Macbeth and Gladiator - 1379 Words

Shakespeare powerfully focuses on the negative consequences of ambition in the text Macbeth and in the film Gladiator directed by Ridley Scott and how it can lead to ones downfall. Macbeth is shown as the noble hero by the King after slaying the Thane of Cawdor and claiming victory in the war for Scotland, while Ridley Scotts Gladiator portrays Maximus as the noble hero but still not comparing to Macbeth like Commodus does in the film. Shakespeare effectively focuses on the cynical repercussions of ambition in Macbeth and how it can lead to ones failure. Macbeth is shown as a wellborn protagonist after being regarded as Noble Macbeth by the King of Scotland, King Duncan after slaying the Thane of Cawdor and winning†¦show more content†¦Macbeth is slain as a tyrant and Lady Macbeth takes her own life. Shakespeare does not give either character the opportunity to enjoy what they had achieved, suggesting that it is more satisfying to achieve your goals fairly than to achieve th em through corruption. Ridley Scott powerfully focuses on the negative consequences of ambition in Gladiator and how it can lead to ones downfall. Using a similar storyline to Shakespeares Macbeth he uses similar character structures but also giving them many differences. Commodus ambition begins after he kills his father Emperor Marcus Aurelius because he feels that his father did not love him enough and becomes the Emperor of Rome. Marcus says that Commodus is not a moral man and that he cannot rule. Commodus is the Macbeth character in Gladiator but is still not the main character. The main character in the film is Maximus who resembles Macduff in the film. While still being shown as a great fighter, Commodus is also shown in the film as a bit of a coward, after Maximus wins the war for Rome, Commodus shows up late to the victory celebrations acting as if he wasn’t even aware of a war even existing. Quickly after being crowned as Emperor of Rome, Commodus becomes disliked by the Senate and the people of Rome and seen as a pathetic leader. Commodus uses the ambition to be like his father to create barbaric fights in the Coliseum. Hell bring them death and they will love himShow MoreRelatedA Review of Gladiator Essay668 Words   |  3 PagesA Review of Gladiator Hail Caesar, and the return of the Roman Empire. From Quo Vadis to Spartacus, Hollywood has enjoyed a long and fore filling relationship with the sword-and-sandals epics and Ridley Scott (Alien Blade Runner), has released a monumental spectacle; managing to make this forgotten genre bigger, better and more bloody than ever before. Ridley Scott shines as a director through Gladiator. Not only has he managed to create the multiple plotsRead MoreTeaching Violent Behavior Through TV Essay examples2905 Words   |  12 Pageswhy is there violence on television if it has such a negative impact on those who are exposed to it?   Well, simply put, violence is a popular form of entertainment.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   A crowd of onlookers enjoys a street fight just as the Romans enjoyed the gladiators.   Wrestling is a popular spectator sport not only in the United States, but also in many countries in the Middle East.   People enjoy combat between animals, e.g. cock fights in Indonesia, bull fights in Spain, and dog fights in rural areas of this