Life's Choices in William Shakespeare's Macbeth and Mary Shelley's Frankenstein
The choices we make in life can change our lives forever. Throughout
the play "Macbeth" written by William Shakespeare and the novel
Frankenstein written by Mary Shelley we learn how the choices made can
change peoples lives forever. The main characters within the play
"Macbeth" and the novel Frankenstein make choices to challenge the
laws of nature that lead to unforeseen consequences, denial, and
death. Some of these are shown within the stories through the loss of
family members, the characters taking no responsibility for the
consequences that have come from their actions, and the in the end the
death of both characters.
Throughout the novel Frankenstein and the play "Macbeth" both Victor
Frankenstein and Macbeth lose family members because of their
decisions. Victor's choices to create the beast against the laws of
nature bring on the death of his brother, William. "I knew it. Could
the demon who had…murdered my brother also in his hellish sport have
betrayed the innocent to death and ignominy" (Shelley 69). He had
known that the monster had murdered his brother, although he continued
on thinking the beast would soon stop, which soon led to the death of
his beloved Elizabeth, and soon his father. "As night approaches I
found myself at the entrance of the cemetery where William, Elizabeth,
and my father repased" (Shelley 85). His choices against the laws of
nature resulted in the same unforeseen consequences as Macbeth.
Macbeth makes choices to work against the laws of nature in murder.
"Our royal master's murdered" (Shakespeare II, iii, l 88). His...
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44-45). Once this is found Macbeth losses control and realizes his
death is near. He tries not to show now that he is scared. "If this
which he avouches does appear, / there is nor flying hence, nor
tarrying here/ I' gin to be a weary of the sun." (Shakespeare V, vi,
ll 47-49). Victor and Macbeth have now lost their lives because of
their shameful choices.
In conclusion, we have read and now know the similarities between
Macbeth from the play "Macbeth" by William Shakespeare and Victor
Frankenstein from the novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley and how the
choices we make in life can impact on our lives greatly. It was shown
through consequences, denial, and death.
Work Cited
Shakespeare, William. Macbeth. Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1977.
Shelley, Mary. Frankenstein. New York: Bantam Books, 1981.
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