Skip to main content

Why does Macbeth still connect with modern audiences?

Although the time period may be old, the themes in Macbeth are just as relevant today. 


Shakespeare is still very popular today, as shown by the worldwide celebrations of the 400th anniversary of his birth and death. The reason Shakespeare's plays are so popular today is because they are written with engaging characters and memorable themes. Macbeth is still one of Shakespeare’s most performed plays. 


The play’s main themes focus on the importance of...

Although the time period may be old, the themes in Macbeth are just as relevant today. 


Shakespeare is still very popular today, as shown by the worldwide celebrations of the 400th anniversary of his birth and death. The reason Shakespeare's plays are so popular today is because they are written with engaging characters and memorable themes. Macbeth is still one of Shakespeare’s most performed plays. 


The play’s main themes focus on the importance of ambition and honor. These are timeless concepts. The audience watches two compelling characters, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, descend into madness. They go from ruthless murderers to guilt-written paranoids. 


Lady Macbeth is particularly intriguing. Before she desperately tries to get the spots off of her hands, she has lines like these:



Come, you spirits
That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here,
And fill me from the crown to the toe top-full
Of direst cruelty! make thick my blood;
Stop up the access and passage to remorse,
That no compunctious visitings of nature
Shake my fell purpose, nor keep peace between
The effect and it!  (Act 1, Scene 5)



Modern audiences love that Lady Macbeth is a strong woman. She is more ambitious and bloodthirsty than her husband. Lady Macbeth carefully plans the murder, scolding Macbeth when he doesn’t get all of the details exactly right.  Lady Macbeth is as cunning and ruthless as any of Shakespeare’s male characters.


The Macbeths are contrasted with two likable and honorable characters—Macduff and Malcolm. Macduff loses his entire family to Macbeth, and famously faces him down in battle. Malcolm wants to end Macbeth’s tyranny, but he does not act out of blind hatred or revenge. Macduff kills Macbeth for the good of his country.


If you haven't already, treat yourself to a live performance of this or any other Shakespearean play.  If you think Shakespeare is bland, boring, or inaccessible, going to one of the plays will change your mind. Like any play, Shakespeare is meant to be experienced live.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is the meaning of "juggling fiends" in Macbeth?

Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a... Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a sense of guilt, and that man tells him: Despair thy charm. And let the angel whom thou still hast serve...
Post a Comment
Read more

In Martel's Life of Pi, how does writing a diary help Pi Patel build on his leadership skills?

At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can... At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can do this by writing down events, problems and solutions, and reflections to look back on when confronted with repeated problems. It can ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Why did Tybalt attack and kill Mercutio instead of Romeo, who he had originally been targeting?

Though Tybalt's quarrel is with Romeo, he begins the momentous duel in Act 3 by fighting with and killing Mercutio instead. Tybalt ultimately attacks Mercutio because the garrulous and hot-headed character insults Tybalt and goads him into a duel to protect Romeo's honor. From the beginning of the encounter in Act 3, Scene 1, it's clear that Mercutio is itching for a fight. For instance, when Tybalt signals that he wants to talk to Mercutio... Though Tybalt's quarrel is with Romeo, he begins the momentous duel in Act 3 by fighting with and killing Mercutio instead. Tybalt ultimately attacks Mercutio because the garrulous and hot-headed character insults Tybalt and goads him into a duel to protect Romeo's honor. From the beginning of the encounter in Act 3, Scene 1, it's clear that Mercutio is itching for a fight. For instance, when Tybalt signals that he wants to talk to Mercutio and Benvolio, Mercutio responds "And but one word with one of us?/ Couple it w...
Post a Comment
Read more