Lord of the flies Essay

This year we have read Macbeth by William Shakespeare, and Lord of the Flies by William Golding. Although they take place in different places and times, they still share many similarities. Much like our own lives, characters in both texts are faced with moral dilemmas and difficult decisions. However, when all factors are considered it is clear that man is portrayed as inherently good. This is demonstrated in Macbeth through Duncan’s kindness and Macduff’s loyalty. This is also shown in Lord of the Flies through Ralph’s perseverance and Simon’s conscience. Even in my own life, the people closest to me have shown that they always do the right thing. Clearly, man is naturally good. In William Shakespeare’s play Macbeth, is the first way in which man is portrayed as inherently good. Even though Macbeth’s ambition leads him to do terrible things, it is clear that man is still good. Duncan is a good king because he is loyal to his kingdom. This is shown through his character when he trusts all of the people in his kingdom this is a good character trait to have and shows that yes humans are naturally good. “There’s no art, to find the mind’s construction in the face. He was a gentleman on whom I built, An absolute trust” (Shakespeare, 1.4. 13-16). Another way Duncan shows his willingness to the kingdom is through his generosity. By showing he wants what is best for the kingdom showing that he isn't just worried about himself which further proves the point that humans are inherently good. “What bloody man is that? He can report, as seemeth by his plight, of the revolt. The newest state” (Shakespeare, 1.2. 1-3). Duncan and Macduff are two characters in the play that are loyal and care about human race. “Boundless intemperance, in nature is a tyranny. It hath been, the untimely emptying of the happy throne, and dall of many kings” (Shakespeare, 4.3. 80-83). These two characters show both kindness and loyalty when they are dealing with the kingdom and what they believed was the right choice for the good of the people. William Golding portrays man as good in Lord of the Flies is shown through Simons conscience because he is very cautious of what he and the others do. He tries to tell Jack and the Jorgen’s to not go hunting and to stay at keep and stay civil. Jack Doheny not listen Simon still tries to keep everything under control. “Someone's got to go across the island and tell Piggy we'll be back after dark." Bill spoke, unbelieving. Through the forest by himself? Now? We can't spare more than one. Simon pushed his way to Ralph's elbow. I'll go if you like. I don't mind, honestly.” (Golding, 7. 124-129). But throughout the book Golding’s portrays Simon’s conscience as one that seen many people as inherently good rather than evil. However, not all the characters are good in the book as Simon and Ralph show that people are inherently good. “I'm chief. We've got to make certain [that there is no beast]. Can't you see the mountain? There's no signal showing. There may be a ship out there. Are you all off your rockers?” (Golding, 6. 238). Ralph is an example of a good person in Lord of the Flies as he wants everyone to stay on the beach and wait for rescue. Ralph and Jack are two completely opposite characters as one is forming a tribe and the other is trying to control the others stuck on the island. “Shut up",”said Ralph absently. He lifted the conch. “Seems to me we ought to have a chief to decide things.” “A chief! A chief!” “I ought to be chief",” said Jack with simple arrogance, “because I'm chapter chorister and head boy. I can sing C sharp.” (Golding, 1. 229-231). For man to be deemed inherently good they cannot become savages and kill everything they see in front of them including their own friends. The real-world man is portrayed as good because for the most part people are civil and don't do wrong things only a few do bad things. This is established when making a made choice we look at the majority of people in the world and declare them are good, along with the choices they make. Humans are inherently good, this seen while looking around the halls of Markham District, we see many students that are good people. The ones that cause trouble are the ones with good intentions, but those plans do not always work out in their favor. The people that I am closest to have shown me that they are not only good people, but they make good decisions. People are inherently good this has to prove throughout both William Shakespeare’s Macbeth and William Golding’s Lord of the Flies and throughout our own lives that we have been shown that humans are inherently good. While reading both Macbeth and Lord of the Flies take place in different eras and have different settings, however, they share similarities. Like our own lives, these characters in both texts are faced with moral dilemmas and difficult decisions. With everything considered it is made clear that man is portrayed as inherently good, by the different character traits that are established in the characters.