Macbeth and Star Wars: Coherence by Themes

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Macbeth is a play written by William Shakespeare. It is considered one of his darkest and most powerful tragedies. Set in Scotland, the play dramatizes the corrosive psychological and political effects produced when evil is chosen as a way to fulfil the ambition for power.The play is believed to have been written between 1603 and 1607, and is most commonly dated 1606. It is a timeless classic and its themes resonate within some of the most common movies and books of modern times. Star Wars is an American epic space opera franchise centered on a film series created by George Lucas. The film series, consisting of two trilogies, has spawned an extensive media franchise called the Expanded Universe including books, television series, computer and video games, and comic books. The franchise depicts a galaxy described as far, far away in the distant past, and it commonly portrays Jedi as a representation of good, in conflict with the Sith, their evil counterpart. Their weapon of choice, the lightsaber, is commonly recognized in popular culture. It is arguably a cinematic masterpiece, holding in rank two of possibly the greatest trilogies the world has ever seen. It is a timeless epic which embodies within it an allegory for the history of the world; the rise and fall of empires and their emperors; the pursuit of power; the melting pot of cultures; the struggle for survival; the advancement of human technology; and most importantly as a whole, the history of humanity. Steven D. Graynus declared, “Ultimately, what the Star Wars films offer is….rousing storytelling suffused by themes of moral struggle and transcendence” (Decent Films Guide). The franchise's storylines contain many themes, with strong influences from philosophy and religio...

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...aders with power and leaders who can obtain power. Furthermore, Anakin also compares greatly with Macbeth in the sense that both characters ambition, leads to their ultimate demise. Moreover, the continuous use of both characters’ free will, drives the ultimate fate which both were prophesied for, in directions not expected and with speeds not anticipated.

Works Cited

Bates, Alfred. Drama and Opera; Their History, Literature and Influence on Civilization. London:
Athenian Society, 1909. Print.
Davis, Marion A. "A Brief Look at Feminism in Shakespeare's Macbeth." Student Pulse: The
International Student Journal 2009: n. pag. Print.
Greydanus, Steven D. "An American Mythology: Why Star Wars Still Matters." Decent Films Guide
n.d.: n. pag. Print.
IMDb. IMDb.com, n.d. Web.
Shakespeare, William, and John Wilders. Macbeth. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge UP, 2004. Print.

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