Thursday, April 23, 2015

Macbeth Essay: Final

      Everyone wants what they can't have and others will go to extreme measures because of greediness. What is unacceptable is allowing that strong desire control you and transform you into something you never intended to be. Macbeth is an example of someone who let his morals change drastically in the process of getting what he wants. This play by William Shakespeare talks about how an ordinary, loyal, kind-hearted man is attached with a prophecy saying he will become the thane of Cawdor. Macbeth takes advantage of the opportunity to acquire more than what he was given. As the saying goes, "give someone an inch, and they take a mile." Macbeth's morals soon got blinded by his cruel acts, and because of that he did things that never followed his values. Macbeth is a prime example of how it is unwise to allow a change in power corrupt your personal well-being and true intentions.
      In the beginning of the play Macbeth showed numerous signs of being a trustworthy man even when faced with the idea of the murder of King Duncan. "Duncan is here on double trust: first, / because I'm his kinsman and his subject (both good / arguments against the deed) then, because I'm his host, who / should protect him from his murderer–not bear the knife" (1.7.9-12). "We'll go no further in this business. He has honored / me recently and I've won great respect from all sorts of / people. This is to be enjoyed while it's new, not cast aside so / soon" (1.7.31-34). Macbeth knows the difference between what is right and wrong and he proves that he prefers doing what is right all the time. Regardless of his morals he is very easily manipulated, especially with his wife. "Can you want the / glittering prize–the crown–yet be a selfless coward" (1.7.38-40). As Lady Macbeth attacks him that he is weak and worthless, he intends to prove her wrong and follow through with the deed. He believes it is possible to not be accused with the death of King Duncan if they act just as surprised and mourn like everyone else. Macbeth is taking actions that are slowly changing the person he is and it will only get worse with time. This one action of simply agreeing with the murder is just as bold committing it himself. It takes dignity to go against your conscience, but for Macbeth it didn't make him a better person.
      Macbeth is an example of what you can expect to happen when a change of conscience is brought onto someone. After committing King Duncan's murder, Macbeth immediately felt a load of guilt. "I won't go back! I'm afraid to think of what / I've done. I daren't look at it again!" (2.2.51-52). Macbeth obviously knows that what he has done is completely against who he is and feels horrible about the deed. He continues to remain terrified about the thought of his actions being revealed to anyone, but his wife. Not only did Macbeth kill the king to ensure his power, but he is willing to destroy anyone that knows about his plans or gets in his way, proving that he wants more than simply being king. "To be thus–a king– is nothing. I must be safely thus. I fear / Banquo deeply. in his regal nature, theres a ruling element to / be feared. He's daring." (3.1.47-49) "That's that. Banquo, if your soul is bound for heaven, it will / reach there tonight. (3.1.35-36.) Macbeth, as you can see, is gradually becoming this cruel monster. In the beginning he couldn't bear killing the king, but now he doesn't think twice about killing someone who has been his companion the entire time. His first murder wasn't his last. Macbeth's transformation from the beginning of the story wasn't expected, but it proves anything is able to destroy you when you allow it to.
      With all of Macbeth's wrongdoings to gain power he has developed a hatred with those around him. Those who mourn from the crimes he has committed are working together to avenge him. Macduff states, "Bring this / fiend of Scotland and myself face to face! Put him at a / sword's length before me! If he should escape, we'd both need / heaven's forgiveness!" (4.3.228-231). Macduff has lost his wife, children, and servants because of Macbeth. His careless slaughters have even brought the entire nation to go against and rebel against their own king. Malcolm states, "Let's go to the king. Our army is / ready. We need to do nothing but take our leave. Macbeth is / ripe for toppling, and the powers above will find the means. / Take comfort from this fact: It's a long night that has no dawn." (4.3.232-235). Macbeth is no longer the courageous man he was in the beginning. The respectful, kind, and just man is too far lost to restore again. Now the country's army is determined to bring down Macbeth and his actions for good.
      The play "Macbeth" by William Shakespeare emphasizes how a person can change for the worst when they take advantage of the power they are given. The prophecy crowned him thane of Cawdor, but that wasn't enough for him and his wife. Because of that he allowed himself to travel in a different path than what he had planned for himself. The Universe has a way of keeping everything in check. For Macbeth, he faced something many like to call karma. "They said he died well and paid / his score. And so God be with him. Here comes newer / comfort" (5.7.81-83). Macbeth became a man no one, not even himself, could be proud of. Even though he got what he wanted he couldn't live with himself knowing the risks he had to tackle. The guilt that built up inside him was stronger than his desire for power in the end. So what was the point in everything? William Shakespeare tells the audience that it is better to be happy with who you are and live with what you have than to be someone you aren't just for a rank in society.

