A Persuasive Letter Arguing for Macbeth in Shake n Stir Productions

This essay presents a persuasive letter addressed to the Artistic Director of 'shake n stir,' advocating for the inclusion of William Shakespeare's Macbeth in their 2019 series of productions. The letter emphasizes the play's enduring relevance to modern society, particularly its exploration of themes like guilt, corruption, ambition, and the subversion of moral values. It argues that a visual representation of these themes would have a cathartic effect on the modern audience, offering a moral lesson about controlling sinful desires and the consequences of unethical actions. The letter highlights the psychological turmoil of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, and their potential impact on viewers, suggesting the play could serve a social purpose of redemption and prevention of guilt.

Running head: PERSUASIVE LETTER
PERSUASIVE LETTER
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note:

1PERSUASIVE LETTER
The Artistic Director, Ms. Amanda James
shake n stir
Purcell House,
Brisbane, 2001.
Subject: Request for inclusion of Macbeth in 2019 series of productions.
Dear Ma’am,
Your theatre company ‘shake n stir’ holds reputation for some fine
productions, both original as well as classics, which may have been moulded a little in the
context of modern 21st century society. As a connoisseur of good theatrical productions, I
would request you to include William Shakespeare’s Macbeth in the series of your 2019
productions.
Though written in the early 17th century, the play holds immense importance in the
modern context. Some of the major themes like that of guilt and corruption, although written
years ago, their representation still holds relevance in the modern society, which is full of
such activities. Sinful desires, greed and ambition, along with a hunger for power continues
to be present in the modern society in a nuanced format. As such, a visual experience of the
wrongs, which are consciously or unconsciously being endorsed by the people, is bound to
have a cathartic effect on the modern audience.
Just as in Macbeth, similarly in today’s society overarching ambition continues to
disregard the very moral values which constitute the ‘human’ essence, leading to a society
full of hypocrite butchers, who tries to pretend that they are blissfully unaware of their flaws
and foibles, and in this attempt, become agents of torture. The character of Macbeth mirrors
the very society, where human beings are essentially good, and whose nature gets subverted

2PERSUASIVE LETTER
due to a lack of control over one’s own critical and rational judgements, thereby resulting in
physical or psychological destruction of the human being or the human elements.
The motifs of hallucinations, prophecy and violence acts as catalyst for Macbeth’s
ambitious desires and advances him in the path of guilt. The apparitions of Macbeth’s preys
symbolize his guilt. They act as supernatural elements which makes Macbeth realize his guilt,
and thereby drives him towards committing further crimes. The psychological turmoil of
Macbeth has a significant bearing on the guilt committed by the modern man. They evoke the
tragic effect of pity and fear in the minds of the modern audience, and by using Macbeth as
an example, shows how the magnitude of their respective guilt is also subject to
amplification, with a possible final consequence of self-destruction. Thus, if presented
properly by ‘shake n stir’, the play is capable of teaching the audience a moral lesson, that of
controlling their own sinful and ambitious desires.
Macbeth’s guilt in inconsequential without that of his wife. Although the
hallucinations come to Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, the guilt is more cerebral than physical, as
exemplified in her statements about her inability to get rid of the imaginary bloodstains. She
is the fulfilling agent of Macbeth’s guilt. Her fatality, and subconscious sense of remorse that
is highlighted through her sleep-walking, would also have a significant impact on the modern
audience about the consequences of endorsing unethical activities.
Thus, the play would serve a social purpose of redemption and prevention of guilt for
the modern people. Therefore, I humbly urge you to consider this play as part of ‘shake n
stir’s 2019 productions both from an artistic as well as socially purposeful perspective.
Yours Sincerely,
(Name of the Candidate)