Introduction
William Shakespeare is one of the greatest writers ever known, producing many literary works to grace the art. Macbeth and Hamlet belong to his vast collection of scholarly works that numerous readers continue enjoying despite being written ages ago. Macbeth is centered in the story of three witches who inform Macbeth, a general in Scotland, that he will become the King of Scotland. After receiving this news, and his wife’s encouragement, Macbeth kills the king to become Scotland’s leader. Out of paranoia, he kills more people. As a result, there is a civil war, which sees his reign overthrown, and more death follows. Hamlet revolves around the murder of the new king of Denmark, Claudius, by Hamlet, who was inspired by his father’s ghost (Hamlet. 1.5.180 – 95). This paper will analyze the similarities and differences between the two plays by Shakespeare.
Similarities
Similarities in Macbeth and Hamlet. The two plays have many things that resonate with each other. Firstly, both plays have the theme of tragedy. In both plays, the main characters have the same traits and are both murdered because of revenge. Hamlet and Macbeth are killed for something they believe in, Macbeth’s need for power and Hamlet for his need to avenge his father’s death. Another significant similarity is that the two plays may be classified as supernatural. Macbeth and Hamlet’s journeys begin with some spiritual occurrences and something evil too. Macbeth runs into the company of witches and their divinations (Macbeth. 1.3.50 – 80). In the other play, Hamlet is visited by his late father’s ghost, who inspires his need for revenge (Hamlet. 1.5.180 – 95). The two occurrences influence both of their decisions as Macbeth decides to listen to the witches fueling his greed for power while Hamlet feels obligated to avenge his father’s death. They both make the decisions that end up with kings being killed and second-guessed as mad or crazy people. The theme of death is well illustrated in the two plays since both characters die, and many other people are also killed.
Differences
Differences in Hamlet and Macbeth. The two plays show different reasons why the protagonists commit murder. Macbeth kills the king because of greed for power. This incident happened after the witches told Macbeth that he would be the new King of Scotland. The motive here is significantly different from Hamlet’s, who kills the king to avenge his father’s death. It occurs after his father’s ghost appeared to him and convinced Hamlet that his uncle murdered him. The ghost told Hamlet to take revenge (Hamlet. 1.5.180 – 95). Another difference here is that whereas Hamlet sees his father, whom he is the only one he can see, Macbeth is visited by three sister witches who everyone could see (Macbeth. 1.3.50 – 80). In that regard, Macbeth faces three times the evil that Hamlet faces. The other difference is how the deaths of the two main characters are depicted. Both of them end up being killed on the battlefield, but whereas Hamlet’s death is portrayed as a heroic one, Macbeth’s death is not considered heroic. Macbeth committed numerous murders because of his selfish reasons, while Hamlet killed to avenge his father’s death (Hamlet. 5.2.335 – 55).
Conclusion
Hamlet and Macbeth are among Shakespeare’s works that are used continuously in literature. The two plays have similarities, such as the theme of death and the presence of supernatural powers. However, a detailed analysis can help readers identify some differences present in the plays, including factors that made the two protagonists commit murder.
