Similarities Between Macbeth And Animal Farm

In Orwell’s “Animal Farm” and Shakespeare’s “Macbeth,” the characters of Mollie with Lady Macbeth,

and Old Major with the witches represent the theme of fate verses free will while Snowball and

Napoleon represents the transformation of Macbeth from the theme of ambition to the theme of

abusive power.

Fate functions as a technique used repetitively throughout the short story. Conversely,

Animal Farm and Macbeth contrast each other because of the song “Beasts of Old England” and the prophecies told by the three witches. Old Major demonstrates the theme of fate when he says, “Tyrant Man shall be overthrown /And the fruitful fields of England / Shall be trod by breasts alone” (Orwell 10). As a role model, the dream Old Major had before he perished represents his hope towards a life of

Snowball and Macbeth similarly do what is necessary to achieve a goal. Old Major discusses the theme of ambition when he says, “Man is the only real enemy we have. Remove man from the scene, and the root cause of hunger and overwork us abolished forever” (Orwell 6). This quotation signifies the urge Old Major feels to do something about the suffering the animals encounter from humans abusing them. The animals have been used in a negative way by being treated as slaves because of humans use the food and milk they produce to feed themselves. However, in return, they are empty handed. Snowball acknowledges the need to stand up and fight back when he analyzes their glad by stating, “the flag was green, Snowball explained, to represent the green fields of England, while the hoof and horn signified the future republic of the animals which would arise when the human race had been finally overthrown” (Orwell 5). This quotation signifies the flag is a symbol of trust,