Final answer:
Macbeth's active steps to fulfill the witches' prophecy in 'Macbeth' demonstrates his exercise of free will, which blurs the line between destiny and autonomy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The witches in Macbeth dramatically influence the play's theme of fate versus free will. The thesis statement to consider would be: "Macbeth exercises his free will to attain the goal suggested by the witches' prophecy, which ultimately blurs the line between destiny and autonomy." This choice emphasizes free will over fate, as Macbeth takes active steps to fulfill the prophecy, rather than letting fate unfold naturally.
An example supporting this thesis can be seen when Macbeth contemplates murdering King Duncan. Despite feeling compelled by the prophecy, it is his own decision to take action. This clearly shows that while the witches may have prophesied his rise to power, it is Macbeth's own choices that bring it to fruition, suggesting that his downfall is a result of free will clashing with perceived destiny. The witches, through their prophecies, provoke Macbeth's ambition but it is his own free will that ultimately dictates his actions and seals his tragic end.