Hamlet vs. Macbeth
With the end of the sixteenth century, there came a "turning point in Shakespeare's life which consequently changed his plays from the fanciful ideals to the seriousness of man. The results were the great tragedies from "1592-1609" (Thurber 184). These tragedies consisted of deeper concepts of the natural struggles that face mankind. Therefore, each play during these seventeen years has a tragic motive, this stems from Shakespeare's concentration on the deeper and sadder complexities of life. Hamlet conceived in 1601, consequently contains the premise for Macbeth composed four years later. With this in mind, it can be illustrated the tragedies Hamlet and Macbeth are parallel by a comparison of the characteristics in each work.The first demonstration in the similarities between Hamlet and Macbeth is in their personalities. One shared attribute is in the form of their insecurity. Hamlet states "My father's brother, but no more like my father/ Than I to Hercules" (1.2 152-153); this quote is alleges Hamlet doubts his strength and/or heroic capabilities. Macbeth reveals his lack of self-confidence in his statement "Present fears / Are less than horrible imaginings" (1.3 138-139). Evidently, he is attem
An additional common aspect to Hamlet and Macbeth is in their mental state by the closing stages of the play. Both exhibit symptoms of schizophrenia. In order to diagnose Hamlet and Macbeth as having schizophrenia, the definition of the disorder should be given. According to the online Health Center, schizophrenia is "a group of psychotic disorders characterized by disturbances in thought, perception, affect, behavior, and communication...". While there is no specific cause for schizophrenia, it is believed to have multiple explanations that rationalize the progression of the disorder. One theory is there are "psychological and social factors, such as a disturbed family and interpersonal relationships, that may play a role in development" (Health Central). These and other symptoms can be seen in both characters. For example, the most common indicator is hallucinations. Hamlet displays this in act three scene four after he has seen the ghost a second time. He is vehement about his question "Do you see nothing there?" (3.4 136). After the murder of Banquo, Macbeth generates a disturbance at the meal when he unexpectedly exclaims to a nonentity resembling Banquo "Behold, look! Lo, how say you?" (3.4 69). Another sign of the disorder is in delusions. Hamlet has no proof his mother is guilty yet; he condemns her on the word of a ghost. Macbeth's illusion stems from the belief that he is invincible from the three witches prophecies. A further indication of the disorder is in violence, Hamlet displays this on four occasions: Polonius' murder, the murders of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, the attack and murder on Laertes and in the murder of the King. Macbeth is responsible for the murders of the King, Banquo, and Macduff's wife and child. Due to these symptoms stemming from "more than one subtype of schizophrenia" (Health Central), it can be concluded that Hamlet and Macbeth display the signs of the "undifferentiated type" (Health Central) of schizophrenia. In the Shakespearian works Hamlet and Macbe
Some common words found in the essay are:
Hamlet Macbeth, Claudius Hamlet, Hamlet Macbeth's, , Banquo Macbeth, Health Center, Behold Lo, Health Central, Donalbain Macbeth, Hamlet Foul, hamlet macbeth, health central, weird sisters, banquo macbeth, act scene, supernatural forces, hamlet displays,
Approximate Word count = 1354
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
|
