Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird and Shakespeare’s Macbeth are two texts who have stood the test to time. Despite the years passing by, the values expressed in those two classics continue to be important nowadays. Granting that these two books are quite different, in settings, writing style and general plot, there are also some elements that ties these two pieces of literature to each other. For instance, the characters of Tom Robinson and Lady Macduff. Both of the characters embody the theme “evil touches especially the innocent”. Tom Robinson, a black man, first becomes acquainted with evil when he is accused of raping a white woman. Whilst Lady Macduff is mercilessly assassinated due to being wedded to Macduff. These two characters both suffered the consequences of being in contact with uncontrollable evils: …show more content…
It is considered a sin “to kill a mockingbird” (Lee 119), since is they “don’t do one thing but sing their hearts out for us” (Lee 199). Tom Robinson and Lady Macduff have “done no harm” (4.2.71) to anybody, but ended up dead nonetheless. In the storyline of these two classics, the chosen characters both symbolised the innocent casualties who just happened to be in the crossfire. As there are similarities between these characters, there are also differences. Without taking in consideration the obvious ones, one difference is the character’s position in society. Lady Macduff, as her name says, is a lady. She married the lord and army general Macduff, acquiring his status in society. On the other side there is Tom Robinson, a black man living in southern United States during the 30’s. While Lady Macduff is powerful and close to the top of the social hierarchy, Tom Robinson is the lowest of the low, considered inferior for his skin color, that will only offer him jobs with low salaries. Their roles in the family are also quite
The quote, “Man is not truly one, but truly two.” can be analyzed from a behaviorally or mentally aspect. Physically, man is one, but if you delve deeper into the man, he can be separated into two parts which creates a whole man. In the play Macbeth and in the novel Lord of the Flies, some of the characters can be split into two conflicting parts. The characters are neither entirely good or entirely bad. In both the novel and the play, something happens to the characters that made them split into an evil side, thus creating two men.
Whether we read books, watch movies, or simply live life, we cannot ignore that writers, directors or people create pairs of characters that may have things in common and characteristics that show them as opposites. Sometimes, they may seem obvious but at other times, the individuals have to be analyzed and understood. They are placed in stories to show the good and the bad in the story. However, placing similar and somewhat opposite characters together is clearly portrayed in the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. These characters go through some of the same situations but they can be distinguished differently by the way they choose to deal a situation. Sometimes, their intention may be alike however, in the end, their doing is what makes them two different people. This contrast is especially evident when comparing Walter Cunningham Sr. and Bob Ewell, Boo Radely and Nathan Radely, and, lastly, Miss. Maudie and Miss. Stephanie.
To Kill a Mockingbird Harper Lee sheds light upon the controversy of racism and justice in his classic novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. The notion of equality in accordance with the law and the pursuit of justice are hindered by racial discrimination. The essence of human nature is pondered. Are we inclined to be good or in the wrath of evil? The novel reflects on the contrasting nature of appearance versus reality.
and Old Major with the witches represent the theme of fate verses free will while Snowball and
To Kill a Mockingbird is a story about a black man named Tom Robinson who is imprisoned and on trial for raping a white woman. Throughout the novel Harper Lee explores the theme of imprisonment in many forms such as restriction because of age and/or gender, because of one’s past, and because of social circumstances such as racism. The novel’s main character Scout, feels frustrated by the restrictions placed on her because of her age and her gender and finds ways to express herself in spite of these restrictions. In contrast, Arthur Radley (Boo) allows his past to imprison him inside his house both physically and mentally. Finally, Mayella Ewell is restricted by her society’s expectations that white women are not allowed to be attracted to black men. Ironically even though Tom is the one in jail, Mayella is also imprisoned by the rules of segregation and has to claim she was raped instead of admitting she was attracted to him. She is beaten and shamed for her desires and urges to be with Tom. To summarize, these four characters show the many ways we can be
“Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” (p.90) Miss. Maudie, one of the main protagonists in To Kill a Mockingbird, warns the young girl Scout that mockingbirds should not to be killed or hunted down because they represent those who are kind and innocent. So, on a broader spectrum, the term “to kill a mockingbird” symbolizes cruel and improper behavior towards people with good hearts and intentions. In the town of Maycomb, unethical behaviors, such as prejudice and gossip, are most commonly used against the “mockingbirds”. Three of those “mockingbirds” that are featured in this novel are Arthur “Boo” Radley, Tom Robinson, and Atticus Finch. Due to the depiction of the mockingbird symbol in the novel, the reader understands the consequences that immoral attitudes have towards those who are innocent and kindhearted.
