Shakespeare and Chopin - 1095 Words

In one of the William Shakespeare’s greatest plays, Macbeth, we can see an influence years later in Kate Chopin’s novel The Awakening. At the end of the tragedy Lady Macbeth folds under the pressure paralleling some the burdens Edna Pontellier suffers from. Many of Lady Macbeth’s personalities are reflected in Edna. Through the suicidal acts taken by both characters at the conclusion of the books, we can see the how Lady Macbeth influenced Chopin. Macbeth also has a great influence upon the personality of Edna. Edna has a similar battle, hers being between society and her desire to fulfill her sexual desires and be independent. Theses unwritten rules of society determine the fate for both of these characters. Clearly Chopin has taken†¦show more content†¦Macbeth also has some paralleling qualities reflected in Edna that are discovered during Act V Scene 5 of Macbeth. In Shakespeare’s famous quote, â€Å"To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow, Creeps in this petty pace from day to day to the last syllable of recorded time And all out yesterdays have lighted fools The way to dusty death.† (Shakespeare 177), Shakespeare conveys a dim reality that nothing is worth living for anymore. Enda Pontellier finds herself in the same situation at the end of The Awakening, with a melancholy existence and nothing left to live for: â€Å"There was no despondency when she fell asleep that night; nor was there hope when she awoke in the morning.†(Chopin146). She goes through the motions the last few days before she makes her trip into the deep seas. Macbeth lives his last few hours with a sense of hopelessness, which Chopin entwines as a basic sentiment for Edna. Another similarity can be seen between Macbeth and Edna through their similar desires. Macbeth’s desires of becoming king are inspired by the three withes. Robert arouses Edna’s desires to engage in sexual activity. Macbeth and Edna both these desires that go against the norm of society. In order for Macbeth to rise to king he must murder King Duncan, which the society does not consider to be moral. In Act V Scene 5 we see a defeated Macbeth, as he was able to overcome or live above the rules of society.Show MoreRelatedAnalysis Of The Story Of An Hour By Kate Chopin895 Words   |  4 PagesIrony and Foreshadowing in Story of an Hour In the short story, Story of an Hour, Kate Chopin chronicles the short journey of a woman who has recently learned of the death of her husband from a railroad accident. Kate Chopin is known for her stories which revolve around women and the world from their perspective, and Story of an Hour is no exception. As a writer, Chopin utilizes and employs many rhetorical devices to add emotion and depth to her world. 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