Although the “Great Chain of Being” doesn’t seem to “control people’s lives” during the 21st century, the concept was very influential during Medieval and English Renaissance times, influencing some of the most lauded figures in the fields of art and literature, such as William Shakespeare. In the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare, “disturbing natural order brings forth chaos” is a central concept that reflects the values of the Elizabethan era, which is reinforced by Macbeth’s eventual downfall after King Duncan’s death. One of the first examples of social mobility and the disturbance of natural order occurs when the “Thane of Cawdor” disobeys King Duncan, a taboo in the chain of being worldview because the king is of the highest order of men. Additionally, since Macbeth is credited with defeating the thane, he is bestowed the title “New Thane of Cawdor,” which exemplifies a rise in social rank, and the king’s ability to appoint new titles. Not only has Macbeth gone against the idea of a world ordained by God, in which positions and status in a hierarchy are determined, but King Duncan has also shown that he possesses the right to raise the social status of another, which illustrates a sense of divinity that only belongs to God…
