Similarities Between Macbeth And Stalin

“Come what come may, time and the hour runs through the roughest day, (Shakespeare 1.3.153-154). After hearing the witch’s prophecy that he will become king, Macbeth pushes the thought of "murder", in which his wife placed, from his mind and says he won't harm King Duncan, his cousin, but will instead leave his future to "chance." Too bad that resolution doesn't last. Within the past two centuries, the world has seen a man with high authority, much like Macbeth, through Joseph Stalin, who used his power to exile and kill old party leadership. Even though Macbeth is simply a figure in the literary work of “Macbeth”, a tragedy written by Shakespeare in the 16th century and set in Scotland, his ambition was not far from that of Joseph Stalin, a horrific man who let millions of people die during his ruling of the Soviet Union from 1929 to 1953. Joseph Stalin was born Josef Vissarionovich Djugashvili on December 21, 1879 in Gori, Georgia. Both Macbeth and Stalin had unorthodox ways in which they rose to power, leading to an unhealthy ambition of

authoritative position and a subsequent downfall. Both men had increased similar strengths alongside numerous weaknesses, however the two weren’t alike in many ways. At their start, both Macbeth and Stalin grew up differently but eventually became very much alike as time progressed.
Stalin, living and ruling in the 20th century, was much different than the 11th century Macbeth. In Shakespeare’s play, Macbeth was a noble and valiant warrior. He was established by an officer as dominating the battlefield, ”For brave Macbeth-well he deserves that name-/ Disdaining fortune, with his brandished steel, / Which smoked with bloody execution, / Like valor’s minion carved out his passage” (Shakespeare 1.1.16-19). Before even becoming King of Scotland, Macbeth held a high position as the Thane of Glamis, and after the first battle in the tragedy, he is named the Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth is grateful towards King Duncan, his cousin, for being named Thane but eventually commits an act of ultimate disloyalty towards the king. Much unlike that of Macbeth, Stalin was not born into nobility. Son of a cobbler and a washerwoman, Joseph was a poor and frail peasant boy. He became increasingly involved in criminal activity in his early years, and joined Messame Dassey in 1898 to his devote time to the revolutionary movement. Having become involved in revolutionary politics, “Stalin set out to destroy the old party leadership and take control” (Joesph). Joseph Stalin did just that after Vladimir Lenin, the founder of the Russian Communist Party, died in 1924.
Being men of authority, both Macbeth and Stalin were spun onto paths which showed the world of their true strengths, and their underlying weaknesses. Macbeth had a thirst for power that even the title of Thane of Cawdor and Thane of Glamis couldn’t quench. His wife, Lady Macbeth, persuaded the killing of King Duncan so that Macbeth could take his place as King of Scotland. Macbeth lost his grip on humanity when he became king and had a taste of true power. Concerned for his own safety and security, Macbeth hires three hitmen to target and murder his close friend and comrade Banquo. Macbeth, being strung with guilt, proceeds to see the ghost of his old friend during a banquet. Lady Macbeth, seeing the expression on her husband's face, tells the guests, ”it, worthy friends. My lord is often thus and hath been from his youth. Pray you, keep seat. The fit is momentary; upon a thought He will again be well. If much you note him, You shall offend him and extend his passion. Feed and regard him not” (Shakespeare 3.4. 55-61) When Macbeth is later threatened by Macduff, he has Macduff’s wife and children killed as ambition slowly begins to consume his life, “give to th’ edge o’ th’ sword / His wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls / That trace him in his line” (Shakespeare 4.1. 151-154). Macbeth kills off Macduff’s family so that he has no heir and no one to love. Macbeth slowly becomes excessively prideful and over confident as his tragic flaw of ambition takes control of him entirely and becomes blinded by the idea of glory. Much like Macbeth, Stalin had strengths in which guided him to power, and weaknesses which eventually tore him down. Stalin is described as a, “Hearty Georgian who brought a dark eyed and iron willed presence to the Bolshevik party” (Rosenberg). He used his cunning persuasive ability and intelligence to rise in politics. Upon Vladimir Lenin’s death, Stalin rose to power as General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, and was effectively the Dictator of the State. Stalin used this new high power to kill many generals and others of high ranking in paranoia of being overthrown, and not wanting anyone to be close in power. This paranoia led to a Great Purge, “Stalin forced rapid industrialization and the collectivization of agricultural land, resulting in millions dying from famine while others were sent to camps” (Biography). This paranoia sent a once confident man into a downward spiral. Much like that of Macbeth, Stalin’s ambition led him to do inhumane and treacherous things.
The real tragedy of Macbeth and Stalin are their downfalls. Macbeth’s downfall is caused by the persuasions of Lady Macbeth, prophecies of the three witches, and his own actions. Macbeth’s sense of over-confidence and ambition sent him on his frightful and murderous journey to power. Killing many, Macbeth gained power but eventually started drowning in a sea of his own guilt. This path of destructiveness ultimately turns to karma as he is killed by Macduff at the end of the Shakespeare tragedy. Joseph Stalin also had a significant downfall. Stalin’s actions of treachery did not ease with age, he continued his purging and reigns of terror even in his later years. “He established communist governments throughout Eastern Europe, and in 1949 led the Soviets into the nuclear age by exploding an atomic bomb. In 1950, he gave North Korea’s communist leader Kim Il Sung (1912-1994) permission to invade United States-supported South Korea, an event that triggered the Korean War” (Joseph). Stalin’s heavy set of paranoia grew immensely within his last years, until his death on March 5, 1953 when he died of a cerebral hemorrhage, a type of stroke. The over-confidence and ambition both Macbeth and Stalin shared greatly impacted and added to their later downfalls.
Whether in recent history or simply 16th century literature, those in power search for one thing, more power.

Alongside money, Macbeth and Stalin showed the world that a root of all evil is power and authority. Both men serve to show and remind us that even throughout history, there are power seekers who will go against morality to gain the upper hand. Although Macbeth and Stalin led different childhoods, both men rose to power by killing innocent people. A tragic hero such as Macbeth or a brutal man such as Stalin fell due to their few strengths, excessive ambition and over confidence. The power hungry Macbeth is ultimately overthrown by his internal conflict, guilt, while Stalin fell due to his paranoia and death. Both Macbeth and Stalin’s actions serve to us as reminders that authority and power is a privilege and shouldn’t be taken for granted, because it could be taken away as easily as it was obtained or

given.