Hamlet Versus Macbeth Essay

Hamlet vs. Macbeth

In the plays of Hamlet and Macbeth by William Shakespeare portrays a hero that has a tragic flaw. We see that in both plays the main characters are influenced to do bad by supernatural presence, we also see that in both plays the main characters have a family member that leads them to their downfalls, and lastly we see that the story lines of both characters are similar. Hamlet is influenced by the ghost of his father, while Macbeth is influenced by the 3 witches. In hamlet his father king Hamlet leads him to his downfall, while in Macbeth Lady Macbeth is the reason for Macbeths downfall. In hamlet we see that hamlet tries to get rid of Claudius through killing other, while Macbeth goes on a killing spree to become king. Therefore we see that Shakespeare uses similar story lines in both of these tragic plays.

Both plays of hamlet and Macbeth portray supernatural presence. We see that Shakespeare uses the supernatural to get the reader interested in how its presence will have effect the main characters. We see that in hamlet he ends up dying because he followed what the ghost of his father told him, while Macbeth follows the 3 witches sayings and ends up dying. We see that Shakespeare tries to portray these supernatural features to sort of distract the main characters, because if there was no ghost in Hamlet and there were no witches in Macbeth then both characters would see things differently, hamlet would not know that Claudius was the murderer of his father, and Macbeth would not know his future if it was not for the witches. Therefore the supernatural presence in both plays contributes to the main characters downfalls.

In hamlet we see that the ghost plays a huge role in hamlets downfall. The ghost which is Hamlets father King Hamlet, he is the reason why hamlet decided to plan his attacks on his uncle king Claudius who was the one who killed his father. We see that hamlet doesnt really believe he is seeing his father but as the ghost appears more often he encourages Hamlet to do bad, he encourages him to get revenge for his death, he tells him, revenge his foul and unnatural murder.(Act1 scene 5 line 25) Here the ghost tells him to get revenge on Claudius, his brother the king who killed him in order to become king. We see that Hamlet becomes a totally different person; he is full of rage and wants to kill Claudius. The ghost puts a load on hamlet when telling him, Im doomed to suffer until you take revenge on Claudius. This shows us that Hamlet is dedicated to what his father has told him, and has to continue with the plan to murder Claudius. Therefore those are some examples of how hamlet is influenced by ghost which is the supernatural in this case.

In Macbeth we see that the three witches play a huge role in Macbeths downfall. It is because of the witches that Macbeth murdered many to become king. We see that in Macbeth the only reason why he decides to want to become king was because he was told by the witches that he was going to become king. He is influenced by the witches when they say, all hail, Macbeth that shalt be king hereafter!(Act 1. Scene 3 line 53). We see that the witches tell him he will become king sometime. Macbeth than goes on to kill king Duncan, and also his close friend Banquo, because he was the only one to see the witches with Macbeth, and becomes finally becomes king. Therefore those were some of the effects due to the supernatural presence of the three witches on Macbeth.

In both plays we see that the main character have a family member that leads them to their downfalls. In Macbeth we see that it is indeed Lady Macbeth who leads Macbeth to his downfall by convincing him to kill king Duncan, after reading the letter with the plan of Macbeth killing king Duncan she says, thy letter have transported me beyond. This ignorant present, and I feel now. The future in the instant (act 1 scene 6 lines 64-67). What this quotation is saying is that Lady Macbeth could have prevented the killing of King Duncan but instead supported it and the witches prophecies came true. In Hamlet we see that his father the ghost king Hamlet is the one who leads him to his downfall. If it wasnt for the ghost than Hamlet would not have known that it was Claudius who killed his father. Everything that occurred could have been prevented (the killing of Polonius) and Hamlet would just have Claudius for marrying his mother and not murdered him. This whole act starts when the ghost say to Hamlet, Pity me not, but lend thy serious hearing to what I shall unfold(act 1 scene 5 lines 5-6). We see that his father the ghost gets him to pay attention to what he has to say and as a result gets him to be full of anger which later on leads to his downfall.

In Macbeth we see that Lady Macbeth plays a huge role when it comes to the downfall of Macbeth. She is the reason why Macbeth murdered King Duncan and Banquo, it was her who encouraged Macbeth to kill King Duncan she tells him, But screw your courage to the sticking place and well not fail (act1 scene 7 line 70). That is the example of her telling Macbeth that you need to man up and do the thing right and youll be fine referring to him killing Duncan. If Lady Macbeth went against that letter that Macbeth sent her than there would have been no murdering. Perhaps Lady Macbeth was being selfish and would do anything to be crowned queen. Also if it wasnt for her Macbeth would not have gone to the meeting where he would see the ghost of Banquo speaking out to him making him look crazy. Therefore, Lady Macbeth was the family member that led to Macbeths downfall.

In hamlet we see that the ghost of his father is the one to lead him to his downfall. We can conclude that it was the ghost of his father because it again leads back to the beginning when Hamlet did not know that Claudius murdered his father. The play could have completely changed, Claudius would be the king and nobody would know that it was him who murdered King Hamlet. We see that the ghost reveals to him who has killed him, but know, thou noble youth, the serpent that did sting thy fathers life now wears the crown(act 1 scene 5 lines 38-40). Hamlet now knows who murdered his father because the ghost of his father tells him and leads to his outrage. Hamlet plans a play to show the king and queen and it is exactly the scenario of his fathers death, and we see that he is now concentrated in killing Claudius. Therefore we can say that the ghost of his own father led Prince Hamlet to his downfall.

Both the plays of Hamlet and Macbeth have similar story lines. We see that in both plays there is a King involved and killed, we also see that in both plays the main characters tend to follow supernatural figures, we see that there are family members in both that lead the main characters to their downfalls, and finally both of the main characters die. Macbeth wasnt really a family connected play it was more of a hero trying to become king through doing bad to others and here is an example of him doing anything to become King referring to Banquo, so he is mine, and in such bloody distance that every minute of his being thrusts against my nearst of life. With barefaced power sweep him from my sight(act 3 scene 1 lines 130-135). Here we see that he want to get rid of Banquo his closest friend. In hamlet however it is more of a family feud. the fights and deaths that occur are all based because of rage and dishonesty.