Hamlet Vs. Macbeth: The Similarities and Differences

Hamlet vs. Macbeth: The Similarities and Differences

In William Shakespeare's plays Hamlet and Macbeth, there are many similarities, along with many differences. They are both Shakepearean tragedies, that use supernatural to attract the reader, and both have a hero with a tragic flaw. There are several similarities and differences that link the two plays together.

In the opening of each play, Hamlet and Macbeth both encounter the supernatural. In the first scene Hamlet, the ghost of Hamlet Sr. appears and approaches Hamlet. In the first scene of Macbeth, there are the three witches. When the reader thinks about the supernatural, they think about things that cannot be seen or isn't particularly real. In Macbeth, the witches are seen by anyone they approach, but in Hamlet the ghost is only seen by Hamlet and in one scene by the guards, Marcellus and Bernardo. The supernatural play a huge part in both plays. In Macbeth, the witches use their powers to tell Macbeth his future, and in Hamlet the ghost tells of what has already happened. In both plays, the supernatural lead to the downfall of both characters. In Macbeth, the three witches cause him to think and do evil things to gain power. If the ghost hadn't been present in Hamlet, Hamlet would have never known that Claudius killed his father to gain the throne. The supernatural eventually leads to the death of each character in the plays.

In both plays, they have supporting characters that tie the plots together. In Hamlet, Claudius, the King of Denmark, is directly related to Hamlet. Claudius is both Hamlet's uncle and step-father. In Macbeth, Duncan, the King of Scotland, is not directly related to Macbeth. This may not seem relavent but in both plays the main characters kill the king to get the throne, and in doing this it results in their own death. Horatio, in Hamlet, and Banquo, in Macbeth, show the same loyalty to their main character. They are both suspicious of the supernatural tellings. When Hamlet and Horatio witness the