Frankenstein and Macbeth Comparative Essay
Sutharsan Raguram
Ms. Andreopoulos
ENG 3U1
Friday, May-04-12
“Power as a Corrupting Force in Frankenstein and Macbeth” Power as a corrupting force has been present from the beginning of time and is often revealed in many works of literature. In the novel Frankenstein by Marry Shelly and Macbeth by William Shakespeare, corruption of power is well brought forth in the characters in both texts. In both stories, characters reveal power as a corrupting force through their thirst of knowledge. Characters also reveal power as a corrupting force through character change. In addition, the character’s action justify how corrupted they really are. Therefore, power corrupts the individuals because of character’s extreme ambition which leads to their demise. Victor, Macbeth and the monster’ extreme ambition gets them seek for knowledge that leads to gaining power which corrupts them leading to their demise. Macbeth is a very good nobleman because of his loyalty to Scotland and during the battle he defeats Macdownald, Norway and the Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth’s thirst for knowledge and extreme ambition originates when he is walking and sees the witches for the first time. Witches tell Macbeth, “All hail Macbeth, hail to thee, Thane of Glamis. All hail Macbeth, hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor. All hail Macbeth that shalt be king hereafter.” (1.3.45-50) Macbeth’s extreme ambition is driven by the information he obtains from the witches which give him power. The information gives him power because he is given a prediction on the future which gives him a very accurate anticipation Raguram 2 on what is to come so he can act upon it for his own selfish reasons. As soon as the prophecy, the first thing that crossed his mind is to kill Duncan whom is king of King of Scotland. Macbeth knows he has to kill Duncan so he “Shalt be king hereafter.” Duncan Visits Macbeth’s castle, while Macbeth and his wife Lady Macbeth plan to kill Duncan. The couple’s
Ms. Andreopoulos
ENG 3U1
Friday, May-04-12
“Power as a Corrupting Force in Frankenstein and Macbeth” Power as a corrupting force has been present from the beginning of time and is often revealed in many works of literature. In the novel Frankenstein by Marry Shelly and Macbeth by William Shakespeare, corruption of power is well brought forth in the characters in both texts. In both stories, characters reveal power as a corrupting force through their thirst of knowledge. Characters also reveal power as a corrupting force through character change. In addition, the character’s action justify how corrupted they really are. Therefore, power corrupts the individuals because of character’s extreme ambition which leads to their demise. Victor, Macbeth and the monster’ extreme ambition gets them seek for knowledge that leads to gaining power which corrupts them leading to their demise. Macbeth is a very good nobleman because of his loyalty to Scotland and during the battle he defeats Macdownald, Norway and the Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth’s thirst for knowledge and extreme ambition originates when he is walking and sees the witches for the first time. Witches tell Macbeth, “All hail Macbeth, hail to thee, Thane of Glamis. All hail Macbeth, hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor. All hail Macbeth that shalt be king hereafter.” (1.3.45-50) Macbeth’s extreme ambition is driven by the information he obtains from the witches which give him power. The information gives him power because he is given a prediction on the future which gives him a very accurate anticipation Raguram 2 on what is to come so he can act upon it for his own selfish reasons. As soon as the prophecy, the first thing that crossed his mind is to kill Duncan whom is king of King of Scotland. Macbeth knows he has to kill Duncan so he “Shalt be king hereafter.” Duncan Visits Macbeth’s castle, while Macbeth and his wife Lady Macbeth plan to kill Duncan. The couple’s
Cited: Shakespeare, William. Macbeth. New York: Oxford University, 1977. Print Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft. Frankenstein. New York: Bantam Books, 1981. Print.