Metamodern; People for Profit Era

In today’s world, personal lives are the new commodity. Celebrities, influencers, and even everyday people are packaged and sold for entertainment. The more dramatic the story, the more profitable it becomes.

Over the past 10 days, we've looked closely at how media and social platforms exploit personal struggles, turning them into cash. Whether it's a celebrity's downfall or a politician's scandal, the real goal is profit, not truth or justice.

This "People for Profit" era isn't just about entertainment; it's about the erosion of privacy and the manipulation of public opinion. As society consumes these stories, we lose sight of the real human cost.

In short, we’re witnessing a time where people are products, and the currency is their well-being and truth.

As educators, we often face the challenge of making classic literature resonate with today’s students. Shakespeare’s works, while centuries old, delve into universal themes that remain relevant in our modern world. Our goal is to equip students with the ability to draw meaningful connections between these timeless narratives and the issues they encounter daily.

Core Shakespearean Themes to Explore

Power and Ambition

Shakespeare’s Insight: In Macbeth and Richard III, Shakespeare explores the destructive nature of unchecked ambition and the ruthless pursuit of power. Both characters manipulate others and lose their moral compass, leading to their downfall.

Modern Parallel: Compare these characters to contemporary political figures who use manipulation and deceit to rise to power. Discuss how these themes are reflected in today’s political landscape, where ambition often comes at the cost of ethics and truth.

Jealousy and Manipulation

Shakespeare’s Insight: Othello is a classic study of jealousy’s corrosive effects, with Iago’s manipulation leading to tragedy. The play highlights how easily trust can be exploited and how jealousy can destroy lives.

Modern Parallel: Draw parallels between Iago’s schemes and the way media and social platforms exploit personal relationships for profit. Reality TV, celebrity scandals, and social media drama are modern-day reflections of this Shakespearean theme.

Identity and Public Perception

Shakespeare’s Insight: In Hamlet and The Merchant of Venice, characters grapple with the tension between personal identity and societal expectations. Hamlet’s internal conflict and Shylock’s experience of prejudice both illustrate the pressures of conforming to public perception.

Modern Parallel: Explore the impact of social media on identity today, where public image often overshadows personal reality. Discuss how students can relate Hamlet’s struggle to their own experiences with social media and societal expectations.

Connecting Shakespeare to the Modern World

To help students make meaningful connections, guide them in comparing Shakespearean themes with current events and societal issues.

Encourage students to:

Identify Patterns: Look for recurring behaviours in both Shakespeare’s characters and modern public figures. This helps students see the timeless nature of these themes.

Reflect Critically: Ask students to consider how these themes affect their own lives. For example, how does the pursuit of power shape our society, and how are we influenced by the media?

Practical Applications

Case Studies: Use modern examples, such as political leaders or celebrities, to draw direct comparisons with Shakespearean characters. This makes the material more relatable for students.

Discussions: Facilitate conversations where students explore these connections in depth, encouraging them to think critically and express their insights.

Creative Projects: Assign tasks where students can adapt Shakespearean scenes to modern contexts, allowing them to explore these themes creatively.