Have you realized many people who are dishonest never win in the end? This idea is clearly shown in Shakespeare’s play Macbeth and in Coldplay’s song “Viva la Vida.” There are many parallels between both pieces, which include a leader’s dishonesty, influences and demise.
Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are conniving characters. Throughout the play they murder others to secure the position as king on the throne. First, they kill Duncan, the current king. Lady Macbeth begins the crime by framing his guards. Macbeth continues and kills Duncan, however, he is reluctant to smear blood on the guards, so she does it herself. Subsequently, the others are surprised to find Duncan dead. To keep his secret, he acts as though he is unaware of the situation. “I go and it’s done. The bell invites me. Hear it not, Duncan, for it is a knell That summons thee to heaven or to hell” (Act II, Scene I). When Macbeth is alone, he expresses his feelings and his guilt in a soliloquy. He hallucinates and sees a dagger, a symbol of his guilt, before himself. This deception can also be heard in Coldplay’s song “Viva la Vida.” “once you go there was never an honest word And that was when I ruled the world” (“Viva la Vida” 18-19). This is similar to Macbeth. The leader of the song was
never honest. 
Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in the 2010 adaptation of Macbeth
Lady Macbeth is an accomplice of her husband, Macbeth. She assists him in killing people on and off the throne. Without Lady Macbeth, he would not have a queen or someone to create a deceptive plan. When she dies, the perfect plan of deceit plummets. After her death, he expresses his feelings in another soliloquy. “Out our brief candle, life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player That struts and frets his hour upon the stage And then is heard no more. It is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing” (Act V, Scene V). Macbeth believes his life is now insignificant without her. He has no desire for power and has no one to command him on what to do. “Just a puppet on a lonely string Oh, who would ever want to be king?” (“Viva la Vida” 30-31). The ruler in the song is also commanded by others. The decisions are not solely made by him. In Macbeth’s case, Lady Macbeth is his puppeteer and controls his actions. She encourages him to become king even when he is hesitant and not as passionate about it.
Album cover of Viva la Vida
The fade to end of “Viva la Vida” is parallel to the fall of Macbeth’s power and demise. As the song progresses, the background music gets louder and more forceful, creating a sense of strength, while the singer describes the leader’s journey. Macbeth is seen as a strong character. In reality, he is weak because of his need of reassurance he will keep the throne. In the middle of the song, the music is the loudest, reflecting his peak in power. At the end, the lyrics and sounds begin to repeat themselves and start to fade. “He’s worth no more They say he parted well, and paid his score, And so, God be with him. Here comes newer comfort” (Act V, Scene VII) Macbeth finally falls to macduff after a life of dishonesty. Macduff enters the scene holding his head and Siward exclaims that Macbeth is dead. Now that he is dead, the chaos is over and, all of his crimes and accusations are settled.
Macbeth and “Viva la Vida” have many similarities . Both protagonists seem powerful through being dishonest and killing others to win the throne. They both are forced by others to rule, and their power dwindles at the end of each piece. These aspects are included in many other songs, showing how dishonesty is never the answer and how it will be harmful to one’s power, as well.
Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in the 2010 adaptation of Macbeth
Lady Macbeth is an accomplice of her husband, Macbeth. She assists him in killing people on and off the throne. Without Lady Macbeth, he would not have a queen or someone to create a deceptive plan. When she dies, the perfect plan of deceit plummets. After her death, he expresses his feelings in another soliloquy. “Out our brief candle, life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player That struts and frets his hour upon the stage And then is heard no more. It is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing” (Act V, Scene V). Macbeth believes his life is now insignificant without her. He has no desire for power and has no one to command him on what to do. “Just a puppet on a lonely string Oh, who would ever want to be king?” (“Viva la Vida” 30-31). The ruler in the song is also commanded by others. The decisions are not solely made by him. In Macbeth’s case, Lady Macbeth is his puppeteer and controls his actions. She encourages him to become king even when he is hesitant and not as passionate about it.
Album cover of Viva la Vida
The fade to end of “Viva la Vida” is parallel to the fall of Macbeth’s power and demise. As the song progresses, the background music gets louder and more forceful, creating a sense of strength, while the singer describes the leader’s journey. Macbeth is seen as a strong character. In reality, he is weak because of his need of reassurance he will keep the throne. In the middle of the song, the music is the loudest, reflecting his peak in power. At the end, the lyrics and sounds begin to repeat themselves and start to fade. “He’s worth no more They say he parted well, and paid his score, And so, God be with him. Here comes newer comfort” (Act V, Scene VII) Macbeth finally falls to macduff after a life of dishonesty. Macduff enters the scene holding his head and Siward exclaims that Macbeth is dead. Now that he is dead, the chaos is over and, all of his crimes and accusations are settled.
Macbeth and “Viva la Vida” have many similarities . Both protagonists seem powerful through being dishonest and killing others to win the throne. They both are forced by others to rule, and their power dwindles at the end of each piece. These aspects are included in many other songs, showing how dishonesty is never the answer and how it will be harmful to one’s power, as well.
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