JOURNAL ARTICLE

Hitler, Stalin, and Shakespeare's Macbeth: Modern Totalitarianism and Ancient Tyranny.

  • Published In: Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society, 2025, v. 166, n. 3. P. 61 1 of 3

  • Database: Historical Abstracts with Full Text 2 of 3

  • Authored By: MUSHAT FRYE, ROLAND 3 of 3

Abstract

The article examines the parallels between modern totalitarianism, exemplified by Adolf Hitler and Joseph Stalin, and the ancient tyranny depicted in Shakespeare's play "Macbeth." It highlights the immense human suffering caused by both regimes, with estimates of deaths ranging from forty to fifty million due to their oppressive policies and genocidal actions. The author draws comparisons between the tyrannical behaviors of Hitler and Stalin and the character of Macbeth, emphasizing themes of deception, cruelty, and the psychological toll of power. The analysis suggests that Shakespeare's insights into human nature and tyranny remain relevant in understanding the atrocities committed by these historical figures. [Extracted from the article]

Additional Information

  • Source:Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society. 2025/09, Vol. 166, Issue 3, p61
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Literature and Writing
  • Publication Date:2025
  • ISSN:0003-049X
  • DOI:10.1353/pro.2025.a970764
  • Accession Number:188658080
  • Copyright Statement:Copyright of Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society is the property of University of Pennsylvania Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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