Crime and Punishment vs. Macbeth

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Bibi King

ENG 4U7

October 19, 2009

Macbeth V.S. Raskolnikov

Cari Williams once said, in a poem, “The fall from grace is steep and swift, and when you land, it does not make a sound, because you are alone."  Both Raskolnikov and Macbeth undoubtedly experience a fall from grace, they are parallel, anti heroic figures who initially consider themselves to be “extraordinary” human beings, entitled to transgressing moral law, and overstepping boundaries for the cause of a greater good, thus feeling justified in their intentions to commit murder. However, neither are able to deal with the repercussions of their crime, tortured by guilt, fear, and self destruction. In truth, neither protagonists are “Napoleonic figures”, a stark realization that both protagonists eventually come to make, that   “ the real Master to whom all is permitted” does not become so swallowed by guilt or fear, but holds their head high, because the ordinary laws/rules do not apply to them. Both Shakespeare and Dostoevsky explore the theme of human capacity for evil in their novels, and it is evident that despite the parallelism in their self misjudgment, Macbeth and Raskolnikov are very different: Macbeth is initially a noble, loyal servant to the king, but the prophecy made by the Weird sisters of his kingship convince him that it is his fate, and rightfully so, to become king. After much hesitation he murders King Duncan, yet guilt and paranoia overcome him absolutely, causing him to murder more innocent people. However, his guilt does not lead to repentance, even after the suicide of his wife. instead, the assurance of the Witch’s’ prophecy make him defiant in his fight for the throne, even to the point of war. It is this defiance, this blind faith in the prophecy which eventually leads to Macbeth’s downfall. He is killed by Macduff, Thane of Fifes in a gruesome battle, finally defeated and punished for his crime.

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