Similarities Between Macbeth And 1984

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. Influences such as the thought police, Big Brother and even newspeak gave a message to the people that they are not to be questioned against. This grip on Scotland and Airstrip One gave the power to them to do anything they wanted, which lead to the disappearances of numerous people. Macbeth of course saw the murders of Banquo and Macduff’s family only because they were a threat to Macbeth’s rule, which ultimately raised suspicion against Macbeth himself. 1984 saw the disappearances of nearly anybody who acted in a way that today we almost take for granted. Thinking wrong, acting wrong and speaking wrong would see you dealt with by the Party.

In Macbeth, the King Macbeth treated people with great disrespect and looked at people as if they were merely obstacles in his way. 1984 saw the Party look at the society and treated them as if they were all a threat, installing measures such as Big Brother and the Thought Police. The King Macbeth ordered the deaths of numerous people such as Banquo and originally Duncan. However, in 1984, the Party ‘vaporized’ members of the outer party and the proles. The reader knows that in each title, every target of a killing was innocent. Either being suspicious to a person or simply thinking a thought was enough to get them