THE PROBLEM OF HUMAN FATE AND PSYCHOLOGY IN WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE`S WORKS
Keywords:
William Shakespeare; fate; free will; human psychology; tragedy; destiny; internal conflict; ambition; moral choice; Elizabethan worldview.Abstract
This article explores the complex relationship between human fate and psychology in William Shakespeare’s works. It analyzes how Shakespeare interweaves the concepts of destiny, free will, and human emotion to portray the inner conflicts of his characters. By examining key tragedies such as Macbeth, Hamlet, Othello, and Romeo and Juliet, the study reveals how external forces—such as fate, prophecy, and fortune—interact with internal drives like ambition, guilt, jealousy, and desire. Shakespeare’s genius lies in his ability to depict human beings as both shaped by destiny and responsible for their own downfall. His characters are not passive victims of fate but conscious agents whose psychological weaknesses determine their tragic ends. The paper also highlights the influence of Elizabethan beliefs in astrology and predestination, contrasting them with Shakespeare’s humanistic vision. Ultimately, the study concludes that Shakespeare’s portrayal of fate and psychology presents a timeless exploration of the human condition, where the boundaries between destiny and choice remain profoundly intertwined.
