Similarities Between Macbeth And The Great Gatsby

Baraa Najar Miss Sarwa Ali ENG2D May 16th,2024 Ambition, when left unchecked, often leads individuals down an unfaithful path of self-destruction and moral decay. This theme is prominently explored in both F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby and William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, where the protagonists, Jay Gatsby and Macbeth, embody a shared path. Marked by relentless ambition for their desires, prevalent deception, and inevitable tragic downfall, these characters profoundly illustrate how uncontrollable aspirations can lead to self-destruction, highlighting the destructive nature of human flaws. Relentless ambition drives both Jay Gatsby and Macbeth to pursue their goals at any cost, ultimately leading to their downfall. Gatsby’s ambition is evident in his unwavering pursuit of

Their relentless ambition, devoid of ethical considerations, sets the stage for their eventual downfall, illustrating the addictive and destructive nature of such pursuits. Deception plays a crucial role in both Gatsby and Macbeth’s journeys, as they knit complex lies to attain their ambitions. Gatsby constructs an elaborate persona and fabricates stories about his past to gain social status and win Daisy's love. He tells Nick Carraway and others fanciful tales of being an Oxford man and inheriting his wealth, creating an image of a sophisticated and accomplished man. Nick notes Gatsby’s deceptive nature, describing him as someone who had “an extraordinary gift for hope, a romantic readiness such as I have never found in any other person” (Fitzgerald, p. 6). Gatsby’s deception extends to his illegal activities, including bootlegging, which he uses to finance his extravagant lifestyle and maintain his façade. Macbeth, on the other hand, uses deceit to hide his brutal actions and maintain his