"Shakespeare's themes are as relevant today as they were when he wrote them." Discuss with close reference to the themes of Macbeth.

One of the hallmarks of Shakespeare's many plays is the
way that in them he is able to tap into universal themes, that are just as relevant in
today's world as they were in his own times. Also, what is notable is the way that his
plays can be performed in a number of different cultures and geographical locations and
still be just as relevant. I remember reading about a production of this play that was
set in an African tribe which lost nothing of its force or power in the way that it had
been adapted to fit this setting.

The central theme of this
brilliant tragedy is that of ambition and how pursuing it can corrupt us as humans and
make us become evil. Macbeth is taunted by the possibilities of the power he could
achieve and the kind of glory he could attain, which corresponds with his own ambition
and his desire for power. Note what he says in his famous soliloquy in Act I scene
7:

I have no
spur

To prick the sides of my intent, but
only

Vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps
itself

And falls on
th'other--

The dangers of
ambition and how it can lead us to jump so high that we metaphorically fall on the other
side of the horse we are trying to mount is a message that is just as relevant for
today's world as it was then, as it corresponds to being human and the dangers of
letting ambition drive us so strongly that we end up doing things that we either regret
doing later on or that we end up failing. This play therefore, is just as relevant
because of its themes today as it was then.