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1984 And Macbeth Comparison Essay

1064 Words5 Pages

William Shakespeare and George Orwell are two of the most iconic authors of all time. Although living in different conditions and time periods, both of their works show similarities in exploring human nature and defining humanity. Shakespeare’s Macbeth and Orwell’s 1984 both explore the human traits in different storylines and styles, but for a similar purpose. Not only do both pieces of literature deeply explore the themes of power and control, but also other aspects of human life such as fear and paranoia. By doing this in each author’s storyline, they connect with the values and beliefs of their readers.

Throughout human history, people have not only strived for, but thrived off of power. Both Shakespeare and Orwell explore the idea of power in their works through similar examples. Lady Macbeth and Macbeth both are hungry for power, and go to the extreme measure of assassinating the king in an attempt to become highly powerful figures. Similarly to this, in 1984, …show more content…

Throughout the story, Banquo serves as a loyal side character to Macbeth. This corresponds to 1984 with Winston’s relationship to Obrien, with Winston being the loyal ally to Obrien. Both authors use this relationship between the main protagonists and their side characters as a means of expressing the human nature of betrayal. Macbeth’s act of betrayal towards Banquo occurs when he calls for the assassination of him. This betrays the trust that Banquo has for Macbeth. Obrien betrays Winston by double-crossing him and working for the party. Both authors use betrayal as another way of showing control. Macbeth and Obrien both act the way they do so that they stay in control of the world. Macbeth kills Banquo as a way of eliminating anyone who could possibly see through his murder of King Duncan, and Obrien betrays Winston to stay loyal to the party, who control the population. Both authors use betrayal in a similar way to depict

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Macbeth at this time is blinded by greed as he kills his best friend in order to keep his political status. Macbeth and Banquo are connected spiritually because Banquo was with Macbeth as the three witches told him his prophecy. “All hail Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis! / All hail Macbeth!

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With Macbeth being a general in the Scottish military, he had major influences on people and their daily lives. After the murder of King Duncan, Banquo’s suspicion of who committed the murders arose around a single suspect, Macbeth. Knowing that Banquo most likely knew the truth that Macbeth killed King Duncan, Macbeth went back to his evil ways with ease. Through his attendant, Macbeth summons three murderers. Shakespeare introduces the murders with stage direction “[Re-enter Attendant, with two Murderers]” (Shakespeare, 363), in which Macbeth he uses Banquo as bait in order to gain their graces and loyalty “That it was he in the times past which held you so under fortune, which you thought had been our innocent self: this I made good to you in our last conference, pass'd in probation with you, how you were borne in hand, how cross'd, the instruments, who wrought with them, and all things else that might, so half a soul and to a notion crazed, Say 'Thus did Banquo.'”

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The Tragedy of Macbeth is a well known story that revolves around the word “ambition” but this ambition isn’t always self driven by someone, but rather through the influence of someone else who maintains control of the situation. The story is about a man whose desire to be the king and have power leads to the murders of those who might stand in his way. Throughout the story we see many characters who play major parts in how one event follows another, and how some characters seem to completely have control of the events in the story. Although in Macbeth the Three Sisters and Macbeth exhibit some control over the events, Lady Macbeth has the most responsibility.

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Many a literary critic claims that the strongest aspect of the book 1984 by George Orwell is its plot. Indeed, there is some merit in this conclusion, as the entire purpose of Orwell’s writing of this book was not to create a literary classic, but to warn the public about the dangers of communism if it got out of hand, and what better way to do this than to write an engaging plot? Others may claim that 1984’s greatest strength is in its character development. This aspect, too, is quite strong in the book, as not only are the minor characters effected in serving the dystopian theme, but the major characters are believable and very human in their failings. Winston’s transformation from an oppressed office worker to revolutionary and finally

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Human Degradation Comparison between 1984 and Macbeth The living conditions in Macbeth and 1984 similarly share tight foundations of which the ‘Government’ runs the society. In Macbeth, the original King was murdered and sequentially Macbeth became the new ruler. Under his leadership, the grip he had on Scotland was very firm and he sought to destroy all opposition to his rule. 1984 however saw the Party use unjust actions to lead their rule.

