Revisit today's journal topic on your blog through the eyes of the author. What literary/characterization techniques does Shakespeare use to suggest how Macbeth will rule? Use textual examples to illustrate your claims.
I feel as though Shakespeare is trying to transmit the message that Macbeth is a controllable yet tyrannical leader. The reader is easily able to see he is controllable or easily persuaded through multiple instances/people. For example, the only reason he killed Duncan was because his wife basically forced him to; the only reason he deeply desired to be thane and king was because the witches mentioned it to him. Macbeth is really good at following orders, even if his conscience warns him against future actions. Shakespeare seems to be calling Macbeth a tyrant in very simple terms. In two conversations within the first four acts, Macbeth has been referred to as a tyrant. This may just be how people portray him, but his actions don't necessarily speak otherwise. An honest, rightful, and essentially "good" King would not murder for power, he would not murder people out of fear of being overthrown, he would not murder the family & servants of a man thought to be a traitor.
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Macbeth Act IV ~ Active Reading Notes
Scene 1:
- Setting/surroundings: similar to those of when the witches first appeared, creates a dark/ominous tone
- "Double, double toil and trouble./Fire burn, and cauldron bubble." > this simple song has been used in so many other forms in current culture; what came to mind as soon as I read the line was Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, it has also been used in popular shows like Supernatural and such
- Witches are creating some sort of potion(may be for Macbeth), they are being instructed by Hecate
- Macbeth enters and asks what they are doing; witches do not reply directly and instead ask if he wants to speak to their masters
- First apparition > armed head > warns Macbeth of Macduff, the thane of Fife
- Second apparition > bloody child > says that none will do harm to Macbeth
- Third apparition > crowned child > says he will not be vanquished until "Great Birnam wood to high Dunsinane hill/Shall come against him."
- show of 8 kings, the last being Banquo, appears > showing the line of kings, Banquo's children being included(?)
- witches vanish, Lennox says he did not see them go; notice that Macduff has fled to England reaches Macbeth's ears
- Macbeth planning to attack Macduff's castle in Fife, orders all family and people found to be killed
Scene 2:
- Lady Macduff angry/worried at her husband having left, noting that this suspicious travel will make them look like traitors
- direct characterization of Macduff: "He is noble, wise, judicious"
- simile: live as the birds do - off what is given to them > Son to Lady Macduff
- indirect characterization of Lady Macduff: "Why, I can buy me twenty at any market." (speaking of husbands) as well as "If he were dead, you'ld weep for/him: if you would not, it were a good sign/that I should quickly have a new father.
- Lady Macduff reveals to her Son that his father was a traitor
- Messenger comes in and warns Lady Macduff to take her kids and leave
- Murderers enter and kill the Son while Lady Macduff runs off
Scene 3:
- Malcolm and Macduff speaking, Malcolm calls Macduff a tyrant
- Malcolm seems to want to murder Macbeth
- Malcolm is testing Macduff's loyalty and trustworthiness
- Doctor mentions a disease of some sort, called "the evil"
- Ross appears telling the men that people have been slaughtered, but that Macduff's family is fine (as last seen by Ross) > then Ross reveals that they too have been killed
- Macduff then agrees to join in the fighting and to take personal revenge on Macbeth> urged on by Malcolm
Monday, April 20, 2015
mactwist
Imagine how the plot, theme, and tone of Macbeth would be different if Macbeth could gain more power by becoming good at something or learning something, rather than benefiting through another's loss.
If Macbeth could achieve value through obtaining an ability, becoming an expert at something, simply becoming a better human being, the entire plot, theme, and tone would change drastically. Macbeth would achieve a higher standing in society without having to drench his hands in the blood of the innocent, he would have no need to murder whether it be to get a higher standing or to remove a "threat." Macbeth would have no need to create a loss for someone, he would have no need to benefit from any negative situations. Themes would also change because things like "foul is fair, fair is foul," and appearance vs reality no longer truly fit. It would instead seem to turn to a moral lesson-type story, or something along the lines of achieving one's true purpose, or about making oneself the best one can become, etc. The tone would go from dark, ambiguous, and cruel to something a bit more cheerful, powerful, honest or enlightening. If the entire plot of Macbeth changed, their would be no conflict among the characters, external conflict would be nonexistent, instead internal conflict would come into play. Internal conflict would occur in a very distinct way as it currently does in the story, Macbeth would not be paranoid and pondering whether he should murder his best friend, instead he would be weighing pros and cons of situations, where to go in a situations, etc.
