Napoleon and Macbeth

Napoleon and Macbeth have similar goals but both chose very different paths in reaching their goals. Napoleon is the kind of leader that is not very forward about his intentions and slowly secures his power with clever manipulation and propaganda. Napoleon enslaves the animals through mental manipulation, "all animals worked like slaves, but were happy in their work; they grudged no effort or sacrifice". (Animal farm page 12) He tricks the animals and preys upon their innocence. The commandments that napoleon set out in the beginning are often changed to benefit the pigs and when the animals question the pigs "squealer is able to convince them that their memories had been at fault". (Animal farm.pg 10)Napoleon revises these commandments whenever he wishes and as he changes these commandments he slowly converts the animals into slaves.Macbeth has the same basic goal as Napoleon and wishes to attain power and secure it. However he has very different methods, he uses violence and abuse to secure his power. After he does as he pleases to attain power Macbeth kills the king in cold blood who he had swore loyalty to, this clearly shows Macbeth treacherous character. Once again it is shown that Macbeth is willing to go to an extreme to attain power when he says "The Prince of Cumberland! That is a step on which I must fall down, or else o'erleap, for in my way it lies."(1. 4. 48 - 51) this shows that Macbeth is an extremist and will eliminate anyone for power. He feels his power is ultimate and he must answer to know one and can kill whoever he likes this characteristic can be seen when he says "With barefaced power sweep him from my sight" (3.1.120). Since Macbeth feels he is supreme he give the order "hang all who speak of fear" (5.3. 37) since he order to have people who did not commit any crime it once again shows that Macbeth does as he wants. Another example is when he has Malcolm's family murdered, these