A Comparison Of Violence In Macbeth And The Kite Runner

The Hidden Meaning Behind Random Acts of Violence Shakespeare's Macbeth and Khaled Hosseini's The Kite Runner both contain scenes that are considered controversial, or "edgy". However, neither Shakespeare nor Hosseini intended for these scenes to be interpreted as pointless, random acts of violence. Both controversial scenes are thoughtfully developed and are vital to the theme and tone of their respective works. In Shakespeare's Macbeth, Macbeth attempts to consolidate his power by killing anyone that could challenge his claim to the throne. After he kills Duncan, Macbeth arranges the murder of a dear friend, Banquo. After Macbeth realizes that Macduff is a potential political adversary, he arranges the murder of Macduff's wife and children. Before Macbeth's hired murderer can arrive at Macduff's castle, a messenger arrives to warn Lady Macduff, saying "I doubt some danger does approach you nearly. If you will take a …show more content…
Macbeth does not gain any political advantage by having Macduff's family assassinated. They don't threaten Macbeth's legitimacy as a ruler,and they pose no threat to him. He only has them killed to hurt Macduff, who he believes to be a political adversary. Without this scene, Macduff wouldn't be motivated to seek revenge. After Malcolm's forces surround Macbeth's castle, Macduff challenges Macbeth, saying " Tyrant, show thy face! If thou best slain and with no stroke of mine, my wife and children's ghosts will haunt me still" (5.7.14-16). In addition, the murder of Macduff's family shows the reader the danger of power and ambition run amok. Before the witches planted the idea of power in Macbeth's head, he was a brave and loyal subject. Once he began to accumulate power, he ordered increasingly horrible assassinations, such as the pointless assassination of Macduff's