Comparative Essay Example: Macbeth by Shakespeare and the Road Not Taken by Robert Frost

Macbeth written by Shakespeare and the road not taken by Robert frost both have many similarities in their message and theme. Macbeth was an honored warrior who worked himself up to a king. During this journey he encountered many problems and made questionable decisions. He struggled with fate and free will and even doubted himself many times. The poem “The road not taken” might not be written in the same medium as “Macbeth”, though it shares many similar ideas. The speaker in “The road not taken” sees two roads and contemplates which road to take. During this process he does doubt himself a bit and wonders if it’s a good idea to take the road less traveled by. Both pieces of literary work describe the path each character takes and factors that affect their journey. 

Choosing your own path is a common theme for both literary texts. The journey of contemplating which choices should be made and why. Certain factors also affect this decision. The Witches in Macbeth reveal a prophecy in which he is said to become king. Throughout the story, Macbeth is constantly making decisions that will ultimately pave a path to his ending. In “The Road Not Taken” the speaker is traveling and comes across two roads; one road is taken more often than the other. And they both look a bit different. The speaker apologizes that he cannot choose both { Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both. And be one traveler, long I stood}, This shows that he will be forced to make a decision. The road less traveled by is grassier and not taken by many people which at first, leads him away from it.  Both characters decisions are affected by these factors. 

Fate and free will is a theme also seen in both mediums. The difference of believing that one can make their own decisions versus their decisions being already planned out for them. Macbeth is influenced by witches who tell him that he will eventually become king. This made him believe that it was already going to happen, slightly justifying his reasons for murder. While the speaker, when facing both paths chooses the road less taken rather than the one most travelled by. He had the choice to choose one of both, even with the influence of knowing more people prefer one over the other. Macbeth did also have the choice to prevent murder, although combined with Lady Macbeth’s commanding and the witches’ prophecies he ultimately fell victim to his perception of fate and free will. “If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me. Without my stir.” (act 1 scene 3, 147-149) This line from Macbeth further shows his understanding of fate and free will. 

Both characters at some point doubt their decisions and take a moment to think back. Macbeth considers if he should kill the king one more time before doing so. While the speaker Both characters in the story come across a point in which they need to make a decision. Macbeth needs to choose whether or not he will go through with killing the king and his friend Duncan. While the speaker in “the road not taken” must choose which path he wants to take.