The Great Gatsby and Macbeth
By Alex D'Addabbo
This blog post focuses on the comparison between The Great Gatsby and Macbeth, but more specifically the relation between Lady Macbeth and Daisy Buchanan. Lady Macbeth and Daisy Buchanan posses many of the same traits, but also differ in many ways. Both woman come off as innocent and sweet to those around, but in reality they are both shallow and selfish. Daisy gave up true love for money and power. She stayed married to an infidel of a man to keep her position is high society. Lady Macbeth turned to the murder of her king to ensure her status in the hierarchy. They both reap the benefits of their husbands positions.
Where they differ is in their relationships with men. Daisy obeys to her husband even though she knows of his infidelity. Lady Macbeth uses manipulation to control Macbeth. She uses her cleverness to overpower Macbeth's kind nature. The Great Gatsby is based on people emotions whereas Macbeth is more focused on positions of power and whatever it takes to get it. Macbeth also hones in on the psychological element of committing these crimes has on people. Lady Macbeth goes absolutely insane after the murder whereas Daisy Buchanan has no qualms about cheating on her husband.
There are murders in both of works of literature. In the Great Gatsby, Daisy accidentally hits her husbands mistress with a car; killing her on impact. She again felt nothing about committing this crime and she and her husband even rekindled their love again. After the murder of Duncan, regret and guilt slowly begin to creep up on Lady Macbeth. Throughout the story she transforms from someone who could kill their child with ease to a woman who is empathic and remorseful.
These woman are alike yet very different. Their lifestyles and time era's are what differentiate them. Deep down they are one in the same, woman with a second agenda. These are the type of ladies one should never trust.
This blog post focuses on the comparison between The Great Gatsby and Macbeth, but more specifically the relation between Lady Macbeth and Daisy Buchanan. Lady Macbeth and Daisy Buchanan posses many of the same traits, but also differ in many ways. Both woman come off as innocent and sweet to those around, but in reality they are both shallow and selfish. Daisy gave up true love for money and power. She stayed married to an infidel of a man to keep her position is high society. Lady Macbeth turned to the murder of her king to ensure her status in the hierarchy. They both reap the benefits of their husbands positions.
Where they differ is in their relationships with men. Daisy obeys to her husband even though she knows of his infidelity. Lady Macbeth uses manipulation to control Macbeth. She uses her cleverness to overpower Macbeth's kind nature. The Great Gatsby is based on people emotions whereas Macbeth is more focused on positions of power and whatever it takes to get it. Macbeth also hones in on the psychological element of committing these crimes has on people. Lady Macbeth goes absolutely insane after the murder whereas Daisy Buchanan has no qualms about cheating on her husband.
There are murders in both of works of literature. In the Great Gatsby, Daisy accidentally hits her husbands mistress with a car; killing her on impact. She again felt nothing about committing this crime and she and her husband even rekindled their love again. After the murder of Duncan, regret and guilt slowly begin to creep up on Lady Macbeth. Throughout the story she transforms from someone who could kill their child with ease to a woman who is empathic and remorseful.
These woman are alike yet very different. Their lifestyles and time era's are what differentiate them. Deep down they are one in the same, woman with a second agenda. These are the type of ladies one should never trust.
I like the connection you made with how both are murders and show no remorse for the people that have been killed. Something to look at would be how their actions affected them in the long term. For example, Lady Macbeth is driven mad and kills herself because she eventually is overcome by the guilt of killing Duncan. This is show as the essential tragedy part for Lady Macbeth. It would be interesting to see how this parallels in regards to Daisy and how she ends up dealing with killing someone, even if it was something that was not fully intentional.
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