Oppressors of the Ages

Hong Kong vs. Scotland

Macbeth kills for control. His greed for power and fear of losing such power influence him to murder innocent individuals in the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare. The modern-day Chinese government maintains its strength by “disappearing” any people seen as a threat to its image. The question is do these similar practices result in similar outcomes for the two powers?

Macbeth is just like the Chinese government because he murders anyone who he views as an obstacle to his success. Macbeth, in particular, attempts to secure his rule when ordering the murder of Banquo and his son, Fleance. Macbeth, at the beginning of play, is told that Banquo’s son will succeed him as the king of Scotland, and he acts to divert this outcome. “To be thus is nothing, but to be safely thus. Our fears in Banquo stick deep, and in his royalty of nature reigns that which would be feared” (Mac. 3.1.50-53). Macbeth’s fear of losing power justifies, at least for himself, murdering Banquo. He views his leadership as useless if left unprotected and vulnerable. Later in the play, when told to be wary of the character Macduff, Macbeth once again responds with violence. “The castle of Macduff I will surprise. Seize upon Fife, give to th’ edge o’ th’ sword his wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls that trace him in his line” (Mac. 6.1.157-160). Macbeth targets his enemies and their families. While he does this to rid of all possible threats to him and his descendants’ rule, he nonetheless kills innocent people who never wronged him or took action against him. While Macbeth tries to maintain his influence by killing people such as Banquo and Macduff, he only seals his fate of losing influence. His fear of being left powerless becomes a reality after his subjects learn about Macbeth’s actions against his own people; thus, he is left with few supporters.

The Chinese government, similarly, in its constant pursuit for complete control, has killed and tortured its own people; such people are not murderers, robbers, nor gang members. These people, in some way, criticised the ruling authority and this cost them with suffering and, in some situations, their lives. In Hong Kong, five men disappeared after linked to a bookstore and publisher that were critical of Chinese leaders. Like how those with connections to Macduff are killed, people with an association to the bookstore in Hong Kong face a similar grim fate. The actions taken against citizens were supposed to deter further criticism, yet it only heightened the public’s rejection of the Chinese government. Large-scale protests were incited by the government’s own actions. Chinese authorities attempted to reduce any risk of losing power--this move not only targeted what many in the rest of the World would consider innocent people, yet it also made their fear a reality by bringing the government closer to losing its firm influence.

Hong Kong (with Chinese intervention) is an equivalent of Scotland under Macbeth’s rule: the two powers take action against their own people and both scenarios prove to have the adverse effect of what was planned. So, yes, both oppressors achieve similar outcomes that stemmed from a common fear--the fear of losing control.