These two plays are very different. They represent stories of different epochs, different countries and main characters are of different age. Yet, they have lots in common because both Hamlet and Macbeth were written by one of the most well-known playwright in the world William Shakespeare.
First of all, both characters deal with supernatural forces at the beginning of the play. Macbeth deals with the three witches, who inform him that he is going to be the king. In Hamlet, the main character is told about the real reasons of his father’s death. In both cases appearance of the supernatural forces is very important for the plot of the play. Actually, it creates and moves the plot forward.
Another similar motif, which occurs in both plays, is the theme of mental illness. Both characters are considered to be mentally unhealthy. Hamlet becomes obsessed trying to find out justice and have revenge upon his father’s death. Macbeth, on the other hand, becomes totally inflated by the prophecy of the witches. He is ready to do anything to become the king.
Finally, the motif of ambition unites both main characters of the play. Hamlet is the son of the king, so he has to be the king after the death of his father. But Claudius, his uncle, does not want Hamlet to sit on the throne and therefore Hamlet is made to defend his rights. But Hamlet is young. He does not know whether he prepared or not to be the king. He doubts for the whole play and his death leaves the reader unfamiliar with his decision. On the other hand, Macbeth is sure about his ambitions. He wants to become the king and he kills the actual ruler of the country because his ambitions are higher for him than the moral laws.
