Themes:
* Ambition and its consequences: Both plays explore the destructive power of unchecked ambition. Macbeth's ambition leads him to murder his king, while Hamlet's desire for revenge consumes him and ultimately leads to his downfall.
* The nature of reality and appearance: Both plays question the reliability of appearances and the difficulty of knowing truth. Hamlet grapples with the authenticity of the ghost's claims, while Macbeth is constantly haunted by hallucinations and illusions.
* Moral ambiguity: Neither play offers clear-cut heroes or villains. Both Macbeth and Hamlet grapple with moral dilemmas and make choices that have devastating consequences.
* The corrupting power of evil: Both plays explore the ways in which evil can spread and contaminate even the most virtuous individuals. Macbeth's ambition leads him down a path of destruction, while Hamlet's indecision allows evil to flourish.
Structure:
* Focus on revenge: Both plays center on the theme of revenge, albeit in different ways. Hamlet's revenge plot drives the entire play, while Macbeth's murder of Duncan is motivated by a desire for power that stems from a prophecy about his becoming king.
* Use of supernatural elements: Both plays feature supernatural elements that influence the characters' actions and decisions. The ghost in Hamlet and the witches in Macbeth play significant roles in shaping the protagonists' fates.
* Tragic heroes: Both protagonists are considered tragic heroes, flawed individuals who make fateful choices that lead to their downfall.
Style:
* Iambic pentameter: Both plays are written in iambic pentameter, the rhythmic pattern that Shakespeare used in most of his plays.
* Use of soliloquies: Both Macbeth and Hamlet famously use soliloquies, long speeches in which they reveal their innermost thoughts and feelings.
Other similarities:
* Both plays explore the themes of fate and free will.
* Both plays have strong female characters who influence the actions of the male protagonists. (Lady Macbeth and Gertrude in Hamlet)
* Both plays are considered to be among the greatest works of English literature.
While Macbeth and Hamlet differ in their plots and characters, their exploration of shared themes, structure, and style make them two of Shakespeare's most enduring and impactful tragedies.