Conflict in Macbeth and Animal Farm

In George Orwell’s ‘Animal Farm’ and William Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’ the theme of conflict is presented in a variety of ways. ‘Macbeth’ is essentially concerned with tyranny and corruption, whereas ‘Animal Farm’ illustrates the conflict experienced during a period in Russian history, through the strategic use of animals. Animal Farm is a political allegory of Russia or any other Communist utopia that has eventually crumbled. Macbeth is a guy who becomes obsessed with power. He does not begin with vision of a Scotland for all thanes and peasants. We can draw parallels between Macbeth (the guy) and Napoleon. Both seek power in absolute terms and both become absolutely corrupt. Their obsession becomes mixed with a paranoid killing spree of anyone that they feel threatened by. Animal farm is very much a symbol of the manipulation and breakdown of society while Macbeth is restricted to one man's insecurities and obsessions. The form that conflict takes in the two texts ranges from internal conflict to a conflict of ambitions. In any case, conflict affects the characters greatly. Therefore, the aim of this essay is to explore the ways in which Orwell and Shakespeare present conflict through the use of characterisation, language and plot. It will also be necessary to consider what conflict ultimately leads to in both texts.

In George Orwell’s ‘Animal Farm’ and William Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’ the theme of conflict is presented in a variety of ways. ‘Macbeth’ is essentially concerned with tyranny and corruption, whereas ‘Animal Farm’ illustrates the conflict experienced during a period in Russian history, through the strategic use of animals. Animal Farm is a political allegory of Russia or any other Communist utopia that has eventually crumbled. Macbeth is a guy who becomes obsessed with power. He does not begin with vision of a Scotland for all thanes and peasants. We can draw parallels between Macbeth (the guy) and