Is Macbeth Relevant Today

If something is too old, does that mean it is not relevant anymore? The dreadful play Macbeth, written by William Shakespeare in the sixteenth century, has created a lot of controversy towards the issue that it is not relatable to a modern audience anymore. However, the themes, and character traits found in Macbeth are very similar and relatable to a modern society. The play Macbeth, demonstrates humanity, which will never change, attesting to the fact that, the play is still relatable to a twenty-first-century audience.

Firstly, the play demonstrates many different themes, which are relatable to a modern audience. The main theme in this play is that ambition destroys people. In the play, Macbeth states to the murderers, “’ [b]oth of you/

They would just be lazy, and not want to be better. However, too much ambition has many negative impacts, which we learned from Macbeth. People today would not be determined to kill a king, but they might want to be best in their class or have a higher job position. Many people who are told they can be greater, have a surge of ambition, which causes them to become blind to reality. The ambition of succeeding this goal causes them pain in the end, just like Macbeth. Ambition is good, it is motivation for people to do what they want, but too much ambition has many negative impacts as we learn from Macbeth. A modern audience, similar to Macbeth, wants to be better, and be more ambitious. This shows that Macbeth is still relevant today, because people can still relate to being over ambitious, even though the scenario may not be the same. Another important theme is, guilt can overpower bravery. After killing King Duncan, Macbeth felt very guilty and states, “[w]ill all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood / Clean from my hand? No, this my hand will rather / The multitudinous seas incarnadine, / Making the green one red" (2.2.77-79). Many

If chance will have me king, why, chance / may crown me /Without my stir” (1.3.149-156). A lot of people believe that life is already put together for them by a supernatural power. They think their actions, and decisions are made by that supernatural power. In Macbeth, the supernatural powers were the witches, however, in a modern society the supernatural power depends on one’s religion. The supernatural power in Macbeth, is not relatable to a modern audience, yet, the concept of believing that no one has power over their own life is still the same. This similarity helps the audience relate to Macbeth, as many of us believe that fate controls us. In addition, another theme demonstrated in Macbeth is, power corrupts judgment. After Lady Macbeth finds out about the prophecies she says, “Glamis thou art, and Cawdor; and shalt be /What thou art promised. Yet do I fear thy nature; /It is too full o' th' milk of human kindness…Hie thee hither, /That I may pour my spirits in thine ear” (1.5.14-295. Everyone wants power, it is a common goal that many people strive towards, but many people do not accomplish this goal. Power has many positive and