Preview

Comparing Hamlet And Hamlet

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1717 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Comparing Hamlet And Hamlet
Two famous classical tragedies, Shakespeare’s Macbeth and Hamlet, are considered among the best theatrical works of all time. Macbeth is the story of an ambitious man tempted with the idea of acquiring a position of great power and, as a result, he stops at no moral boundary to attain it. The tragedy reveals the damaging effects of this ambition on one’s psychological health. Hamlet is the story of a depressed and melancholic prince given the task of avenging his father’s death by killing his uncle who has usurped the throne. Hamlet lacks the ability to take action, and with his indecisiveness, comes tragedy. Throughout Shakespeare’s Hamlet and Macbeth, the protagonists exhibit changes in personality and morality, largely due to the effects …show more content…
Throughout Shakespeare’s Hamlet and Macbeth, the evolution of the protagonists influences the trust and safety of the people around them. Macbeth undergoes a shift in loyalty, and loses sight of his morals. This has a disastrous effect on the people of Scotland, as their new king no longer cares about the country’s well-being. In addition, Macbeth’s reign terrifies the people of Scotland because he kills anyone who poses a threat to stealing his power. Two examples include the assassination of Banquo and Macduff’s family. Macbeth has Banquo and his son killed in order to prevent Banquo’s son from becoming king as the witches predicted. Although Banquo’s son escapes, Macbeth feels secure in his position of power. When the witches tell Macbeth “Beware Macduff. Beware the thane of Fife” (IV i 73), Macbeth attempts to have Macduff assassinated to protect his power. In reality, Macduff has left Scotland, so the assassins kill his innocent wife and children. Hamlet’s change in personality, like Macbeth, also affects the people around him. Notably, Hamlet has an impact on his love Ophelia and her brother Laertes. Because of Hamlet’s negative attitude toward women — due to his mother — Hamlet lashes out at Ophelia when she obeys her father, and agrees to stop seeing

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    The unavoidable result is that tragedy is old fashioned; Tis for royalty. If the excitement of tragic action were honestly a asset of a high character alone, it is unbelievable that mankind should cherish tragedy above all, let alone understand that. Tragedy is invoked when a character is ready to die to secure his one objective. In Shakespearean tragedies, from Hamlet to Macbeth, the primary struggle is that attempt of gaining their “rightful” position in society. Furthermore, Tragedy then is the outcome of a man’s pressure to evaluate himself.…

    • 454 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In many of the plays by William Shakespeare, the central character goes through internal and external changes that ultimately shake their foundations to the core. Numerous theories have been put forth to explain the sequence of tragedies Shakespeare wrote during this period by linking it to some experience of melancholy, anger, despair, and the antagonist 's ultimate fall from grace in their lust for power. But such theories overlook the fact that it is in this very same period and in the same tragic works that portray the heights to which human nature can rise and fall in its purest and noblest, if not happiest terms. Surely the creation of so much light alongside the darkness and the perfection of the artistic medium through which Shakespeare gives them expression argues against the idea that the greedy side of human nature is his chief concern. His efforts to portray human life in its rarest form and not only the dark depths, but also the treasure rooms of our being. He tries to pierce beneath the superficial motives and forces of surface behavior, social, and cultural expressions and to the deeper levels of individual character and human nature. Shakespeare then places these aspects of human existence in their true relation to the wider field of universal life. In relation to the tragic hero, there are many similarities between the tragic heroes in Macbeth and King Lear. However, the differences between the two outline the re-occurring themes in both plays. In Shakespeare 's plays the central characters ' own weaknesses and lust for power lead to corruption. The unchecked power in Shakespeare 's Macbeth and King Lear ultimately leads to corruption, tragedy, and the hero 's fall from grace.…

    • 1448 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Shakespeare’s masterpiece of a play, ‘Macbeth’, carefully depicts that Macbeth’s character was not ruined by fate but rather by damaging errors in his personality. Macbeth’s dangerous quality of ambition brings about his downfall as well as his treachery against his king, his tyranny and also his imaginativeness that eventually lures him into the murder. Although Shakespeare suggests that Macbeth’s decisions were greatly influenced by other characters in his text, it was Macbeth that ultimately decided to listen to these influences due to the many faults in his character.…

