Brave New World And Hamlet Comparative Analysis

Throughout the world moral and spiritual corruption is found everywhere. Many fall victim to it but some use it as a learning experience. Both Aldous Huxley and William Shakespeare display the affect corruption has on societies through Brave New World and Hamlet. The want to be welcomed by others around drives characters towards decisions they would not make otherwise. Both authors, to show a lack of care and affection to those who need it incorporate pain and suffering. Spiritual corruption is displayed through Hamlet and John because both men struggle with their inner thoughts. In both pieces of literature, love is an instinct that is taken away by the views of society. Although both Huxley and Shakespeare show causes and effects
Bernard Marx, one of the protagonists in Brave New World, is an Alpha Plus who is considered an outcast because of his bad reputation. His views are different from most Alpha Plus’ around him; he is not like the majority of Alpha Plus’ and is penalized because of it. “They say he doesn’t like Obstacle Golf…He’s so ugly!...And then so small…They say somebody made a mistake when he was still in a bottle” (Huxley 50-51). Dealing with these comments pushes him to strive for his best, but is rejected by his peers. Much like Bernard Marx, Polonius is looking for the approval of Cladius and Hamlet. Although Hamlet constantly makes fun of Polonius, Polonius goes along with it. Hamlet tells Polonius “conception is a blessing, but as your daughter may conceive – friend, look to’t” (II, ii, 184-186). Polonius then responds with a remark to change the conversation: “What do you read, my lord?” (II, ii 191). Polonius is willing to do anything to please Hamlet and is more worried about what Hamlet thinks of him. Both Bernard and Polonius are outcasts but unlike Bernard, Polonius has no plan to stick up for
In the society of Brave New World, the emotion of love has become non-apparent. The citizens believe that “everyone belongs to everybody else”. John, a man raised at the savage reservation has many different views than others in society. He still believes in love, and that a man and a woman are meant to be together. When he meets Lenina, who is immoral like the rest of society, he falls in love with her. But, Lenina doesn’t feel the same way. This crushes him and later he takes his anger out on her at his sanctuary at the lighthouse: “’Strumpet!’ The savage had rushed at her like a madman. ‘Fitchew!’ Like a madman, he was slashing at her with his whip of small cords” (Huxley 229). Like John, Hamlet gets his heart broken from the woman he loves. Polonius tells Ophelia she is no longer allowed to see Hamlet because of what the king has told him: “I would not, in plain terms, from this time forth/ Have you so slander any moment leisure/ As to give words or talk with the Lord Hamlet” (I, iii, 133-135). Although Hamlet is devastated he learns that he cannot trust woman and now views them as “snakes”. Unlike John, Hamlet now realizes whom he can trust and whom he