Macbeth Hamlet Comprison

In the beginning of the play Hamlet, the main character’s father has been killed. His father’s ghost appears to him and tells him that is was his uncle, Claudius, who poisoned him. At this point, he cannot trust any one, not even his own family. It goes even further with the fact that Claudius will be marring his mother, Gertrude. “He cannot be sure whether he can even trust his own mother in the struggle for power that takes place later in the play” (Watt 160).

Killing for revenge is a theme exhibited throughout this play. “As events continue, the reader comes to realize that by the end of the play the characters of Hamlet, Fortinbras and Laertes have all had their fathers killed, the main reason being revenge” (Camp

Yet another death, that of Hamlet’s mother, Gertrude, is another example of death caused by deceit and revenge. Drinking out of a poisoned cup, which was intended to be drunk by Hamlet causes her death. Her husband, Claudius, with the help of Laertes, put out the poison. “They had intended to poison Hamlet, but as it turned out, Claudius poisons his wife”(Dean 220). The distrust and deceit in this play result in so many unintended deaths. The play gives no indication that the characters are learning from this, that killing caused by revenge leads into more revenge and death. It is an unending cycle.

Shakespeare also shows how all these deaths and deceit begin to affect Macbeth and Lady MacBeth as the play continues. One way it is shown is their sleeplessness. They can’t sleep because they are feeling guilty about the things they have done. “Macbeth is occupied with images of nets and tangles, signs of traps and deceits that he fears will catch him for what he’s done”(Dean 351). Lady Macbeth is seen to be sleepless and sleepwalking as well. At one point, she actually confesses to some of the evil her husband and she has committed while she is sleepwalking because of the overwhelming sense of guilt she has for what they have done.

Lady MacBeth’s death causes Macbeth to kill Siward. He is only acting out of rage, but his rash decision-making is what will lead to his death. He wants revenge and acts irrationally. “The character of Macbeth appears to be a mean and ruthless killer. The real reason Macbeth is killing is because of fear and his need for self-protection”(Campbell 213). He thinks everyone is out to get him and against him.

The killing of Lady MacDuff and her children is just to show how out of hand this had gotten. The idea that MacDuff’s wife and children are a threat to Macbeth is absolutely absurd. This shows how revenge and

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