prophecies that his descendants will inherit the throne, Banquo remains cautious and skeptical. His caution is reflected in his lines, "But ’tis strange; / And oftentimes, to win us to our harm, / The instruments of darkness tell us truths." Banquo's skepticism highlights the ambiguity surrounding fate in the play. While the prophecies are accurate, the characters' responses to them differ, emphasizing the role of individual choices in shaping their destinies.
The motif of fate is further underscored by the recurring theme of blood. Macbeth's hands are stained with the blood of Duncan, symbolizing the irreversible consequences of his actions. The recurring imagery of blood reflects the characters' inability to escape the inescapable fate they have set in motion. The famous sleepwalking scene with Lady Macbeth, where she desperately attempts to cleanse her hands of imaginary bloodstains, serves as a haunting reminder of the characters' guilt and the inescapability of their fates.
In conclusion, fate in "Macbeth" is a complex interplay between preordained destiny and individual agency. The witches' prophecies serve as a catalyst, but the characters' choices and actions determine the tragic outcomes. The motif of blood reinforces the idea that once set on a path, the characters are bound by their choices. Shakespeare's exploration of fate in "Macbeth" serves as a timeless examination of the human condition, prompting reflection on the delicate balance between destiny and free will.
Mr Salles: Yeah, I’m 100% all in now, this is a classic ChatGPT conclusion. But, is it any good?
It doesn’t do the main thing a conclusion should do, which is say what Shakespeare’s ideas are. Instead it is a fence sitting exercise - a complex interplay simply means I refuse to decide.
Never do that. Always decide. The whole essay needs to be an argument which you set out to prove.
If you aren’t putting forward an argument you believe in, then what is the point. As my head of house used to say, “that child is just a waste of good skin”.
You can’t say this anymore! But, get some skin in the game. Don’t waste it.
However, it does reference ‘the human condition’ which the examiners totally love. Perhaps they expect no more than ChatGPT - after all, a lot of it will fit the mark scheme. So what do you give it?
But overall what would it be out of 30 ?