FATE

An age old question. The dictionary defines fate as "something that unavoidably befalls a person", the "decreed cause of events".

By this definition, fate cannot be changed. YOUR FATE cannot be changed. You can try changing it, but no matter what you do, the outcome will be the same. However, is fate really that unflexible?
Can fate be changed? If you know your fate, and take steps to prevent it, will your future be changed? Or is it fate's cruel design that your attempt to change your destiny, is in fact the catalyst that will ensure the fate you want to avoid happens.

In the play MacBeth, the title character, after hearing the witches' prophecy that he will become king one day, eventually kills the current king, believing that he has to take action to fulfill his fate. But he very well could have been king if he had not done anything, if he believed fate to be something unavoidable. Or has the prophecy been fulfilled, because of MacBeth's inner ambition and evil that compelled him to murder the king? MacBeth later on takes action to change fate, by attempting to kill Banquo and his son, as the witches have foretold that Banquo's descendents will be kings. MacBeth changes his view on fate again, later on in the play. He is put to ease after hearing the witches' prophecies that he need not fear any man borne of woman, and that he will only be defeated when Birnam Wood comes to Duinsinane Hill. This time, he chooses not to take any action to either fulfill or change destiny. He now views fate as unavoidable.

So what is fate? Is it a pre-determined event that is bound to happen? Or can a person change it? My fellow writers shall give their views