The Moment of Recognition in “Macbeth” and “Hedda Gabler”
The Moment of Recognition in “Macbeth” and “Hedda Gabler” The drive to succeed, to have power, and to be in control are forceful things. So powerful that they can blind people – corrupt one's ambitions and morals, and make them walk straight off the path of success they planned for themselves. As seen in “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare, and “Hedda Gabler” by Henrick Ibsen the urge for power, control, and success can overcome one's better judgement. The two plays tell a tragic story about the characters from whom each play gets its name. For both Macbeth and Hedda the impulse of their desires is what in the end leads them to their most unfortunate downfall and moment of recognition. Through these sovereign desires found in both Macbeth and Hedda it will be proven that with such strong emotional desires one's true ambitions and morals will be lost, and this will ultimately bring upon their greatest downfall. Evidently, it can be said that who someone is, and what character traits they posses can help determine their future. But what happens when these traits are manipulated and transfigured as the result of an impossibly great desire? This is seen when both Macbeth and Hedda struggle with significant changes within their moral selves as they are both upset with a life they have every reason to be happy about. Macbeth and Hedda want more, and are willing to do anything to find happiness in the lives they are so “sadly” living. Macbeth is an ethical and ambitious young general who comes to have extremely corrupt thoughts as a result of a prophecy contrived by three witches that becomes true. The witches predicted that Macbeth would be given the position as the Thane of Cawdor, and later they predicted he would be the King of Scotland. Because the fist prophecy became true so easily, Macbeth could not help but believe what the witches had to say this time about him becoming king, and Macbeth's corrupt thoughts turned into actions. Macbeth began killing