Throughout this play Malcolm and Macbeth display several characteristics; both strengths and weaknesses, yet each in their own way and timing. These characters are similar in some ways, but having like attributes doesn’t necessarily mean they are identical. One can be congruent, yet totally deviating at the same time. In analyzing the play “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare collected evidence in comparing the characters and their different ways of displaying similar characteristics; ambition, courage, and weaknesses are elaborated and portrayed, giving a better understanding of the characters.
A quote which really defines Lady Macbeth and Macbeth’s ambition regarding power is “Power does not corrupt men; fools; however, if they get into a position of power, corrupt power” George Bernard Shaw. Lady Macbeth is more ambitious in terms of gaining power then Macbeth is and that Lady Macbeth will do almost anything to gain power, even evil things that she normally wouldn’t do. This is shown when Macbeth and Lady Macbeth learn about the witches’ predictions, then roles in the plans to murder king Duncan in order to gain power and then finally after the murder, Macbeth doesn’t want to finish the plan making Lady Macbeth angry and causing a chance they might get caught and gain no power at all.
In this world, everyone has an equal right; however, many people are getting falsely accused of acts they did not commit even though they are innocent. Mockingbirds, one of the most innocent birds, sing their heart out for people to enjoy, however, they getting killed every day. In this novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, there are many racial prejudices going on. Finches stand near the top of the social hierarchy, with Cunningham and Ewells underneath. Black community in Maycomb is even below the Ewells, even if they were a hard worker; they were not treated equally. The “mockingbirds” represents the idea of innocence, so killing a mockingbird is to destroy innocence. Throughout the book, many characters are considered a mockingbird. Three examples are Tom Robinson, Boo Radley, and Mr. Dolphus Raymond. Those three characters are innocent; they are kind and were never harmful to others. However, they were destroyed through contact of evil. In the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, the mockingbirds symbolizes the idea of innocence, and Tom, Boo, and Mr. Raymond are considered one of it.
As philosopher Thomas Hobbes said, “Moral philosophy is nothing else but the science of what is good, and evil, in the conversation, and society of humanity. Good, and evil, are names that signify our appetites, and aversions; which in different tempers, customs, and doctrines of men, are different.” Since Adam, the ongoing argument has reigned on the natural morality of humanity. Accompanying this argument is the question: Does humanity have free will to act upon the universe as we please or are we fate’s puppet to do as fate deems worthy? Fate refers to a development of events controlled by the supernatural and out of man’s control while free will is a free and independent choice, totally in man’s control. In Loung Ung’s nonfiction, First
Despite the matter that both Macbeth and Amir betrayed the people closest to them, they developed contrasting characteristics. While Amir’s demeanor became guilty and remorseful, Macbeth shifted into a cold and intense rendition of his former self.
Love is all about loyalty and the desire for power does kill. When someone wants power they they go to a more existence. In both books they have love and loyalty and desire for things they can't have. Catherine and her childish mind really puts the story into action. And Lady Macbeth and Macbeth love life is twirling into a chaos.
There was a common saying, “Behind every great man there's a great woman”. The men, Macbeth and Winston Smith in Shakespeare’s Macbeth and George Orwell’s 1984 may not be considered as the “great man” however, both Lady Macbeth and Julia are good examples that can be presented as the “great woman” behind the men. Both Lady Macbeth and Julia do an excellent job of pretending to be someone who they are not, they are not only affecting the men in their lives to rethink their previous position but also have a bad ending accompanied with physical and psychological issues.
In the play Othello and the play Macbeth, Shakespeare uses the main characters in both plays as warriors. Both characters in each of their plays, had constant outside voices seeping into their minds which ultimately contributed to the fate of both Othello and Macbeth. The witches in the play Macbeth had more of an effect of Macbeth’s actions then Iago had on Othello’s actions in the play Othello. Each character had a lot of pressure on them throughout the play however the witches influence on Macbeth resulted in more destruction than Iago’s influence on Othello.
The Shakespearean playwrights Macbeth and Hamlet are both very well-known tragedies. They have many things in common but are different in some ways. Both plays involve greed but the characters are different. There are some characters that have the same qualities such as Hamlet and Malcolm who both killed for revenge. Macbeth and Hamlet are different in character even though they both killed. The tragedies are the same in that many people are killed but the reasons are very different. Macbeths need for power has caused him to lose control while Hamlets need for revenge causes him to lose his own life.