Macbeth's Spotify Recommendations

Macbeth, because you decided to succumb to the supernatural, we recommend listening to:

1. I’ll make a man out of you by Donny Osmond
1. This song, from the movie Mulan, is used during the training montage in the movie. In the song, Captain Li Shang explains that in order for his recruits to become true men, they had to learn how to fight. Having to do something in order to prove masculinity can be seen in Macbeth as well. When Macbeth and his wife were contemplating murdering King Duncan, his wife managed to convince him to follow through with the plan by downplaying his masculinity and bravery. In order to prove his masculinity, Macbeth had to follow through with the plan and kill Duncan.
2. Animal I have become by Three Days Grace
1. The song was written by Adam Gontier, the guitarist from Three Days Grace, and is about his addiction to painkillers which caused him to become very abusive and aggressive. It got to the point that he didn’t recognize anymore hence the name of the song, “Animal I have Become”. In the play, instead of being addicted to painkillers, Macbeth was addicted to his ambition for power. He did everything in order to become king and made decisions that he never thought he would have made, such as assassinating Duncan and sending assassins to kill Banquo. His ambition caused him to go insane, and when he finally got the power he seeked, he became a ruthless tyrant. Due to his ambition, Macbeth lost sight of his true self and became a force of evil and fear.
3. Power by Kanye West
1. The song was essentially Kanye’s comeback track which was released after the events that occurred between him and Taylor Swift. The song shows how he is back in control and essentially feels like a king. He doesn’t care about anything the haters have to say to him and he claims that he is the one that has all the power. This song can represent how Macbeth felt after talking with the apparitions, especially after being told that no one born of woman can kill him. Macbeth felt extremely self-confident and powerful since he considered himself undefeatable. He didn’t pay attention to his haters since he believed that everyone was born from woman, therefore, no one could best him.
4. The Prophet's Song by Queen
1. The song is about a prophecy, given by a wise man, warning the people about a incoming flood, AKA the Biblical Great Flood. The song claims that the earth will shake and the earth will break and that the people have to run away from the rain and flee for their lives. This song is supports the belief in the play that prophecies are inescapable. The prophecy given to Macbeth by the witches was no exception to this roll and no matter what Macbeth did, the prophecy was bound to become true. The song even stated the due to the prophecy, there was “death all around” which is 100% seen in Macbeth from all the assassinations and the war provoked from Macbeth’s kingship.

Fate or Chance?

Distinguishing the difference between fate and chance is impossible. They are just two different interpretations of how we live. I view life's events as occurring by chance. This ideology motivates me to do good and allows me to believe that my decisions matter. Also, to me, believing that life is controlled by fate makes life seem like a prison. By believing in chance, one has the illusion of freedom and choice; you can do something because you want to do it, not because you are forced too. I believe that he concept of fate destroys motivation do do anything. Why try when things are bound to occur? I like the idea of creating my own future instead of being a pawn of the future.

Also, I feel that the concept of fate is too unstable. What if someone's fate relying on someone else but that person somehow changes their fate? What would be the result of someone going against their fate? If life was controlled by fate, I believe that a small change would cause a giant domino effect causing the end of everything. I view a life controlled by fate as a giant machine; if one of its cogs fail to work, the whole thing stops working. The only way to ensure that this doesn't occur is by destroying the concept of personal fate. Instead we would all be part of a collective fate to ensure that everyone does what they are supposed to. We would all be prisoners of the future, a chilling idea.

Based on the text, I believe that Shakespeare believes in a life controlled by fate and accepts it. This view is reflected in Macbeth most prominently in the weird sisters and their ability to make prophecies. Prophecies are glimpses into one's fate therefore it would be impossible to create on in a life dictated by choice. The play is based around the idea that a prophecy would always come true. This ideology is seen earlier in the play when Macbeth receives his title as Thane of Cawdor and is certain that he is going to become king. When Duncan is named as the next heir, the extent fate's control over one's life is revealed. In the play, Macbeth has to make multiple important decisions that could affect his destiny but it is fate who makes him choose the "correct" one. This is most notably seen when Macbeth is faced with the decision of murdering Duncan or not. He chooses to murder Duncan with the line: "For in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires; Let not light see my black and deep desires." Rhyming is present in this line meaning that Macbeth was under the influence of the supernatural. The witches told Macbeth his prophecy and in order to make it come true, fate took over and made the decision for him. The power of fate not only affects Macbeth, but it affects everyone as well. This global affect can be seen with the messages given to Macbeth by the apparitions: the first apparitions stated, "Beware the thane of fife," the second stated, "For none of woman born shall harm Macbeth,"and the third stated, "Macbeth shall never vanquished to be until Great Birnam wood to high Dunsinane Hill shall come against him." Foreshadowing of Macbeth's demise shows that the timeline of events is linear; everything is mapped out and there is no such thing as freedom of choice. What is destined to happen is going to happen and there is no escape.