Comparing Paranoia In Shakespeare's Macbeth And Stalin

Google states that the definition of paranoia is “a mental condition characterized by delusions of persecution, unwarranted jealousy, or exaggerated self-importance, typically elaborated into an organized system.” The Shakespearean work on Macbeth shows that under the spell of paranoia one becomes obsessed with power they make corrupt decisions. Macbeth can be compared to Stalin because they let paranoia run them, did evil but still were admired and abused their power to achieve their own selfish goals.

Macbeth's paranoia resulted in him killing his beloved friends just like stalin killed many people. After Macbeth was told his prophecy he became obsessed over gaining power, he was unable to sleep. Macbeth murdered many during his reign of terror because paranoia. Stalin enacted the Great Purge out of fear of losing power. He had many opponents of his party removed, even having past members critical to him executed. The last stage of the purge was that Stalin made sure that if anyone knew

Macbeth was admired by even the King, and was awarded the title of Thane of Glamis, and Thane of Cawdor after a civil war was won. Joseph Stalin’s achievements impressed Vladimir Lenin, a Russian Communist Revolutionary and was invited to meet him. Stated by the Biography of Stalin “Stalin then using Lenin’s injury and new post as general secretary to remove thousands of Leon Trotsky's Supporters, then later arranged for Trotsky to be removed from the government.” The importance of this is Stalin did evil and had many people killed but lots thought he was a great leader because he advance Russia. Macbeth was looked at as a friend of King Duncan, then when he killed him Macbeth gained the title of King. Many people looked up to these two but behind their disguise they were cruel and vicious. Just like how the witches say “fair is foul and foul is fair” you can see that this relates a lot to these