If Macbeth could achieve value through obtaining an ability, becoming an expert at something, simply becoming a better human being, the entire plot, theme, and tone would change drastically. Macbeth would achieve a higher standing in society without having to drench his hands in the blood of the innocent, he would have no need to murder whether it be to get a higher standing or to remove a "threat." Macbeth would have no need to create a loss for someone, he would have no need to benefit from any negative situations. Themes would also change because things like "foul is fair, fair is foul," and appearance vs reality no longer truly fit. It would instead seem to turn to a moral lesson-type story, or something along the lines of achieving one's true purpose, or about making oneself the best one can become, etc. The tone would go from dark, ambiguous, and cruel to something a bit more cheerful, powerful, honest or enlightening. If the entire plot of Macbeth changed, their would be no conflict among the characters, external conflict would be nonexistent, instead internal conflict would come into play. Internal conflict would occur in a very distinct way as it currently does in the story, Macbeth would not be paranoid and pondering whether he should murder his best friend, instead he would be weighing pros and cons of situations, where to go in a situations, etc.
Saturday, April 18, 2015
Macbeth Act III ~ Active Reading Notes
Scene 1:
- Banquo seems to believe foul play was involved in Macbeth's "fate"
- Macbeth seems to be spreading the rumor that Duncan's sons are the true murderers that have run away from justice
- Macbeth's lunacy has begun; he seems to believe Banquo wants to replace him
- Allusion: Macbeth = Caesar, Banquo = Mark Anthony
- Macbeth has hired to murderers to deal with Banquo and his son Fleance
- Repetition: when mentioning the death of a characters hell and heaven are always mentioned, bidding farewell to the soul and saying "hopefully you can find yourself in heaven"
Scene 2:
- Metaphor: "Full of scorpions is my mind" - head full of cruel/evil thoughts
- Macbeth tells his wife that others are trouble and they must be murdered, he tells her to at innocent of the knowledge
Scene 3:
- The three murders complete half their job, Fleance gets away
Scene 4:
- Setting: Macbeth's dinner/party
- motif: the image of a snake keeps appearing
- Murders tell Macbeth that Banquo's son has escaped
- Banquo appears at the dinner and takes Macbeth's seat
- Macbeth releases his guest as his wife sees him acting bizarre
- Macbeth will go visit the witches tomorrow to know what remains of his story, he will do all in his power to remain king
Scene 5:
- Hecate reprimands the three witches for meddling with Macbeth and something as huge as death
- Hecate is "the mistress of their charms"
- Hecate tells the witches that Macbeth will hear fake prophecies, bringing him false security and plenty confusion
- "security /Is mortals' chiefest enemy"
Scene 6:
- in a conversation between Lennox and a Lord we find out that Fleance is blamed for the death of his father (Banquo); they also reveal that Macbeth is rendered a tyrant
- from the conversation we also learn that Macduff has asked the English King for aid in waging a war against the tyrant
Thursday, April 16, 2015
Act II Study Questions
2.1
1. The purpose of the 9 first opening lines are to give a clue that Banquo is suspicious and may have an idea of what Macbeth is hoping to accomplish. The discussion of the witches, brought up by Banquo, is to let audience and character Macbeth know that he has not forgotten the prophecy. It is further proof that Banquo is thinking or wondering about what Macbeth is going to do.
1. The purpose of the 9 first opening lines are to give a clue that Banquo is suspicious and may have an idea of what Macbeth is hoping to accomplish. The discussion of the witches, brought up by Banquo, is to let audience and character Macbeth know that he has not forgotten the prophecy. It is further proof that Banquo is thinking or wondering about what Macbeth is going to do.
2. In Macbeth's soliloquy he seems to speak of a weapon that may be created by his imagination, he is unsure if it is truly there, or if he should kill the King. Macbeth explains what is happening by saying his mind is overworked and stressed out, and that his sight is failing him. He still plans on murdering the King.