    • 88 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Better Essays

    Since William Shakespeare began his career as a playwright, many others have attempted to produce their own versions of his plays. One play which has been produced time and time again is Hamlet. Whether Hamlet is performed live or simply a movie, each production has its own unique spin on the stories within the play, and each has its own “feel”. Michael Almereyda’s Hamlet places the story in modern day New York City, with Ethan Hawke as Hamlet, Julia Stiles as Ophelia, Bill Murray as Polonius, and many others. Almereyda’s interpretation of Hamlet makes the audience able to be more emotionally attached to the characters through the way in which scenes are staged, speeches performed, and relationships and interactions organized.…

    • 1493 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Better Essays

    To illustrate, Macbeth kills the guards to try to maintain his appearence of innocence. After just killing Duncan in his sleep, Macbeth and his wife are anxious and paranoid. Macbeth wants to eradicate anyone that may know the truth about Duncan’s mysterious death; killing the guards was necessary to ensure Macbeth’s own security. However, Lady Macbeth had already framed the guards by placing the bloody knife by them. As a result, Macbeth’s action is not just act of protection, but an act of apparent loyalty in order to keep the crown. Next, Macbeth plots the murder of his friend Banquo. Banquo starts getting suspicious of Duncan’s death because it happened so incredibly close to when the witches told Macbeth he would be king. He starts to perceive that maybe Macbeth killed Duncan to get his position. Macbeth worries that Banquo would be suspicious because he is the only other person that knows of the prophecy. In addition to that, the witches also said Banquo’s children will be kings, making Macbeth doubt the safety of his reign. Macbeth is so eager to ensure his long rule that he order’s murderers to kill Banquo and his son Fleance. Now that he has the crown, he will never let it escape him. Furthermore, he also kills Banquo to maintain his kingship. After getting word of Macduff’s flee to England, Macbeth believes that he is a traitor. In order to…

    • 914 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Two completely different kingdoms about two completely different types of species can be more in common than someone would think. Character is a suicidal, depressed Prince of Denmark and the other a singing, animated young prince of the jungle. How does William Shakespeare’s play, Hamlet relate to the Disney movie, The Lion King? Although Simba, the main character in The Lion King has an ending that is more compatible with its juvenile audience, and Hamlet’s ending was literally deadly. They both have to go head to head with their evil uncles and they must overcome moral conflict within themselves. Simba and Hamlet have their obvious difference but also share more unique traits in their stories than some would think.…

    • 784 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Leah

    • 880 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Macbeth had done a lot to become king. He murdered his cousin, King Duncan and anyone else who he thought would reveal the truth that he was true murderer. He also went against his ethics. Two of the people Macbeth ordered to be murdered were his honorable friend Banqou, and Banquo’s son Fleance. Macbeth murdered Banquo for two reasons. The first reason was his fear of Banquo’s nobleness. In Macbeth’s soliloquy he states, “There’s something noble about him (Banquo) that makes me fear him. He’s willing to take risks, and his mind never stops working. He has the wisdom to act bravely but also safely. I’m not afraid of anyone but him…” Macbeth is worried that Banquo will reveal that Macbeth killed King Duncan since Banquo suspected Macbeth. Another reason was because Banqou was told by three evil witches that, “Thou shalt get kings, thought thou be none” so Macbeth figured that he should have Banqou murdered to stop Banquo…

    • 880 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Ophelia has an important relationship and entangling affair with the prince. Hamlets and Ophelia’s actions in time lead the young women into a deep grief, and eventually an even deeper lunacy. Her burning emotions and truly mad mind compares to and intensifies the look on Hamlets selfish nature and veil of thought-out deception. Laertes parallels Hamlets similarities as far as age, sex and vengeful functions. Driven by revenge for his father, Laertes also creates a difference between himself and the prince as he takes impulsive actions while Hamlet does not.…

    • 1658 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Is Macbeth A Tragic Hero

    • 673 Words
    • 3 Pages

    A significant event in this story was when Macbeth murdered Duncan. This struck uneasiness throughout Scotland and some people feared for their lives. Malcolm and Donalbain especially were afraid because they believed; “There’s daggers in men’s smiles.” (Act II sc (iv), ln 165) Banquo’s murder is a fearful moment as well. Macbeth orders murderers to kill Banquo by saying; “Who wear our health but sickly in his life,/ Which in his death were perfect.” (Act III sc (i) lns 119-120) Macbeth is the cause of his innocent friend’s death and he does it purely for his own benefit and personal gain. Macbeth also causes the death of Macduff’s family. He says to Macduff; “My soul is too much charged with blood of thine already.” (Act V sc (viii), lns 6-7) when Macduff challenges him. The family has neither harmed nor threatened Macbeth in any way. There is pity felt for the deaths of these innocent people and fear of the murderous Macbeth throughout Scotland. This fear and pity adds to the point that Macbeth is a…

