Themes and Relevance in Society
Ambition
Ambition is the most obvious theme seen in Macbeth. We see ambition run amok in both Macbeth and his wife, who try so hard to fulfill their desires, that they
completely change themselves. For example, Macbeth goes from a good, loyal and honset general into a murdering maniac. Ambition eventually destroyed Macbeth, and the quote on the art piece on the left shows how Macbeth used his ambition, and how his ambitious personality was so dangerous, and destructive.
Lady Macbeth was overly - ambitious, too. Once Lady Macbeth gets her wishes granted, saying "come, you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here, and fill me from the
toe – top – full of the direst cruelty. Make thick my blood," she fills with
guilt, as her emotions catch up to her. (to see more about this, go to the Responses and Motives page and try the quiz!)
Macbeth shows the destruction caused by Macbeth's desire for power, which plays a major role in how he reacts to the witches' prophecies. This relates to our lives today, as like Macbeth, many people aren't happy with what they have - they only want to attain power to attain more. Both today and in the Tragedy of Macbeth, ambition overthrows morals.
completely change themselves. For example, Macbeth goes from a good, loyal and honset general into a murdering maniac. Ambition eventually destroyed Macbeth, and the quote on the art piece on the left shows how Macbeth used his ambition, and how his ambitious personality was so dangerous, and destructive.
Lady Macbeth was overly - ambitious, too. Once Lady Macbeth gets her wishes granted, saying "come, you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here, and fill me from the
toe – top – full of the direst cruelty. Make thick my blood," she fills with
guilt, as her emotions catch up to her. (to see more about this, go to the Responses and Motives page and try the quiz!)
Macbeth shows the destruction caused by Macbeth's desire for power, which plays a major role in how he reacts to the witches' prophecies. This relates to our lives today, as like Macbeth, many people aren't happy with what they have - they only want to attain power to attain more. Both today and in the Tragedy of Macbeth, ambition overthrows morals.
Fate
Both Banquo and Macbeth question fate and whether it is real or not and whether they just let it pass or if they have to do something for it to work.
Fate can be acted upon in different ways and that was shown in Macbeth, as Macbeth himself, tries to make fate into what he wants and not 'what is meant to be'. Although Banquo doesn't act upon fate, and does not try to master it.
Doing what Macbeth did, put him in a position where he can only go downhill. He focusses so much on the prophecies that he becomes delusional and ultimately destroys himself.
This theme definitely relates to today, as so many people try and plan their future and believe they know what they will be doing in a decade, but in many circumstances, they end up doing something very different. When those like Macbeth, who stubbornly think that they know what is best for them, try to change their future, it puts them in strife as it may not be the best plan God, or fate has.
Fate can be acted upon in different ways and that was shown in Macbeth, as Macbeth himself, tries to make fate into what he wants and not 'what is meant to be'. Although Banquo doesn't act upon fate, and does not try to master it.
Doing what Macbeth did, put him in a position where he can only go downhill. He focusses so much on the prophecies that he becomes delusional and ultimately destroys himself.
This theme definitely relates to today, as so many people try and plan their future and believe they know what they will be doing in a decade, but in many circumstances, they end up doing something very different. When those like Macbeth, who stubbornly think that they know what is best for them, try to change their future, it puts them in strife as it may not be the best plan God, or fate has.
Violence
There are many battles in Macbeth, in fact, there features the murder of men, women and children; not to mention suicide and beheading!
Macbeth shows that once one violent act is done, it only leads to another, and this does not stop. This means, violence usually does not fix anything. In Macbeth, as soon as his ambition took over and he became a serial murderer, it didn't turn out well in the end - Macduff killed Macbeth.
This is similar to many problems of society today, especially in teenage boys. Many people believe physical violence is the only way to fix their problems, which actually, it will most likely only cause a bigger one. Fights can never end up good - someone will always come out of it second best, and the other may even be caught out by the police or teachers! This leads to my next point, masculinity.
"Dispute it like a man I shall do so, but I must also feel it as a
man, I cannot but remember such things that were most precious to me." This
is a quote from Macbeth (4.3.26) where Macduff is ready to prove he is the more
'manly' one of both him and Macbeth. Even Lady Macbeth is willing to become more masculine so Macbeth can become king, shown in the quote under Ambition.
Like Macbeth, Macduff and Lady Macbeth, people nowadays still 'need' to prove their masculinity by violence, especially teenage boys, and that is why the theme of violence is so relevant in today's society.
Macbeth shows that once one violent act is done, it only leads to another, and this does not stop. This means, violence usually does not fix anything. In Macbeth, as soon as his ambition took over and he became a serial murderer, it didn't turn out well in the end - Macduff killed Macbeth.
This is similar to many problems of society today, especially in teenage boys. Many people believe physical violence is the only way to fix their problems, which actually, it will most likely only cause a bigger one. Fights can never end up good - someone will always come out of it second best, and the other may even be caught out by the police or teachers! This leads to my next point, masculinity.
"Dispute it like a man I shall do so, but I must also feel it as a
man, I cannot but remember such things that were most precious to me." This
is a quote from Macbeth (4.3.26) where Macduff is ready to prove he is the more
'manly' one of both him and Macbeth. Even Lady Macbeth is willing to become more masculine so Macbeth can become king, shown in the quote under Ambition.
Like Macbeth, Macduff and Lady Macbeth, people nowadays still 'need' to prove their masculinity by violence, especially teenage boys, and that is why the theme of violence is so relevant in today's society.
Nature and the Unnatural
It is evident that the play, Macbeth, shows the connection between nature and the unnatural world. When Macbeth becomes a destructive maniac, the natural world becomes frantic too - storms rage, earthquakes shake, and animals join Macbeth as maniacs too. This emphasises the destruction that Macbeth and his wife do.
Other supernatural things that are present in the play include the battle at the end of Macbeth, where Macbeth believes he is invincible because of the witches' prophecies suggesting he is safe from 'almost anything'. Although ironically, even though the witches predicted he would be safe until Birnam Wood reaches Macbeth's castle, the forest actually does move to Dunsinane, and Macbeth is killed by Macduff because he is not 'of woman born'.
Have you ever really thought why Macbeth is relevant in today's society? As well as the reasons involved with the themes, shown above, Macbeth is relevant because of teenagers and kids like you! You're reading this, I suspect, to get information for your class tasks and assignments, or because you want a deeper understanding of Macbeth simply because you enjoy it. And the reasons why we still study Macbeth is because the plots, themes and characters, even though were created so long ago, are still relevant in society today!
Other supernatural things that are present in the play include the battle at the end of Macbeth, where Macbeth believes he is invincible because of the witches' prophecies suggesting he is safe from 'almost anything'. Although ironically, even though the witches predicted he would be safe until Birnam Wood reaches Macbeth's castle, the forest actually does move to Dunsinane, and Macbeth is killed by Macduff because he is not 'of woman born'.
Have you ever really thought why Macbeth is relevant in today's society? As well as the reasons involved with the themes, shown above, Macbeth is relevant because of teenagers and kids like you! You're reading this, I suspect, to get information for your class tasks and assignments, or because you want a deeper understanding of Macbeth simply because you enjoy it. And the reasons why we still study Macbeth is because the plots, themes and characters, even though were created so long ago, are still relevant in society today!