Macbeth and Lord Jim
Realization of one's imminent death can drastically change an individual. Knowing that death is imminent can change the way we look at things, and cause us to confess our sins. In Lord Jim by Joseph Conrad and Macbeth by William Shakespeare, the main characters experience this trauma. The instant that Jim jumps from the Patna, his life becomes a series of lies that will tamper with him for the rest of his life. He cannot confess the cowardly act that plagues him incessantly and, thus, he is controlled by his hidden secret. Only when he realizes that he is going to die does Jim face the lie. In parallel, Macbeth also is controlled by a lie. Macbeth's murder of Duncan ignites a guilt inside of him that can only be confronted before he fights Macduff. Macbeth also needs to face the false promises that the witches gave him. These promises give Macbeth a false sense of security which help lead to his demise. Macbeth, like Jim, is badgered by a singular act that prevents him from living an honest life. However, both men are able to redeem themselves prior to their deaths. By confronting the lies and dying with dignity, the two men are able to regain some of their honor. The similarity between the two works emphasizes the ef
When Macduff tells Macbeth that he was no actually born of woman, Macbeth realizes that the three witches have lied to him about his mortality and that he will die. He says, "And be these juggling fiends no more believed,/That keep the word of promise to our ear,/And break it to our hope." (Shakespeare V, viii, 23 - 25). The shock and utter horror that Macbeth experienced was similar to that which Jim felt when Tamb' Itam told him about Dain Waris. The feeling of devastation that both men felt nearly instantaneously caused the men to confront the lies that they had endured. The similarities between the two scenes emphasizes the feelings that Jim was having when he accepted his past. "And let the angel whom thou still hast served Like Jim, Macbeth refuses to end his life as a coward. He is enraged by the comment and shows signs of the fiery leader that he once was. Macbeth wishes to put what has happened behind him and die with honor. He says: Though Birnam Wood be come to Dunsinane
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1881
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)
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