Final answer:
Shakespeare's tragedies explore the tension between fate and free will, with characters' tragic flaws and choices leading to their downfalls, despite the presence of fate in the form of prophecies and supernatural elements.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Shakespeare's tragedies, characters often seem to be at the mercy of fate; however, their own choices and flaws (hamartia) contribute significantly to their downfalls. While fate in the form of prophecies or supernatural elements appears to set the stage, it is the characters' actions in response to these prophecies and elements that propel the story forward.
For instance, in Macbeth, it is Macbeth's ambition, stirred by the witches' prophecies, that leads to his tragic end. Similarly, in Romeo and Juliet, fate seems to conspire against the lovers through a series of unfortunate events, but it is also their impulsive decisions that lead to the tragic conclusion.
The concept of a predetermined destiny versus free will is explored in these plays, and while fate might set the groundwork, it is ultimately the characters' choices, stemming from their tragic flaws, that seal their fates. The consequences of their decisions are what bring about the tragic outcomes that define Shakespeare's plays.