Comparing Texts 'A Simple Plan And Macbeth'

Every person establishes a set of morals, whether it comes from someone else or their own. But at times, there are moments when one's moral crumble and become nothing but the memory of the past. By comparing two texts, ‘A Simple Plan’ and ‘Macbeth’, wealth and power shows its true face and the hidden control it has over people. When both the main characters who live by a set of morals face a life changing dilemma, their morals are destroyed because it is something that is too good to be true to walk away from. The main characters who are so willingly wanting to become rich and powerful end up killing their subordinates or others unnecessarily. And in the end, it drives both Macbeth and Hank miserable and in vain making them choose some of the …show more content…
In order to kill the king, the notion of assassinating the King goes against the code of chivalry and infringes on Macbeth’s morals. In this instance, Macbeth presents the plan of the assassination to his wife, but debates between actually killing him or letting him live. Lady Macbeth, driven by the wealth and power that is right in front of her forces Macbeth to kill Duncan while they still have the chance. Before eventually killing the King, Macbeth attempts to abide to his morals and convince his wife, “We will proceed no further in this business. / [h]e [Duncan] hath honored me of late, and I have bought / [g]olden opinions from all sorts of people.” (Shakespeare 1.7.31-33) Lady Macbeth counters Macbeth's argument by saying he is not worthy of being called a man and ultimately manipulates Macbeth into committing the heinous deed. Lady Macbeth and Macbeth’s actions, both show how wealth and power has an effect on one’s morals. Similar to Macbeth’s decision, Hank makes a life-changing decision that will affect his life as well. When Hank, Lou and Jacob coincidentally find the stash of money in a plane, Hank proposes that they should turn the money in to the police because it is ethically the right thinking. Lou on …show more content…
Because of this, other subordinates and innocent people pay the price of death unnecessarily. After the successful killing of the king by Macbeth which was disguised by the excuse of the drunk gatekeepers, Macbeth is finally anointed as king. However, even as a king, Macbeth is still afraid that people will try to overthrow him. Hastily, he hires three foolish murderers to kill his best friend, Banquo who is a threat and his son, Fleance. This act is one the most immoral acts next to Macbeth killing the king, not only does Macbeth hire murderers to kill his best friend, he orders them to kill Fleance as well. In addition, from what the first apparition tells Macbeth, Macbeth is aware that he needs to eliminate Macduff. "... Beware Macduff. / Beware the thane of Fife..." (Shakespeare 4.1.70-72) Although Fleance escapes, Macbeth hires professional murderers to kill all towns people of Fife and kill Macduff. Unfortunate for Macbeth, Macduff is not at his residence but the murderers manage to kill Macduff’s family and everyone else. Similarly, Hank tries to eliminate Lou and use him as a scapegoat. Even though Lou may not look the toughest to handle, it takes Hank and Jacob a significant amount effort to eliminate Lou. After Hank and Jacob discuss how they can get away with the money, they try to get Lou drunk and turn him in to the police.

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