In Shakespeare's Macbeth and Hamlet many similarities and differences occur. In Hamlet, Hamlet's father was killed from poison put into his ear by his own brother. Hamlet sees his father's ghost and vows to seek revenge. In Macbeth, Macbeth wants to rule Scotland. Macbeth will stop at nothing to get the power he wants. At first his wife pushes him to kill then realizes the monster she has made. This paper will cover three of the similarities and differences of Macbeth and Hamlet. The three similarities are that both plays have a war, two of the main female characters go crazy and, both original kings die. The three differences are, the reasons that Macbeth and Hamlet kill, the way that Lady Macbeth influences Macbeth and Gertrude influences Claudius and, the different spiritual elements involved with the plays.
             The first similarity is that both plays have a war in them. In Macbeth the Scottish army is fighting the Norwegian army. We find out that the Scottish army is at war when a captain for the king's army comes in. The king says, "What bloody man is that? He can report, As seemeth by his plight, of the revolt The newest state." (1, 2, LL 1-3) The war in Hamlet is first shown when the soldier Francisco changes his guard position with Barnardo and Barnardo asks Francisco why they are standing guard out side the castle. Come to find out that ever since King Hamlet died King Fortinbras has been gathering troops to take back the land that he feels is his and is expected to attack at anytime.
             Another good similarity is that two of the main female characters go crazy. Lady Macbeth goes crazy in act V, scene 1 of Macbeth. Lady Macbeth walks around saying that she has to wash the blood off of her hands. Lady Macbeth says, "Out, damned spot! Out, I say! One: Two: why, then 'tis time to do't. Hell is murky. Fie, my lord, fie! A soldier, and afeard? What need we fear who knows...