Macbeth and Paulina: Fate, Free Will, and the Pursuit of Peace
Macbeth: Fate and Free Will in Shakespeare’s Tragedy
The Influence of the Witches’ Prophecies
In Shakespeare’s Macbeth, the witches’ prophecies are presented as truths that may also be what Macbeth needs to hear to fulfill his destiny. These prophecies serve as a tool to manipulate Macbeth, ultimately placing his fate in his own hands. He believes in the prophecies but is uncertain if they will come to pass without his intervention. After all, the witches never specify how he will become king. When Duncan names his son Malcolm as the heir to the throne, Macbeth makes a crucial decision that sets him on the path to fulfilling his fate.
Lady Macbeth also significantly influences his decisions, indirectly affecting his psychological state. The witches’ prophecy, “All hail Macbeth, that shalt be King hereafter,” fuels his ambition.
The Dagger Scene: A Hallucination or a Sign?
Macbeth’s famous soliloquy, “Is that a dagger which I see before me, the handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee. I have thee not, and yet I see thee still. Art thou not, fatal vision, sensible to feeling as to sight?” highlights his internal turmoil and foreshadows the violence to come.
Paulina’s Struggle for Peace in Death and the Maiden
A Desire for Freedom and the Weight of the Past
In Ariel Dorfman’s Death and the Maiden, Paulina’s destiny is undetermined, but her desire is clear: she yearns for freedom and peace. While she has the agency to shape her life, her own mind prevents her from achieving tranquility. She is trapped by her past, unable to let go of the trauma she endured.
Confronting Her Abuser: A Chance for Catharsis?
When Paulina has Roberto Miranda tied to a chair and points a gun at him, she seemingly holds her destiny in her hands. The opportunity to kill the man she believes is responsible for her abuse is within her grasp. However, she is unsure if taking his life will truly bring her peace.
The Government’s Amnesty and Paulina’s Quest for Justice
The government’s decision to grant amnesty further complicates Paulina’s destiny. This solution prevents the investigation of past crimes, urging the country to move forward. Gerardo, her husband, represents the commission and wants Paulina to forget her past. However, her destiny seems intertwined with seeking revenge for the abuse she suffered. Gerardo’s attempts to control her decisions limit her agency until she empowers herself by obtaining a gun.
The Search for Truth and the Burden of Doubt
Paulina firmly believes that Roberto is her abuser, but there is no concrete evidence to support her claims. To find peace, she wants Roberto to confess, which would also validate her sanity in the eyes of others. Achieving peace is within her control, but her mind is blocked, preventing her from living fully. She has spent the last 15 years consumed by the trauma of her past, unable to move on.
Gerardo’s Perspective: A Plea for a New Beginning
Gerardo expresses his frustration with Paulina’s inability to move on: “You’re still a prisoner, you stayed there behind with them, locked in that basement. For fifteen years you’ve done nothing with your life. Not a thing. Look at you, just when we’ve got the chance to start all over again and you begin to open all the wounds…”
Paulina’s Resolve: The Unforgettable Voice of Trauma
Paulina responds, highlighting the enduring impact of her trauma: “It may be a teensy-weensy thing, but it’s enough for me. During all these years not an hour has passed that I haven’t heard it, that same voice, next to me, next to my ear, that voice mixed with saliva, you think I’d forget a voice like his?”
Paulina’s Final Statement
“I could not live in peace with myself and let you live.”