Macbeth and Pi Essay
Sheahan Prabhu
Ms. Bancheri
ENG - 3U1
November 29th, 2010
Macbeth and Pi's Gradual loss of Morals Yann Martel's novel Life of Pi and Shakespeare's tragic play Macbeth reveal certain similarities, when juxtaposed. These two texts display the gradual loss of morals between the characters of Macbeth and Pi. This is conveyed through specific events within the two books, such as Macbeth and Pi's lust to kill, their guilt and themselves going crazy, will articulate the loss of their morals. The following analysis will discuss these themes extensively. Macbeth and Pi Patel portray their gradual loss of morals through their lust to kill. Macbeth's reason for killing is for power. For instance, Macbeth's lust to kill is demonstrated when he lists the advantages and disadvantages for killing the king (Shakespeare, I.vii.1-28). This is one of Macbeth's soliloquy, he spends a lot of time deciding whether to kill Duncan. In this example Macbeth knows that there are more disadvantages of killing the king than advantages. So, Macbeth hesitates a lot because it is his first murder. Another example is illustrated, when Macbeth convinced the murderers to execute Banquo (III.i.77-75). Macbeth wants to kill Banquo because, he wants to stay the king of Scotland, and he also knows that Banquo's descendants will be kings, which was prophesised by the three witches. Even though Banquo is Macbeth's best friend, Macbeth is suspicious of Banquo because he thinks Banquo knows that he killed the king; he decides to kill Banquo by hiring murderers. Macbeth's hesitations is greatly reduced, when comparing it to Duncan. Another example of Macbeth's lust to kill are his plans to kill Macduff and his family (IV.i.142-155). Macbeth wants to kill Macduff's family because he finds out from the three witches to beware of the Thane of Fife, Macduff. Due to this, Macbeth decides to kill Macduff and everyone in his castle to ensure his reign as the king of Scotland continues. As for Macduff,
Ms. Bancheri
ENG - 3U1
November 29th, 2010
Macbeth and Pi's Gradual loss of Morals Yann Martel's novel Life of Pi and Shakespeare's tragic play Macbeth reveal certain similarities, when juxtaposed. These two texts display the gradual loss of morals between the characters of Macbeth and Pi. This is conveyed through specific events within the two books, such as Macbeth and Pi's lust to kill, their guilt and themselves going crazy, will articulate the loss of their morals. The following analysis will discuss these themes extensively. Macbeth and Pi Patel portray their gradual loss of morals through their lust to kill. Macbeth's reason for killing is for power. For instance, Macbeth's lust to kill is demonstrated when he lists the advantages and disadvantages for killing the king (Shakespeare, I.vii.1-28). This is one of Macbeth's soliloquy, he spends a lot of time deciding whether to kill Duncan. In this example Macbeth knows that there are more disadvantages of killing the king than advantages. So, Macbeth hesitates a lot because it is his first murder. Another example is illustrated, when Macbeth convinced the murderers to execute Banquo (III.i.77-75). Macbeth wants to kill Banquo because, he wants to stay the king of Scotland, and he also knows that Banquo's descendants will be kings, which was prophesised by the three witches. Even though Banquo is Macbeth's best friend, Macbeth is suspicious of Banquo because he thinks Banquo knows that he killed the king; he decides to kill Banquo by hiring murderers. Macbeth's hesitations is greatly reduced, when comparing it to Duncan. Another example of Macbeth's lust to kill are his plans to kill Macduff and his family (IV.i.142-155). Macbeth wants to kill Macduff's family because he finds out from the three witches to beware of the Thane of Fife, Macduff. Due to this, Macbeth decides to kill Macduff and everyone in his castle to ensure his reign as the king of Scotland continues. As for Macduff,
Bibliography: * Martel, Yann. Life of Pi. Harcourt, New York, 2001. * Shakespeare, William. Macbeth. Oxford University Press, London, 1977.