William Shakespeare and John Wyndham both demonstrate a strong theme of change in the play, Macbeth, and in the novel, The Chrysalids. The theme of change is represented in both the novel and play through the characters, and their life changes. Change is revealed throughout both artifacts, and both display how the characters’ lives change dramatically from start to end. Shakespeare and Wyndham expose change in these artifacts to set the climax of the play and novel. Firstly, in the play Macbeth, the character Macbeth changes after the murder of Banquo and Duncan and his conscience is presented, this compares to the novel The Chrysalids, because during the war, the Sealanders kill the people from Waknuk and the Fringes, moreover changing the conscience of Waknuk. Secondly, Macbeth’s reputation is altered, because of his no longer high status after his death, which relates to the novel The Chrysalids, because Sophie’s status in Waknuk changes after her six toes are exposed after hiding them her whole life, along with the telepath’s telepathic powers being revealed everything changes for them. Lastly, in the play Macbeth, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s relationship is transformed due to his change of heart for his wife, and how he adjusts after her death, which relates to The Chrysalids because David and Sophie’s relationship is changed after Sophie leaves Waknuk. Macbeth by William Shakespeare, and The Chrysalids, by John Wyndham both include the theme of change all through the novel and play in the course of the changing of characters after deaths occur, the character’s reputation and status is altered within both artifacts, and the relationship between the characters after being separated. To begin with, the play Macebth, and the novel, The Chrysalids, deals with the theme of change due to Macbeth and Waknuk’s conscience being introduced. Macbeth’s conscience is finally revealed after the murder of Banquo. In
Cited: Shakespeare, William. Macbeth. Mississauga, Ontario: Longmans Canada Ltd., 1965. Scott, Mark W. Shakespearean Notes. Detroit, Michigan: Gale Research Company. 1986. Wyndham, John. The Chrysalids. London, England: Penguin Books. 1955.