    • 673 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Ela Macbeth Essay

    • 928 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Macbeth is a dramatic play that displays a strong emphasis on the effects from personal desires and choices made by characters. The play does not solely focus on the judgement made by Macbeth, other characters within the play are also developed and exhibit new motives or personalities as a result of poor decision making. Ranging from the desire to murder a man or to follow witch’s prophecies in a quest for personal benefit, the characters will have to conform to the consequences of their decisions – William Shakespeare exemplary demonstrates the power of corruption in society. With that said, the characters in Macbeth did not thoroughly contemplate their actions, thus leading to their downfall. Whether characters had made harmful rulings due to their irrational thinking or because they were caught up in the moment – Shakespeare stresses the theme of conflict between pursuing a personal desire and choosing to conform vastly within the play.…

    • 928 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Betrayal In Macbeth

    • 1347 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Macduff’s army assailed Macbeth’s kingdom forcing him into a terminal confrotion. Macbeth meet his end with an ultimate duel with MacDuff, and as the witches predicted “"Beware Macduff; Beware the Thane of Fife”(Shakespeare 4, 1, ) , his death was carried out swiftly by Macduff. Macbeth was executed by the hands of Macduff, a beheading showing the end of his tyranny. Macbeth’s own people had no remorse, not even a glimpse of pity, for his passing. He left behind a legacy of evil, one of which he could have prented but sadly enough had to happen in order to restore peace in…

    • 1347 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Hamlet, himself, exhibits faults in his personality, often acting volatile and reckless in situations beyond his control. In Act 1, Scene 3, Ophelia describes Hamlet as an admirer who had ‘made many tenders of his affection’ to her but later on, in Act 3, Scene 1, when they confront each other about their feelings, Hamlet angrily shouts ‘Get thee to a nunnery’, insulting her and not realising the possible consequences of his actions. Ophelia isn’t without flaws, herself, as shown by her tendency to be influenced by the men around her. Whilst it was common for the women during Shakespeare’s time to be obedient to their men, Ophelia’s submissiveness eventually drives her to insanity and leads to her suicide. Furthermore, Ophelia’s father, Polonius, is also a fatally flawed character, with his peripeteia being his nosiness and propensity to pry, which then leads to his death. Shakespeare uses the weaknesses of each character to emphasise that human beings are flawed to warn his audience that if these flaws are not recognised, they may, and often will, bring…

    • 943 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Exploratory Research Paper

    • 1325 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Today’s technology is advancing at an unprecedented rate. However, as tech focused companies continue to profit and expand, their emphasis on innovation for the masses diminishes. Manufacturers are expected to release one or more new flagship products every year, in turn implicating an incentive to place aside supporting older generations in favor of quarterly profits. Planned obsolescence is the idea of a consumer product being purposely made with the intent of being replaced and becoming obsolete. Ultimately, my question would be whether planned obsolescence is a necessary step in the advancement of technology.…

    • 1325 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    This novel was made into a film in 2007 and won many awards for its acting, music, and many other categories. In general, the film was extremely loyal to the plot and character development in the novel. The director made sure that many of the little details that were present in the novel were in the film. I think this is what made the film so notable; the filmmakers did so much to make the film as similar as humanly possible to the award-winning novel. However since the book is so heavy on the character’s internal dialogues with themselves, the film obviously couldn’t replicate that amount of abstract speech without a continuous voiceover. Thus, even though the film did a fantastic job of translating the outward actions, words, and perspectives of the many different characters in the novel, it couldn’t have possibly translated the immense amount of nuance in the character’s internal dialogues. For these reasons, I believe that the novel version of “Atonement” is superior to the film version. Film just can’t capture the emotions and thoughts of the characters the way that the written word can.…

    • 815 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    1. CAD/CAM- CAD/CAM stands for Computer-aided design and Computer-aided manufacturing. It is used in product development to enable manufacturers to design and build their products using computers.…

    • 580 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays