Differences And Similarities Between Hamlet And 1984 By George Orwell

In all literary works the setting can add many layers to the story at hand and can create conflict that would not have otherwise been there in another environment. Whether it be culture, the way things are controlled, or weather, setting has a big part in whatever form of story they are featured in. In Shakespeare’s Hamlet the setting is the country of Denmark which is run by a monarchy in turmoil after the loss of its leader. Alternatively, the book 1984 written by George Orwell is set in the dystopian society of Oceania run by an oligarchy headed by a figure known as Big Brother (Orwell 184). Though these environments seem completely different, they do share some similarities in their means of control and state of order. In both Oceania …show more content…
Ever since the takeover of The Party Oceania has been in a constant state of unknowing and discord thanks to The Party themselves. The Party runs their nation in such a way that all documents and proof can be changed in the blink of an eye to keep their position as infallible leaders. If Big Brother mentions something that does not come to fruition he, or his people, will order for any documentation of the previous false statement to be altered so that he turned out to be right. The changing of documents is actually Winston’s job in the department of truth, with him receiving orders all throughout the day on what to alter to suit the Party. For example, Big Brother makes a promise about chocolate rations not changing but later on in the year back tracks his previous statement and Winston must rectify it: “As short a time ago as February, the Ministry of Plenty had issued a promise … that there would be no reduction of the chocolate ration during 1984. Actually, as Winston was aware, the chocolate ration was to be reduced from thirty grams to twenty at the end of the present week” (Orwell 39). One might think that the people of Oceania would catch on to the constant changes but they never notice due to their undying love for Big Brother: “It appeared that there had been demonstrations to thank Big Brother for raising the chocolate ration to twenty grams. And only yesterday, he reflected, it had been announced that the ration had been reduced to 20 grams a week” (Orwell 58). These people were completely convinced that Big Brother had raised the chocolate ration even though it was just announced that it was to be lowered. This constant changing of facts was something Winston could notice where his peers could not, and this awareness would bother him. In Winston’s personal rebellion he thought the truth was one of the