2.2
1. She is drunk with angst. Lady Macbeth did her part of the plan, she drugged the King's men and laid out their daggers for Macbeth to see. She assumes Macbeth is completing the deed at the very moment.
1. She is drunk with angst. Lady Macbeth did her part of the plan, she drugged the King's men and laid out their daggers for Macbeth to see. She assumes Macbeth is completing the deed at the very moment.
2. Macbeth has killed the King. Macbeth is worried that the two men woke up and saw him with the blood of the King on his hands; he is also worried about his moral condition. Lady Macbeth remnds him not to worry about it, and to not think so much upon it. The issue that arises in line 46 is that Macbeth carried back the daggers with him. The problem is solved by Lady Macbeth, she delivers the daggers to the sleeping attendants of the King and says she will smear blood on them if necessary.
2.3
1. The porter pretends to be porter for the gates of hell.
1. The porter pretends to be porter for the gates of hell.
What does the porter pretend to be doing? Notice the emphasis on equivocation in this speech and in the following dialogue with Macduff. Equivocation was a doctrine espoused by Jesuits living secretly in England (and in danger of arrest, torture, and death) that allowed them to swear oaths with double meanings in order to preserve their lives while also maintaining their faith but that looked to their opponents very much like lying under oath. Equivocation had recently been much discussed because of the trials surrounding the Gunpowder Plot of November 1605, a Catholic attempt to blow up Parliament while the members and the King were present.
2. The thematic function of the conversation between Lenox and Macbeth is that it shows others noticed an oddness about the night, as if someone had committed a murder. The theatrical function of the scene is to showcase Macbeth's ability to hide the face of murderer, and to allow the audience to understand that nobody yet knows about the King's death. The conversation is necessary for the reasons stated before.
3. Macduff reports that the King has been murdered. Macbeth and his Lady respond by acting like it is a tragedy. Lady Macbeth seems more concerned that it occurred in her house than of the actual murder. Macbeth reports that he killed the men. Malcolm and Donalbain decide to leave before someone tries to seize and murder them, too. The two sons of the past King will go away, Malcom to England, Donalbain to Ireland.
2.4
1. The function of the dialogue between Old Man and Ross is to show that people are noticing odd things about the night, even something like the behavior of Duncan's horses. From Macduff we learn that Macolm and Donalbain have fled, this fact makes them suspicious of committing the crime. We also learn that Macbeth killed the two men who were servants to Duncan, we also learn that Macbeth has already been named King. Macbeth is already gone to Scone. Macduff will go to Fife.
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Macbeth Character Map
Another resource I found was THIS website. It gives a detailed description of all the characters (to my knowledge) and also has links to quotes from them.
A student made Prezi can be found HERE. It has small, quick descriptions of characters, and also shows the relationship between each character.
Act I Study Questions
1.1
1. Beginning the play with the witches allows the reader to envision that the story is cruel, dark, and ambiguous. It also gives the reader a sense of an existing theme "Fair is foul, and foul is fair." The witches are going to meet Macbeth, which is seen later in the play as a scene. The witches also mention that they will meet him when the war has been won and lost, and when the sun sets.
1.2
1. From the "bloody Captain" we learn about Macbeth's killing spree during the war. It is also easy to take notice that his actions are glorified and that he is seen as a brave hero. Macdonwald is a man "worthy to be a rebel," he also made an attack on them. Macbeth killed Macdonwald, cutting him with his sword and putting his head on a stake in their battlements. This did not end the problem with the rebels, they regrouped, fresh men joined, and "began a fresh assault."
2. Ross and Angus let Duncan know that Norweyan flags fill the sky, and that the traitor is the Thane of Cawdor himself. Duncan is glad that the Thane of Cawdor was dealt with and executed, he explains "Great Happiness" after hearing that they are victorious. Duncan also gladly tells his men to give the title of Thane of Cawdor to Macbeth.
1.3
1. The witches provide the reader with a glimpse into the life of Macbeth. The specifics mention how Lady Macbeth ultimately controls her husband, she has total power over him, and this detail is very important to the plot. The witches prepare for Macbeth's arrival by singing a chant all together. They say at the very end that the chant is a charm and has been completed.
