Brave New World And Hamlet Comparative Analysis

Throughout the world moral and spiritual corruption is found everywhere. Many fall victim to it but some use it as a learning experience. Both Aldous Huxley and William Shakespeare display the affect corruption has on societies through Brave New World and Hamlet. The want to be welcomed by others around drives characters towards decisions they would not make otherwise. Both authors, to show a lack of care and affection to those who need it incorporate pain and suffering. Spiritual corruption is displayed through Hamlet and John because both men struggle with their inner thoughts. In both pieces of literature, love is an instinct that is taken away by the views of society. Although both Huxley and Shakespeare show causes and effects
of corruption, Shakespeare allows Hamlet to use corruption as a lesson and see past the immorality of those around him.
In all societies people want to be accepted.
Bernard Marx, one of the protagonists in Brave New World, is an Alpha Plus who is considered an outcast because of his bad reputation. His views are different from most Alpha Plus’ around him; he is not like the majority of Alpha Plus’ and is penalized because of it. “They say he doesn’t like Obstacle Golf…He’s so ugly!...And then so small…They say somebody made a mistake when he was still in a bottle” (Huxley 50-51). Dealing with these comments pushes him to strive for his best, but is rejected by his peers. Much like Bernard Marx, Polonius is looking for the approval of Cladius and Hamlet. Although Hamlet constantly makes fun of Polonius, Polonius goes along with it. Hamlet tells Polonius “conception is a blessing, but as your daughter may conceive – friend, look to’t” (II, ii, 184-186). Polonius then responds with a remark to change the conversation: “What do you read, my lord?” (II, ii 191). Polonius is willing to do anything to please Hamlet and is more worried about what Hamlet thinks of him. Both Bernard and Polonius are outcasts but unlike Bernard, Polonius has no plan to stick up for
himself.

In today’s society, ones personal accomplishes come before others. Similar to this, the two pieces of literature contain characters that put their own personal desires before the common good of society. In Huxley’s Brave New World, many members of society show up at the lighthouse to encourage John’s self harm: “’We-want-the whip! We-want-the whip...’ And all of a sudden they had what they wanted” (Huxley 229). Unlike most, the society enjoys watching John harm himself and use it a source of entertainment. Similar to the society turning on John, everyone around Hamlet betrays him: “... That you vouchsafe your rest here in our court/ Some little time, so by your companies/ To draw him on to pleasures and to gather,/ So much as from occasion you may glean”(II, ii, 13-16). Claudius is concerned about Hamlet’s madness because he believes that the marriage he has with Hamlet’s mother is the cause of it. In his concern, he asks that everyone keep an eye on Hamlet because he feels guilty. Although this guilt makes him look sympathetic, he is truly putting his worries onto Hamlet. Therefore, both Hamlet and John are suffocated inside a greedy society, but Hamlet remains focused regardless of the barriers while John becomes distracted easily.

The human population is growing more depressed and suicide rates are on the rise. Likewise, in both Hamlet and Brave New World, John and Hamlet are both victims of suicidal thoughts. In Brave New World, John, arguably the protagonist, is the only suicidal character throughout the novel: “The moon was behind him; he looked down into the black shadow of the mesa, into the black shadow of death. He had only to take one step, one little jump....”(Huxley 127). John goes through a horrible childhood in which suicide has always been an option. Unfortunately as he grew older, the problems he carried from his past were built upon by the new ones and John was not able to handle anymore: “Slowly, very slowly, like two unhurried compass needles, the feet turned towards the right; north, north-east, east, south-east, south, south-south-west; then paused, and, after a few seconds, turned as unhurriedly back towards the left. South-south-west, south, south-east, east....” (Huxley 231). Huxley illustrates how every man or woman has a breaking point and societies corruptions can push oneself to do things due to subjective reasoning. Unlike John, Hamlet is not physically violent about his problems but still acknowledges them: “To be, or not to be, that is the question:/ Whether ‘tis nobler in the mind to suffer/ The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,/ Or to take arms against a sea of troubles/ And by opposing end them” (III, i, 56-60). Hamlet questions whether or not life itself is worth the struggles, where as John whips and eventually kills himself. Thus, John allows the corruption of the societies he lives in overcome him, whereas Hamlet uses the corruption as a lesson and becomes a stronger individual because of it.

Love is a factor in one’s life that can bring one happiness or great sorrow.
In the society of Brave New World, the emotion of love has become non-apparent. The citizens believe that “everyone belongs to everybody else”. John, a man raised at the savage reservation has many different views than others in society. He still believes in love, and that a man and a woman are meant to be together. When he meets Lenina, who is immoral like the rest of society, he falls in love with her. But, Lenina doesn’t feel the same way. This crushes him and later he takes his anger out on her at his sanctuary at the lighthouse: “’Strumpet!’ The savage had rushed at her like a madman. ‘Fitchew!’ Like a madman, he was slashing at her with his whip of small cords” (Huxley 229). Like John, Hamlet gets his heart broken from the woman he loves. Polonius tells Ophelia she is no longer allowed to see Hamlet because of what the king has told him: “I would not, in plain terms, from this time forth/ Have you so slander any moment leisure/ As to give words or talk with the Lord Hamlet” (I, iii, 133-135). Although Hamlet is devastated he learns that he cannot trust woman and now views them as “snakes”. Unlike John, Hamlet now realizes whom he can trust and whom he
cannot.

Both Shakespeare and Huxley show how powerful corruption can be, but in Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Hamlet uses the corruption as a learning tool. In both pieces of literature, characters show the desire to be accepted. Also, both authors show the lack of affection the societies have towards the protagonists. Hamlet and John illustrate the struggle to stay alive when corruption put much stress on oneself. Lastly, due to the views the societies have about love, it no longer holds any significance. Therefore, corruption is present in lives all around the world. Unfortunately there is no getting rid of it, but it is up to oneself to choose whether or not it will overcome society.