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In Orwell's 1984 and Shakespeare’s Macbeth, conflict is used as the driving force to demonstrate the theme that people in power often control others through violence. The abuse of power by Big Brother and Macbeth is portrayed in both texts through internal conflicts and conflicts between characters. As Winston struggles with his views, it is clear he desires everyone to be unorthodox like him, “I want everyone to be corrupt to the bones.” (Orwell 158). Winston’s comment depicts his internal conflict as he understands that he alone cannot change Oceania’s regimented society.

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Comparative Essay | 1984 and Macbeth | Question 1 In George Orwell’s 1984 and William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, human degradation can be seen but in slightly different ways to each other. Orwell connects with the values and beliefs of his readers by showing unjust social practices in the way of The Party. Shakespeare shows this when Macbeth is being degraded by the witches and Lady Macbeth. Orwell shows a large population being degraded whereas Shakespeare illustrates only one individual.

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His capricious and malicious acts prove how naive and vile he is as a person. Macbeth even attempts to kill Banquo to prevent any trace of his nature from making him, a “fruitless crown.” Macbeth states, “Must lave or honors in the flattering streams, and make our face vizards to our heart, disguising who we are,”(3.2.45). With such desperation, Macbeth is willing to include other people in his premeditated murder. By having Lady Macbeth be part of his plot to kill Banquo, Macbeth reveals two things about himself: That he does not value those around him, even if they are his loved ones, and that he places his personal success over all aspects of his life.

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In 1984, George Orwell allusion to Shakespeare is intentional. Shakespeare comprises on the complexities of feeling and the ambiguities that exist inside of the human quandary. Shakespeare composes of a world where there is finished disunity and a feeling of complexity in everything human. In 1984, it is not the same world of the Big Brother, there is less freedom and human achievements. Shakespeare depicts our current reality on which sad collisions build what it intends to be mankind.

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In George Orwell’s 1984, a future totalitarian government is presented to the audience with the heavy use of satire. This government serves two purposes: mocking Communism and demonstrating the effects of government control on its citizens and society. Through his ominous tone, Orwell satirizes the relationship between citizens and members of government authority. He portrays O’Brien as Winston’s friend, rather than his enemy.

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In 1949, a man predicted the domination of citizens by the totalitarian government and their custom of technologies to dictate the society. His name is George Orwell, a well-known British author, who wrote one of the most famous dystopian novels, 1984. The novel 1984 illustrates the totalitarian society and the life of Winston Smith, who works at the Ministry of truth and his humiliation by the party of the country, Oceania. George Orwell’s exaggeration and mockery of the totalitarian governments in the novel 1984 is now turning out to be one of the nightmare come true in our modern society.

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One of the themes of 1984 by George Orwell is how it represents living in a dictatorship. There are many troubles that come with living in a dictatorship. In the book, everyone is ruled by a dictator called Big Brother. No one knows if he is real or not, but he makes all of the rules. An example from the book about dictatorship is, “Nothing was your own except the few cubic centimeters inside your skull.

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Living through the first half of the twentieth century, George Orwell watched the rise of totalitarian regimes in Germany, Italy, Spain, and the Soviet Union. Fighting in Spain, he witnessed the brutalities of the fascists and Stalinists first hand. His experiences awakened him to the evils of a totalitarian government. In his novel 1984, Orwell paints a dark and pessimistic vision of the future where society is completely controlled by a totalitarian government. He uses symbolism and the character’s developments to show the nature of total power in a government and the extremes it will go through to retain that power by repressing individual freedom and the truth.

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Unlike Macbeth, Banquo, from the beginning of this encounter, continues to doubt the witches, “I’th’name of truth are ye fantastical, or that indeed which outwardly ye show?” (1.3.51-52) Banquo didn’t believe what the witches were saying, he questions their intentions and accuses them of raising Macbeth’s hope. Throughout this whole encounter, Banquo continues to protect Macbeth while staying loyal. He never once acted on his prophecies, he simply disregarded what the witches were saying and remained the noble man he is. Even to his death, Banquo has not once acted without honour and

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