Netflix Recommendations for Macbeth

Netflix: a source of television shows and movies to entertain oneself for endless hours.  It is created to provide a variety of shows and movies, with many different genres and stories to satisfy one’s boredom, especially perfect for lazy days at home.  There is truly something for everyone.

I find that many times the concepts I just recently heard about or discussed pop back up in other things I encounter.  I can see connections to the topics in other things I see throughout the day.  Especially when I read books, I can relate the characters and events to others.  This is true when I read Macbeth.  Once my mind was on it, I could easily connect it to various other shows and movies.  The character Macbeth has many similar aspects to others, through the themes that were presented in the play.  This includes the ideas of ambition, masculinity, blood, supernatural, prophecies, and appearance vs. reality.  Here are some of my recommendations for the character of Macbeth:

    1. How to get away with Murder: This show is about a group of law students and their criminal defense teacher who become involved in a crazy murder plot that will change all of their lives.  Just the title relates enormously to Macbeth, simply because Macbeth really needs to learn how to get away with murder!  It’s similar in that everyone gets caught up in the awful murders that are committed.  Also, Macbeth’s intentions behind the murders are in the hopes that they will change his life so he can become king.  This show recommendation reveals Macbeth’s ambition about his evil actions, and hopefully he would be able to get some tips about committing murder and simply enjoying the rewards instead of leading to his own death.

    2. Supernatural: In this case, the title also reveals much about Macbeth.  This show is about two brothers who hunt the supernatural creatures that roam the Earth.  It relates to the aspect of the supernatural in the play.  When Macbeth and Banquo first encounter the witches, they don’t know who they are and are startled by what they reveal.  This show would hopefully teach Macbeth how to handle encountering supernatural beings better.  In the play, Macbeth relies on the witches too much, and then he is haunted by the appearance of Banquo’s ghost.  It reveals that he needs help handling the supernatural, that he can receive watching this show because the supernatural are a daily presence.

    3. Chronicle: This movie is about three friends who stumble upon a source underground that gives them super powers.  At first, they use them for fun, but soon they become irresponsible with them.  They start to embrace their darker sides, especially Andrew, who uses his newfound powers for evil, which eventually leads to his death.  This recommendation reveals the aspects of appearance vs. reality as well as ambition.  Macbeth is similar to Andrew in that he receives this power, but quickly uses it to his advantage and turns to evil to get what he wants.  His intentions are selfish and he is driven to remain in power.  Finally, people rise up against his evil actions and he dies because of it, just like Macbeth.  The movie also displays appearance vs. reality because they gain this power, but they keep it hidden for the most part.  They aren’t what they seem to be, especially Andrew who was at first shy and nice, but vicious and evil by the end.  Even his friends eventually turn against him, just like how the people of Scotland turn against Macbeth.  All about power and corruption, this movie is perfect for Macbeth to show him the consequences of evil actions and what he should not do.

    4. Reign: Finally, this television show is a great recommendation for Macbeth.  It takes viewers to the past to when Mary Queen of Scots is betrothed to Prince Francis. They become the rulers of the kingdom of France, and experience the conflicts that arise in and outside the castle while trying to stay in power and keep the people content.  It’s the perfect show because it explains a lot of similar events.  First, Macbeth relates to King Henry, because he has a lot of power at first but then becomes corrupted.  He actually starts to lose his mind.  That abuse of power is similar to Macbeth.  Also, he relates to Francis, because they both kill the king and then become kings themselves.  Then, they are both haunted by the ghosts of the ones they murdered.  In Macbeth, Macbeth is haunted by Banquo’s ghost.  In the show, Francis is haunted by Henry, who is his father and former king, after he kills him.  Furthermore, there is a prophecy in the first season of the show, like the prophecy in the play.  Both characters try to take actions to either fulfill or destroy the prophecy.  In addition, balance of power is constantly changing in the relationships.  This show could probably help Macbeth understand the shifts in power between a husband and a wife.  The show also reveals the concepts of guilt, blood, masculinity, and ambition.  I think in many ways, the show could teach him how to get over the guilt in a positive way and continue as king.  Mostly, it should help him understand what he should or should not do to be a good leader.