Vol. 8, Issue 1, Part B (2026)

This study explores how cultural identity is constructed and represented in the works of William Shakespeare and Chinua Achebe. Through close textual analysis of Hamlet, Macbeth, and Things Fall Apart, the research examines how literature reflects social values, historical context, and linguistic practices. Shakespeare’s plays illustrate how individual identity is shaped by social hierarchy, moral responsibility, and political authority in Renaissance England, while Achebe’s novel emphasizes communal traditions, ethical norms, and the impact of colonial disruption on personal and cultural identity. Language, narrative structure, and character behavior are analyzed to show how both authors embed cultural meaning in their works. Comparative analysis reveals that literature operates differently across historical and cultural contexts but consistently serves as a tool for preserving, questioning, and redefining identity. The study demonstrates that English literature, across time and geography, provides a critical framework for understanding the dynamic relationship between individuals, communities, and culture.