Shakespeare’s version of the story of Macbeth is outdated in modern society because one of the major themes, that all evil deeds are punished and that all good deeds are rewarded, is no longer true in today’s society. Macbeth’s theme is outdated because in the modern day society not all evil doers are punished for their actions and not all good actions are rewarded, either. The theme of the adequate consequences for one’s actions runs throughout Shakespeare’s Macbeth, assuring the correct punishments for Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, but also rewarding MacDuff and Malcolm for their brave actions against Macbeth.
The theme is visible when Angus says, “Now does he feel/His secret murders sticking on his hands/Now minutely revolts upbraid his faith-breach” (5. 2. 6-18), meaning that Macbeth is now feeling remorse and guilt for his actions and that the enemy is going to punish him for his evil actions against Duncan and Banquo. In modern society not every evil doer is punished or feels remorse for their actions, especially when they have power or have fixed a problem. In our society people can get away with a crime and not every good action is rewarded, whereas in Macbeth Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are punished by guilt and eventually death. Our society even can award evil doers and punish the good people.
The Essay on Macbeth Is the Most Evil Character in British Literature
Macbeth states, "False face must hide what the false heart doth know" (1. 7. 83). What this means is that the false face, or a lie, must hide what an impure heart is going to do. Right then and there, Macbeth has convinced himself that if he can get away with committing treachery, he can justify doing it. This event is crystal clear evidence of Macbeth becoming more and more evil. Macbeth also ...
Our society allows abortion, which in its nature is inherently evil, but our society doesn’t punish it, in fact the society has fifteen states that fund abortions. Even in our society when someone does something like Ryan Snodgrass, a twenty-eight year old guide who jumped into a river to save a thirteen year old who was drowning, and then was later charged with obstructing government operations and arrested, they can be punished for their actions, unlike in Macbeth where every action has the correct consequences.
Shakespeare’s plays can be seen as outdated in today’s society because one of its themes of all actions having consequences, but it is not the same case in modern day society, it can actually be seen as completely opposite. Shakespeare may be considered timeless by the fact that his plays and sonnets are beautiful and full of imagery and a good plot line, but the end message is outdated and can be seen as ‘cheesy’ because the society hardly ever works that way anymore.
