Comparison of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth
to Adam and Eve
In one of the most famous stories of all time, even the most privileged of human beings made mistakes of ambition. Thousands of years later, this theme of aspiration to attain something greater than what you already have is revisited in a classic play, Macbeth. Adam and Eve were greatly respected by God, as they lived in paradise. While in the Garden of Eden, they made an irreversible mistake that would eventually doom all of mankind. Their sin was one of great ambition. From the similar themes, to the basic concepts of each, the story of Adam and Eve and Macbeth closely follow the message of each: beware of your desires and take caution to others manipulation.
In the first book of the Bible, Genesis, Adam and Eve were highly esteemed and had a great relationship with God. They ruled over all animals and had sovereignty over their entire domain. They only had rule that God told them: “You can eat from any other tree in the garden, except from the Tree of Knowledge.” For this reason, it was called the “Forbidden Tree.” Many believed that this tree would move them even closer to the likeness of God, only needing to each from the Tree of Life to be immortal. God told them if they would eat from this tree, they would be thrown out of the Garden of Eden and be kept from paradise. Nonetheless, Adam and Eve were tempted by a very sly and cunning animal, the serpent. He told Eve that she surely won’t die if she eats from the tree, as God promised she would. The serpent tells her that it would make her resemble God and his knowledge. Then, after Eve had eaten from the tree, she gives some of it to Adam. Immediately, they recognize that they are naked and gain a greater sense of awareness, realizing their mistake.
This famous narrative coincides with many things that happen throughout Macbeth. Macbeth was a highly regarded soldier and nobleman of Scotland, along with his wife, Lady Macbeth. After battle, Macbeth encounters the Three Witches and learns that he is prophesied to be king. Duncan crowns Malcolm next in the line of succession to the throne, so Macbeth discerns that the only way to become king is to kill Duncan. While Adam and Eve go behind God’s back and disobey him, this could be equated to Macbeth going behind Duncan’s back and murdering him. Just as Adam and Eve’s ambition to become more like God endangers them, Macbeth, and even Lady Macbeth’s aspiration to the throne imperils them. Not only does this theme of desire occur throughout both stories, but also the exploitation by the women to tempt the men to do the deed is prevalent. Lady Macbeth hears of the Witches’ prophecies and wants to Macbeth to be king just as bad, or even more, than Macbeth does. Similarly to Eve telling Adam to eat from the tree, Lady Macbeth greatly influences Macbeth to kill Duncan, even questioning his manhood. The story of Adam and Eve closely resembles Macbeth through the reoccurring motifs of ambition and manipulation.
In the timeless play of the rise and fall of Macbeth, there are many connections to the story of the first humans, Adam and Eve. Similar themes and motifs occur throughout each, representing a greater message. Both were very privileged, but were greedy for even more power. The rash actions of each set of people provided severe consequences. Because of this, both are cautionary tales which resemble similar ideas and concepts.
In the first book of the Bible, Genesis, Adam and Eve were highly esteemed and had a great relationship with God. They ruled over all animals and had sovereignty over their entire domain. They only had rule that God told them: “You can eat from any other tree in the garden, except from the Tree of Knowledge.” For this reason, it was called the “Forbidden Tree.” Many believed that this tree would move them even closer to the likeness of God, only needing to each from the Tree of Life to be immortal. God told them if they would eat from this tree, they would be thrown out of the Garden of Eden and be kept from paradise. Nonetheless, Adam and Eve were tempted by a very sly and cunning animal, the serpent. He told Eve that she surely won’t die if she eats from the tree, as God promised she would. The serpent tells her that it would make her resemble God and his knowledge. Then, after Eve had eaten from the tree, she gives some of it to Adam. Immediately, they recognize that they are naked and gain a greater sense of awareness, realizing their mistake.
This famous narrative coincides with many things that happen throughout Macbeth. Macbeth was a highly regarded soldier and nobleman of Scotland, along with his wife, Lady Macbeth. After battle, Macbeth encounters the Three Witches and learns that he is prophesied to be king. Duncan crowns Malcolm next in the line of succession to the throne, so Macbeth discerns that the only way to become king is to kill Duncan. While Adam and Eve go behind God’s back and disobey him, this could be equated to Macbeth going behind Duncan’s back and murdering him. Just as Adam and Eve’s ambition to become more like God endangers them, Macbeth, and even Lady Macbeth’s aspiration to the throne imperils them. Not only does this theme of desire occur throughout both stories, but also the exploitation by the women to tempt the men to do the deed is prevalent. Lady Macbeth hears of the Witches’ prophecies and wants to Macbeth to be king just as bad, or even more, than Macbeth does. Similarly to Eve telling Adam to eat from the tree, Lady Macbeth greatly influences Macbeth to kill Duncan, even questioning his manhood. The story of Adam and Eve closely resembles Macbeth through the reoccurring motifs of ambition and manipulation.
In the timeless play of the rise and fall of Macbeth, there are many connections to the story of the first humans, Adam and Eve. Similar themes and motifs occur throughout each, representing a greater message. Both were very privileged, but were greedy for even more power. The rash actions of each set of people provided severe consequences. Because of this, both are cautionary tales which resemble similar ideas and concepts.
