The Sound And The Fury And Macbeth Analysis

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Between the two tragedies, William Shakespeare's play Macbeth and William Faulkner's novel The Sound and The Fury there are many striking similarities. Both of these tragedies show the struggle of good and evil. The characters in Macbeth and The Sound and The Fury, Macbeth and Quentin Compson show remarkable similarities, but they are unique in their way. This paper discusses how: (1) Quentin Compson and Macbeth show qualities of a tragic hero, (2) Quentin and Macbeth’s guilt leads to their downfall and finally (3) by the end both works of literature Quentin and Macbeth find time meaningless. The Sound and The Fury and Macbeth are two similar pieces of literature. One striking parallel between the two works is how both protagonists, Macbeth …show more content…

These are factors that contribute greatly to both protagonists’ downfall. Macbeth's guilt prevents him from fully enjoying his position as king. Macbeth's guilt begins to consume him, which starts the hallucinations and paranoia. Shakespeare emphasizes this when Macbeth hallucinates that Banquo is in his seat. “Re-enter GHOST OF BANQUO/: Avaunt! and quit my sight! let the earth hide thee!/:Thy bones are marrowless, thy blood is cold;/:Thou hast no speculation in those eyes/:Which thou dost glare with!”(3.4.94-98). It is obvious that the apparition of Banquo is the embodiment of Macbeth’s guilt, which is why he nearly reveals the truth about King Duncan’s murder. These hallucinations are all because of the burden of his guilt, which leads to his …show more content…

At the beginning of the play Macbeth has an optimistic view of time,“Come what come may, /:Time and the hour runs through the roughest day”(1.3.163-164). After hearing words that he will become king, he pushes the thoughts of killing Duncan to the back of his mind. After a period of self-doubt Macbeth decides to leave his fate to chance and that no matter what time will keep on going. However by the end of the play Macbeth realizes the inevitable passing of time in his famous soliloquy, saying, “Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow, /: Creeps in this petty pace from day to day” (5.5.22-3). The tone in his soliloquy is heavy and constant, emphasizing the burden of time. Macbeth says these words after hearing of Lady Macbeth’s suicide, so it makes sense that he is so distraught by time. This shows how Macbeth perceives time as cruel and

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