Essay Comparing Macbeth And Selma

Both "Macbeth," a play written by William Shakespeare, and Selma, a film directed by Ava DuVernay, explore distinct narratives centered around different themes. Selma focuses on real-life historical events, highlighting the struggle for Black Americans' voting rights and how those in positions of authority use their power to harm innocent people without fearing consequences. Meanwhile, Macbeth portrays a fictional man pressured by his wife to murder his friends to seize and maintain power. Despite these narrative differences, both stories share an underlying theme of "abuse of power": those in power will resort to extreme measures to remain in control. In both Macbeth and Selma, individuals who attain power are driven to extreme measures to

The bell invites me to. Hear it not, Duncan, for it is a knell that summons thee to heaven or to hell” (Macbeth, 2.1.61-65). This soliloquy shows that Macbeth believes that merely threatening to kill the King is not enough; action is necessary to achieve his desired glory. Similarly, at the beginning of "Selma," when Martin Luther King advocated for Black People's voting rights to President Johnson, Johnson tells King, “It's a simple matter of political priorities” (Selma, 0:00:00-0:30:00), illustrating his reluctance. When King leaves the room, they consider what he discussed, immediately concluding that they should not let black people vote. This is because giving black people this right would lessen white supremacy, giving them more control and reducing the control of those in power. These events in Selma and Macbeth demonstrate that those in power seek more control and fear losing the power they hold. Furthermore, the perceived invincibility of those who hold power leads to reckless behavior. Macbeth and Selma demonstrate this, as Macbeth himself believes that he is safe from harm, as do the police and government in Selma. The second apparition tells Macbeth, “For none of the women born shall harm Macbeth” (Macbeth,