Surprising parallels: How Foundation is similar to Macbeth: Salvor's guilt and internal conflict

In the episode "Long Ago, Not Far Away" of the series Foundation, one of the key characters, Salvor, experiences a profound sense of guilt and internal conflict. This conflict can be compared to the character Macbeth from Shakespeare's renowned play, as both face moral dilemmas and struggle with the consequences of their actions.From the summary, it is evident that Salvor feels guilty for not stopping Glawen from carrying out the order to bring down the Invictus. This remorse can be attributed to her role as a protector and her strong sense of moral responsibility. Similarly, Macbeth experiences guilt and remorse after he is manipulated into committing heinous crimes, including the murder of King Duncan.Salvor's guilt weighs heavily on her conscience because she is aware that her actions have led to devastating consequences. The guilt arises from her failure to prevent Glawen from executing the order, which ultimately results in the loss of innocent lives. In Macbeth, the protagonist experiences intense guilt as well, triggered by the knowledge that he has killed a virtuous and honorable king to fulfill his ambition.Both Salvor and Macbeth also grapple with internal conflict stemming from their choices and actions. Salvor's internal conflict revolves around her duty to protect the Foundation and her personal beliefs. She is torn between her loyalty to her people and her guilt for not being able to prevent Glawen's tragic decision. Macbeth, on the other hand, battles with his own conscience as he becomes increasingly consumed by his ambitions and the crimes he commits to achieve them.Furthermore, both characters experience a sense of moral ambiguity. Salvor questions her own choices and wonders if there was anything she could have done differently to prevent the loss of life. Similarly, Macbeth begins to question the legitimacy of his actions and realizes the consequences of his ruthless pursuit of power.Salvor's guilt and internal conflict also parallel Macbeth in their psychological impact. Both characters are haunted by their actions and experience hallucinations or visions. Macbeth famously sees the ghost of Banquo, a friend he had murdered, while Salvor's guilt manifests in her feeling responsible for Glawen's tragic actions.In both instances, the characters' guilt and internal conflict have a profound effect on their mental and emotional well-being. They struggle with the weight of their decisions, leading to feelings of remorse, self-doubt, and internal turmoil.Finally, it is worth noting that both Salvor and Macbeth's experiences are interconnected with broader narratives. Salvor's guilt and internal conflict in Foundation occur amidst a larger battle between the Foundation and the Empire. Similarly, Macbeth's guilt is situated within the context of a power struggle for the Scottish throne. In both cases, the personal struggles of the characters intertwine with the larger conflicts and themes explored in the respective narratives.In conclusion, Salvor's guilt and internal conflict in the episode "Long Ago, Not Far Away" of Foundation draw a parallel with Macbeth from Shakespeare's play. Both characters face moral dilemmas, experience intense guilt, and grapple with the consequences of their actions. These similarities, along with their psychological impacts and interconnection with larger narratives, highlight the universal theme of guilt and internal conflict in storytelling, transcending time and mediums.