2. Macbeth's first line reminds me of a phrase the witches said at the beginning, "fair is foul, and foul is fair." The witches look as though they are not from this world, they wear a withered, old, and wild attire. Banquo is unable to decipher their gender, they look somewhat like woman but presence of a beard on all of their faces throws him off. The witches call Macbeth Thane of Glaims and of Cawdor. Macbeth gains interest in their words, we can tell by the way he asks them to say more. Banquo asks for his own prophecy, but he receives the response of "Hail!,"
as well as being told that he is greater/lesser than Macbeth. We know that Macbeth really is going to be Thane of Cawdor before he himself knows it.
3. Banquo believes that the witches are a figment of their imagination, or that they have only hallucinated. From Ross and Angus Macbeth learns that he now holds the title of Thane of Cawdor. In lines 114-156 Macbeth is rationalizing with himself, pondering whether he should be incredulous, yet he begins to think he will be king soon.
4. He doesn't want to share any of his plan with Banquo. Macbeth simply tells his friend that he is confused, and that his brain is filled with other things.
1.4
1. Cawdor was executed for his crime of treason. The King responds by saying that Cawdor had his full trust, and that one cannot base a man's feelings by the look on the man's face.
2. Duncan greets Macbeth and Banquo with the greeting "O worthiest cousin." Duncan also mentions that he is forever grateful to them. Duncan announces that he will leave everything to Malcom, Prince of Cumberland. King Duncan then intends to go to Macbeth's castle. Macbeth reacts to the announcement by commenting in his aside that this is a big dent in his plan, he must now also get rid of Malcom if he desires to be King. Macbeth is thinking of how to accomplish this task.
1.5
1. Macbeth reports everything that has occurred accurately to his wife, he leaves nothing of significance out. She responds by saying that he must do what needs to be done.
2. She asks whether Macbeth arrives with him, and knows that he brings great news. Lady Macbeth intends to make Macbeth follow through with the plan. In order for this to happen she calls upon the spirits to make her cruel and to stop any remorse that may occur.
3. Lady Macbeth is in charge when Macbeth arrives. His wife has definitely decided what to do, and she is aware that she might have to convince Macbeth of the plan. Macbeth still seems to be unsure, he questions the plan and all the details. Lady Macbeth tells Macbeth that she must not let King Duncan see light of another day.
4. Lady Macbeth's name is Gruoch. She had a son by a previous marriage, named Lulach.
1.6
1. Lady Macbeth's welcome is fake and not meant to be trusted by the reader/audience. Lady Macbeth's form of speech has taken on a softer tone, one that says "I am at your service," which is very dishonest. Her welcome is done with reason behind it though.
1.7
1. Macbeth is as prepared as he is going to get. It seems as though he will always have that worry, that bit of guilt and remorse in the back of his mind. In lines 1-12 he is worried about people finding out, about people knowing the King was murdered under his home, and of the consequences his actions may have. The special rule of hospitality that he is violating twice, for being kinsman and subject, is that of shutting the doors against people who want to cause harm to the King, and brandishing the killing arm himself.
2. Lady Macbeth complains about Macbeth leaving Duncan alone, for leaving the chambers so near to the time of supper. Macbeth wonders whether the King has asked for him, Lady Macbeth replies that he should have known so. Macbeth wishes to stop the murder of Duncan, he says that the King has honored him recently, Macbeth is hesitant. The stronger character in this scene is Lady Macbeth.
1. Beginning the play with the witches allows the reader to envision that the story is cruel, dark, and ambiguous. It also gives the reader a sense of an existing theme "Fair is foul, and foul is fair." The witches are going to meet Macbeth, which is seen later in the play as a scene. The witches also mention that they will meet him when the war has been won and lost, and when the sun sets.
1.2
1. From the "bloody Captain" we learn about Macbeth's killing spree during the war. It is also easy to take notice that his actions are glorified and that he is seen as a brave hero. Macdonwald is a man "worthy to be a rebel," he also made an attack on them. Macbeth killed Macdonwald, cutting him with his sword and putting his head on a stake in their battlements. This did not end the problem with the rebels, they regrouped, fresh men joined, and "began a fresh assault."
