From “Romeo and Juliet” to “Hamlet”, almost everyone can say they’ve read at least one Shakespearean tragedy in their lifetime. While each play portrays its own array of unique characters and plot points, only one contains themes that still connect to today’s world. “The Tragedy of Macbeth” shows the consequences of blind ambition and unchecked power, while also bringing up issues on gender and the topics of masculinity.
For anyone who hasn’t had the pleasure of reading this famous play, the story follows the trials of a Scottish general named Macbeth. One day Macbeth is conveyed a prophecy by three witches, stating that he will eventually become the King of Scotland. The idea of this power consumes Macbeth leading him to do anything in order to ensure that he becomes King. His blind ambition and greed eventually lead to his downfall and the demise of many other characters as well.
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One of the strongest elements of this story are the uniqueness of the characters. Macbeth himself breaks the usual stigma of Shakespeare’s strong, leading male characters. Although Macbeth shows bravery and great ambition throughout the story, those attributes are seemingly overshadowed by his own self-doubt. Macbeth constantly questions his actions and decisions, even becoming so consumed by guilt he hallucinates seeing the ghost of Banquo, a general he subsequently murders in his quest for the throne. Perhaps, Macbeth’s weak character is shown best through the power his wife, Lady Macbeth, has over him. Which, for the time the story was written, is an almost implausible dynamic.
This brings up the great uniqueness of Lady Macbeth’s character as well. Shakespeare wrote the story of “Macbeth” during the seventeenth century, a time where women had no voice, especially when it came to their husbands. Lady Macbeth transcends the image of a strong female character, being tougher, more ambitious and even more ruthless than her husband. Her stronghold over Macbeth allows her to manipulate him into taking matters into his own hands to ensure his rise to power. Lady Macbeth sees the self-doubt and hesitation of her husband, leading her to go as far as to question his manhood, stating herself that she could make a better “man” than him. Her unwavering ideals, however, lead to actions that cause her steadfast guilty and ultimate demise. Lady Macbeth will forever go down as one of Shakespeare’s best-written characters.
Interestingly enough, Shakespeare in many ways wrote about themes that are still prevalent in today’s society. “Macbeth” does well to articulate subjects that are as rampant in the twenty-first century as they were in the seventeenth century. One of “Macbeth’s” most prominent themes relates to the idea of unchecked power and the consequences of blind ambition. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s blind ambitions lead them to commit acts of murder, and attempt to ensure their rise to power with violence. The play effectively demonstrates how once violent actions are used as means to gain power, it is difficult to overcome those vicious tendencies, always in fear of losing the power that one has gained.
Many of the themes expresses in “Macbeth” are quite timeless. The idea of “manhood” and what it truly means to be a man. The character of Macbeth shows that a true man is not one who succumbs to violence and ambition, but one who stands against those ideals and is willing to sacrifice for the greater good, like Macduff. Ultimately, The “Tragedy of Macbeth” portrays a picture of human nature at its weakest, but also at its finest; shown through the characters of Macbeth and Macduff.
Shakespeare has written an outrageous number of classics, but out of his tragedies “Macbeth” stands tall among the rest with its unique characters and timeless themes. “Macbeth” is a must read for any passionate reader or writer.
