Final Answer:
Thesis Statement A: In Shakespeare's "Macbeth," the witches symbolize fate as they serve as harbingers of the predetermined outcomes, manipulating circumstances to align with their prophecies. They introduce the idea of destiny, influencing Macbeth's actions and ultimately shaping the tragic events in the play. For instance, the witches' prophecies about Macbeth becoming king initiate his ambition and drive his actions, leading to his downfall as he tries to defy fate.
Thesis Statement B: Conversely, the witches in "Macbeth" represent free will, acting as catalysts rather than determiners of the events. While their prophecies influence Macbeth and others, the characters still have agency in their decisions. Macbeth actively chooses to act on the prophecies, displaying his free will by embracing the dark path to power. Therefore, the witches merely present possibilities, leaving the characters to exercise their free will in accepting or rejecting these predictions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Thesis Statement A defends the perspective that the witches symbolize fate in "Macbeth." It highlights their role as agents of destiny by introducing prophecies that set the course of events in motion. These prophecies heavily influence Macbeth's actions and decisions, leading him down a tragic path. Examples supporting this thesis include the witches' initial prophecies about Macbeth becoming Thane of Cawdor and then king, which fuel his ambition and drive his actions toward fulfilling these prophecies, ultimately resulting in his downfall.
Thesis Statement B argues the opposite viewpoint, suggesting that the witches represent free will in the play. It emphasizes that while the witches' prophecies influence the characters, the ultimate choices and actions remain in the characters' hands. Macbeth exercises his free will in embracing the prophecies and taking the steps to make them a reality. This perspective focuses on how the characters respond to the predictions, suggesting that the witches' influence doesn't determine the outcomes but rather sparks the characters' decisions.