Ukraine and Macbeth, are their similarities?

Shakespeare’s Macbeth is an archaic tale with everlasting applications; despite it’s age, a comparison can be drawn to numerous events. The New York Times recently published Rick Lyman’s article on the Ukrainian town of Mariupol; which is facing a threat from pro-russian rebel forces. Although, the events within Mariupol and it’s present danger do not fit perfectly within the context of Shakespeare's Macbeth, comparisons can be drawn between the themes and motives behind the story and the event. Overconfidence, for instance, is a theme that affected both the event and the story. In Macbeth, despite the witches warnings and the repetitive discussions of Banquo’s line of eirs, Macbeth fails to fear the principle of death in his dieing battle with Macduff. Similarly in the town of Mariupol, the people discovered that they had false confidence in their layers of defense as a swarm of rebel grad rockets tragically hit a school, killing thirty eight people. Connections between Macbeth and the events in Mariupol can also be made between the motives.

The murder of Macbeth and the rebel attacks on Mariupol can also be connected through their motivations; both are driven by revolutions from a current leader. In Mariupol pro-russian separatists are fighting to unite the lands of Ukraine with Russia because of a recent shift in power and independence within Ukraine. Within Macbeth, Malcolm is fighting the recent change in monarch, with the conviction that the Scottish Lands do not rightfully belong to Macbeth.  In both cases a rebellion occurs, one that is striving to separate rival control over lands and power. The themes and events Shakespeare uses within his work have recurring meaning over time and connections and similarities can be made to current events, especially in stories of war and conquest.