Macbeth vs Mussolini : Comparing their dictatorships
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Course
English Language Arts
Institution
High School
Book
Macbeth
In this 5 page essay, I compared the rise and fall of Macbeth to the famous tyrant Benito Mussolini. I have compared and contrasted their similarities and differences and have shown how "Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it.".
Benito Mussolini: a more modern reflection of Macbeth
In the play Macbeth, we see how our protagonist goes through a great tragedy throughout
the story, due to his everlasting desire for power. From once being the Thane of Glamis, He rises
to become the king of Scotland and falls rapidly like many others that were once in positions
similar to power. In history, there are lots of mistakes that allow consequences to repeat
themselves, which can lead to more modern dictators to repeat and endure the same actions and
consequences as our leaders in our past. There have been countless dictators in the past that
abuse their power and have similarities to the actions Macbeth took, but one that undoubtedly
resembled Macbeth was Benito Mussolini, the 20th century’s first fascist dictator.
At the beginning of the play, Shakespeare thoughtfully creates the deception that
Macbeth was trustworthy and honourable, but once forced to make decisions under pressure, his
true character is revealed. As the play progresses, we see that Macbeth becomes more impatient
and ambitious. He was initially the Thane of Glamis, a title which was give to him by King
Duncan, but in Act 1 Scene 3, the three weird sisters come to Macbeth and Banquo with a
prophecy. The witches tell Macbeth and Banquo that Macbeth will become the Thane of Cawdor
and one day eventually become the new king of Scotland. The second witch announces, “All
hail, Macbeth, hail to thee, thane of Cawdor!” (1.3.51) and the third witch also saying, “All hail,
Macbeth, thou shalt be king hereafter!”. (1.3.52)
After hearing the witches’ prophecies, Macbeth questions what they claim to be true, and
eventually starts to believe them. Impatience and greed gets the best of him and he decides that
he wants to kill the king to inherit the position that king Duncan holds. His wife, Lady Macbeth
encourages and influences him to do this act by saying “It is too o’th’milk for human kindness to
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catch the nearest wave.” (1.5.18-19). Lady Macbeth is suggesting that Macbeth is not ambitious
enough or maybe even too cowardly to murder King Duncan. Lady Macbeth also states “Look
like th’innocent /flower,/But be the serpent under’t.” (1.5.56-58) motivating him more so to kill
him.
Benito Mussolini was an Italian prime minister who held his position from 1922 – 1943.
After the end of World War 1, Italy was weakened. Their economy was struggling severely due
to many casualties during the war and the rising unemployment rates. Also, their government led
by King Victor Emmanuel II was fragile and divided since they were not able to inspire their
people or establish proper leadership. In 1919, Mussolini began a fascist party, which was
supported by unemployed war veterans from the first world war. Supporters of Mussolini would
then become “Blackshirts”, armed squads that would support Mussolini’s movement. (Historic
Figures: Benito Mussolini – BBC) Since Italy was in this vulnerable state, Mussolini suggested
that Italy would need a leader that would dictate their country, someone that would face their
“economic and political crisis”. (“Benito Mussolini.” – Foot/Hibbert). Mussolini wanted
someone that would completely alter and transform their country stating, “a man who is ruthless
and energetic enough to make a clean sweep.”. A few months later, Mussolini publicly hinted
that he would be qualified to be the leader of Italy, the one that would transform Italy’s
plummeting economic system. Mussolini’s rise to power has similarities that can be interpreted
from Macbeth’s story. For one, Mussolini was trying to figure out how he could become the
leader of Italy. He realized that he would have to find a way to dethrone the current king, King
Victor Emmanuel II, just like Macbeth had to find a way to dethrone King Duncan. Since
Mussolini gained attention and support from the people of Italy, King Victor Emmanuel II
allowed Mussolini to create a government. With this power, Mussolini then continued to
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