How Shakespeare Predicted the Future

One aspect of Shakespeare's works that makes him the “GOAT” is his understanding of human nature and behavior. The tragedy of Macbeth captures the rise and fall of the King of Scotland, Macbeth. As he descends into a position of kingship and superior political status, Macbeth consistently murders those who stand in his way of power and threaten him maintaining said power. Upon meeting with three witches and seeing a prophecy of Macduff and his family rising into multiple positions of kingship, Macbeth sees a threat to his power. His next move is to order the killing of Macduff’s entire family and attempts to kill Macduff himself. This act of murder in the name of self preservation is directly correlated to Kim Jong Un’s slaying of his uncle, Jang Song-Thaek, and his family. After being suspected and convicted of conspiring to usurp Kim of his power, Thaek was executed, and so was his family and the majority of his extended family. Both Macbeth and Kim Jong-Un committed acts of murder and violence against those close to them in order to preserve their position of power.

Kim Jong Un and Macbeth are similar in the respect that they both hold substantially high positions of power. Kim Jong-Un has been known to enjoy numerous luxuries and pleasures as the leader of North Korea. Macbeth sacrificed his virtue by killing King Duncan and suffered hauntings and even hallucinations during his rise to power. Both Kim and Macbeth valued their positions of power, because such a high status is rare to come by in each of their respective worlds. Kim was lucky enough to be born into a high status, while Macbeth worked hard and committed crimes to become king. By attaining high political status, anything could be given to them with a flick of their wrist, which is a life that so few people are able to experience. They both understand that they are in a coveted and rare position, which is why they are both willing to preserve their power through the most effective method that exists: murder. Both Kim and Macbeth had achieved something so valued by themselves and others in this world, and in the name of greed and self preservation, the lives of others, be it a close friend like Macduff or an Uncle, came after protecting their own way of life and power.