Relevance of Macbeth in the 21st Century - 9.16.15

     In Shakespeare’s Macbeth there are issues and situations presented that are seen even today in the twenty-first century. Issues and situations such as: corruption in power, war, and psychological issues are all evident throughout the entire play of Macbeth.

To begin, one of the first situations seen revolves around corruption in power, and deception. The witches, who obviously influence Macbeth in rising the ranks from Thane to King, but they deceive him by never saying how to go on doing so. Macbeth’s corruption of power could be seen in several of ways. “That I did kill them.” (2.3.125) In this quote Macbeth is saying that he killed the murderers of King Duncan, however, he never had the permission to kill them. Then again in act three scene one, Macbeth hires three murderers to execute Banquo and his son, Fleance, because Banquo had suspicions of what Macbeth was up to as the witches’ prophecies were fulfilled of him rising in the ranks. In order to connect power corruption to today’s modern society would be with the wealthy and their tax deductions and loopholes. Not everyone happens to know it is going on but we tend to let it slide as when Lady Macbeth fakes a faint when Duncan is found dead to steer the conversation away from why Macbeth killed the servants. 

     The very next example presented in Macbeth is war, and it is seen in the final act when rebel Scottish and English forces fight to overthrow Macbeth’s short reign as King. The English forces who are far more superior than Macbeth’s successfully overthrow Macbeth and his kingship. Personally, when this happened I thought of when Osama Bin Laden died in 2011 and it was a triumph for the American people as of what happened on the terrible day of September 11th. Another connection to modern day war also lies in the Middle East as there is devastatingly a never ending war there between many countries, all of whom have a general dislike for one another. 

     Now, onto some psychological issues throughout the play. They are seen in both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, and both revolve around the guilt that they have for the deeds they have committed. Macbeth has seen visions twice throughout the book, once in act two, and the second time in act three. The first vision that Macbeth has is of “A dagger of the mind, a false creation.” (2.1.50) In this instance Macbeth is approaching Duncan’s room and preparing to assassinate him and after the deed is done the guilt devours him, so Lady Macbeth has to take over and set up the scene to make it seem as if the servants were the ones who killed Duncan. The second vision that Macbeth has is after he sends three murderers to kill Banquo and his son. The vision is of a bloody ghost, that ghost being Banquo. Only Macbeth is able to see this ghost which goes to show that there is something actually wrong with him. In my opinion I would diagnose him with post traumatic stress disorder or possible psychotic depression. [I did a research paper on depression and other various types of depression last year] Next, we can go on to see an example of psychotic trauma to Lady Macbeth. In act five she is seen sleep walking, and while sleeping walking she washes her hands and talks to herself. Her washing her hands could show of how back when Duncan was killed that she feels some guilt for those actions and how her hands were also bloody from the act of helping killing him. To connect these examples of psychological issues to today’s modern era, it could solely revolve around PTSD and depression. PTSD is often seen in people who come out of war, or have done things that have affected them greatly. An example of something that could affect you greatly is the act of killing a man. So both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth have contributed to the act of killing a man, and in part with this they face the consequences of guilt, or just being partly scarred for life.

     In conclusion, Shakespeare’s Macbeth has show some similarities to today’s modern issues and situations such as corruption in power, war, and psychological issues that could be seen around the globe.