The Common Theme in Books

In Macbeth, the hero is brought out in Macduff when he kills Macbeth, bringing prosperity back to Scotland. The murder of Macbeth shows how Macduff wanted to protect his country and avenge the death of his family. Macduff’s heroic actions are appealing to the readers because in the real world, people do try to avenge their losses just as Macduff did. His decision to rise up against Macbeth shows the theme of the underdog going up against the bigger opponent, in this case, it is Macduff going against Macbeth, in which the underdog rises above the challenge.

Just as Macduff overcame Macbeth, Winston attempts to do the same in 1984. In this case, Winston is going up against the Party, looking to prove their corruption to Oceania. Winston realizes the flaws in the government, and sees how the Proles are continuing to have their lives controlled by the Party. Winston is appealing to the readers because of his passion he shows when he attempts to unravel the truth about the Party. Though Winston fails in his attempt to overthrow the Party, the readers feel sympathy for him, and again the theme of an underdog against a bigger opponent is demonstrated with Winston and the Party.

Similar to Winston and Macbeth, the novel Beowulf brings the courage of Beowulf against the dangerous monster, Grendel. Beowulf goes into Denmark to protect the village from Grendel, who has been ravaging through the town. He shows that he is a hero when he defeats the monster, and in another battle, he takes down the mother of the monster. Beowulf continues his heroic efforts when he destroys the evil dragon, and ends up defending the village from all dangers. Beowulf relates to society today because he is standing up for the village, just as people, such as American soldiers, defend against the dangers in society.

The novels, 1984, Beowulf, and Macbeth have survived through history because of their appeal to the readers. The common connection of a hero defending what is right and going against a bigger opponent has given readers the hope and inspiration that they can apply in their everyday lives. When reading a book, a person is looking to take something out of the book, whether its an idea or a moral, people looks for books to provide them with inspiration and hope, and these three novels are all inspirational to the readers. Whether its Macduff defeating Macbeth, Winston battling the Party, or Beowulf overthrowing Grendel, people look at these situations and apply them to their lives, taking the courage from all these men into their everyday lives.