Compare And Contrast Claudius And Macbeth

The Question on Everyone’s Mind, “Why’d They Do it”? Throughout all of Shakespeare’s famous tragedies, at least one villainous character is always present. The motivations, schemes, and outcomes for each villain have similar and varying characteristics. Claudius and Macbeth are both ultimately motivated by the idea of lasting power and commanding certainty over their future. Their insecurities materialize as villainous actions in order to accomplish their goals. In both plays, the villains are removed by and external, equalizing, righteous force. Macbeth and Claudius have similar and different motivations for power. Macbeth, is told his prophecy by witches that he will become royalty. By taking a violent path to gain power instead of a diplomatic …show more content…
Claudius’ scheme is fully foiled when his reaction to Hamlet’s play confirms what the ghost told Hamlet. Even though Hamlet is aware of the truth, Claudius still has the majority of the royal court on his side. Claudius devised a conniving plan through the manipulation of others to kill hamlet thus removing the final threat to his power. Claudius’s plan is ultimately his downfall when he is killed by a poisoned tipped sword and is forces fed poisoned wine. Sense of calmness is finally achieved once Hamlet’s body is carried off by Fortinbras’s men, Fortinbras promising Hamlet a warrior’s burial.
In conclusion, through the combination of similarities and differences in motivations, schemes, and outcomes, both Claudius and Macbeth both meet there demises. In both Macbeth and Hamlet, an external equilibrium force appears exist in both plays, creating a checks and balance situation to remove these villains from power once too much power has been taken. In each play, the equalizing force takes the form of a vengeful, righteous force sent to remove the tyrants from power. Seen in Macbeth as the English army and in Hamlet a combination of Hamlet himself and Fortinbras’s Norwegian