2. Ross and Angus let Duncan know that Norweyan flags fill the sky, and that the traitor is the Thane of Cawdor himself. Duncan is glad that the Thane of Cawdor was dealt with and executed, he explains "Great Happiness" after hearing that they are victorious. Duncan also gladly tells his men to give the title of Thane of Cawdor to Macbeth.
1.3
1. The witches provide the reader with a glimpse into the life of Macbeth. The specifics mention how Lady Macbeth ultimately controls her husband, she has total power over him, and this detail is very important to the plot. The witches prepare for Macbeth's arrival by singing a chant all together. They say at the very end that the chant is a charm and has been completed.
2. Macbeth's first line reminds me of a phrase the witches said at the beginning, "fair is foul, and foul is fair." The witches look as though they are not from this world, they wear a withered, old, and wild attire. Banquo is unable to decipher their gender, they look somewhat like woman but presence of a beard on all of their faces throws him off. The witches call Macbeth Thane of Glaims and of Cawdor. Macbeth gains interest in their words, we can tell by the way he asks them to say more. Banquo asks for his own prophecy, but he receives the response of "Hail!,"
as well as being told that he is greater/lesser than Macbeth. We know that Macbeth really is going to be Thane of Cawdor before he himself knows it.
3. Banquo believes that the witches are a figment of their imagination, or that they have only hallucinated. From Ross and Angus Macbeth learns that he now holds the title of Thane of Cawdor. In lines 114-156 Macbeth is rationalizing with himself, pondering whether he should be incredulous, yet he begins to think he will be king soon.
4. He doesn't want to share any of his plan with Banquo. Macbeth simply tells his friend that he is confused, and that his brain is filled with other things.
1.4
1. Cawdor was executed for his crime of treason. The King responds by saying that Cawdor had his full trust, and that one cannot base a man's feelings by the look on the man's face.
2. Duncan greets Macbeth and Banquo with the greeting "O worthiest cousin." Duncan also mentions that he is forever grateful to them. Duncan announces that he will leave everything to Malcom, Prince of Cumberland. King Duncan then intends to go to Macbeth's castle. Macbeth reacts to the announcement by commenting in his aside that this is a big dent in his plan, he must now also get rid of Malcom if he desires to be King. Macbeth is thinking of how to accomplish this task.
1.5
1. Macbeth reports everything that has occurred accurately to his wife, he leaves nothing of significance out. She responds by saying that he must do what needs to be done.
2. She asks whether Macbeth arrives with him, and knows that he brings great news. Lady Macbeth intends to make Macbeth follow through with the plan. In order for this to happen she calls upon the spirits to make her cruel and to stop any remorse that may occur.
3. Lady Macbeth is in charge when Macbeth arrives. His wife has definitely decided what to do, and she is aware that she might have to convince Macbeth of the plan. Macbeth still seems to be unsure, he questions the plan and all the details. Lady Macbeth tells Macbeth that she must not let King Duncan see light of another day.
4. Lady Macbeth's name is Gruoch. She had a son by a previous marriage, named Lulach.
1.6
1. Lady Macbeth's welcome is fake and not meant to be trusted by the reader/audience. Lady Macbeth's form of speech has taken on a softer tone, one that says "I am at your service," which is very dishonest. Her welcome is done with reason behind it though.
1.7
1. Macbeth is as prepared as he is going to get. It seems as though he will always have that worry, that bit of guilt and remorse in the back of his mind. In lines 1-12 he is worried about people finding out, about people knowing the King was murdered under his home, and of the consequences his actions may have. The special rule of hospitality that he is violating twice, for being kinsman and subject, is that of shutting the doors against people who want to cause harm to the King, and brandishing the killing arm himself.
2. Lady Macbeth complains about Macbeth leaving Duncan alone, for leaving the chambers so near to the time of supper. Macbeth wonders whether the King has asked for him, Lady Macbeth replies that he should have known so. Macbeth wishes to stop the murder of Duncan, he says that the King has honored him recently, Macbeth is hesitant. The stronger character in this scene is Lady Macbeth.
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