Monday, April 20, 2015

Macbeth Essay: Draft

      Everyone wants what they can't have and others will go to extreme measures because of greediness. What is unacceptable is allowing that strong desire control you and transform you into something you never intended to be. Macbeth by William Shakespeare talks about how an ordinary, loyal, kind-hearted man is attached with a prophecy saying he will become the thane of Cawdor. Macbeth takes advantage of the opportunity to acquire more than what he was given. As the saying goes, "give someone an inch, and they take a mile." Along the way of getting what he wants he became a cruel, cold-blooded murder. The play "Macbeth" is an example of how it is unwise to allow a change in power corrupt your personal well-being and true intentions.
      In the beginning of the play Macbeth showed numerous signs of being a trustworthy man even when faced with the idea of the murder of King Duncan. "Duncan is here on double trust: first, / because I'm his kinsman and his subject (both good / arguments against the deed) then, because I'm his host, who / should protect him from his murderer–not bear the knife" (1.7.9-12). "We'll go no further in this business. He has honored / me recently and I've won great respect from all sorts of / people. This is to be enjoyed while it's new, not cast aside so / soon" (1.7.31-34). Macbeth knows the difference between what is right and wrong and he proves that he prefers doing what is right all the time. Regardless of his morals he is very easily manipulated, especially with his wife. "Can you want the / glittering prize–the crown–yet be a selfless coward" (1.7.38-40). As Lady Macbeth attacks him that he is weak and worthless, he intends to prove her wrong and follow through with the deed. He believes it is possible to not be accused with the death of King Duncan if they act just as surprised and mourn like everyone else. Macbeth is taking actions that are slowly changing the person he is and it will only get worse with time.
      Macbeth is an example of what you can expect to happen when a change of conscience is brought onto someone. After committing King Duncan's murder, Macbeth immediately felt a load of guilt. "I won't go back! I'm afraid to think of what / I've done. I daren't look at it again!" (2.2.51-52). Macbeth obviously knows that what he has done is completely against who he is and feels horrible about the deed. He continues to remain terrified about the thought of his actions being revealed to anyone, but his wife. Not only did Macbeth kill the king to ensure his power, but he is willing to destroy anyone that knows about his plans or gets in his way. "To be thus–a king– is nothing. I must be safely thus. I fear / Banquo deeply. in his regal nature, theres a ruling element to / be feared. He's daring." (3.1.47-49) "That's that. Banquo, if your soul is bound for heaven, it will / reach there tonight. (3.1.35-36.) Macbeth, as you can see, is gradually becoming this cruel monster. In the beginning he couldn't bear killing the king, but now he doesn't think twice about killing someone who has been his companion the entire time. This shows how one mistake can alter a person entirely.
      With all of Macbeth's wrongdoings to gain power he has developed a hatred with those around him. Those who mourn from the crimes he has committed are working together to avenge him. Macduff states, "Bring this / fiend of Scotland and myself face to face! Put him at a / sword's length before me! If he should escape, we'd both need / heaven's forgiveness!" (4.3.228-231). Macduff has lost his wife, children, and servants because of Macbeth. His careless slaughters have become difficult for the nation to handle. Malcolm states, "Let's go to the king. Our army is / ready. We need to do nothing but take our leave. Macbeth is / ripe for toppling, and the powers above will find the means. / Take comfort from this fact: It's a long night that has no dawn." (4.3.232-235). Macbeth is no longer the courageous man he was in the beginning. He has become a man everyone despises. Now the country's army is determined to bring down Macbeth and destroying him and his actions for good.
      The play "Macbeth" by William Shakespeare emphasizes how a person can change for the worst when they take advantage of the power they are given. The prophecy crowned him thane of Cawdor, but that wasn't enough for him and his wife. Because of that he allowed himself to travel in a different path than what he had planned for himself. The Universe has a way of keeping everything in check. For Macbeth, he faced something many like to call karma. "They said he died well and paid / his score. And so God be with him. Here comes newer / comfort" (5.7.81-83). Macbeth became a man no one, not even himself, could be proud of. William Shakespeare tells the audience that it is better to be happy with who you are and live with what you have than to be someone you aren't just for a rank in society.

Monday, April 13, 2015

4/2 Handout

Part 1
1. In your opinion, is Lady Macbeth a cold-blooded murderer? Why or why not?
I think Lady Macbeth is a cold-blooded murder because she was able to convince her husband to do such an act and not feel an ounce of guilt after it was done.

2. Lady Macbeth has her own antics throughout the play. Why does Lady Macbeth faint in Act II? Does it serve its purpose? Explain. 
Lady Macbeth faints on purpose to show that she is just as surprised of the death as anyone else. She does it to draw suspicion away from her and Macbeth.

3. How does Macbeth's attitude toward Duncan change after the murder?
Macbeth instantly felt a great amount of guilt after the murder of King Duncan, but tries to conceal it.

4. If so pressuring on Macbeth, why didn't Lady Macbeth kill the king instead of Macbeth?
Lady Macbeth didn't have the will power to kill Duncan herself because he looks like her father when he is asleep.

5. Now that Macbeth has killed the king, do you think he must do anything else to reign as king? Explain your answer.
In order for Macbeth to reign as king he must remove those who are suspicious or are capable of revealing that he was guilty of the murder.

Part 2
1. " My hands are the same color as yours-but I'd be ashamed to have a heart as white as yours!" (Act 2. Scene 2. Lines 64-65)
"Why, my lord, you'll wear yourself out, thinking about things so dementedly." (Act 2. Scene 2. Lines   44-45)

2. " Look frank and innocent. To show your feelings is dangerous. Leave everything else to me." (Act 1. Scene 5. Lines 68-69)
"Help me please [pretending to faint]" (Act 2. Scene 3. Lines 27)

3. " I won't go back! I'm afraid to think of what I've done. I daren't look at it again!"(Act 2. Scene 2. Lines 51-52)
"Better to be lost in thought than face reality. (Act 2. Scene 2. Lines 71)

4. " If Duncan hadn't looked like my father in is sleep, I'd have done it myself" (Act 2. Scene 2. Lines 11-13)

Sunday, April 12, 2015

3/31 Handout

Part 1
1. What is the relationship between Macbeth and his wife? Explain.
Macbeth and his wife are very loyal to each other. After hearing about the prophecy, however, Lady Macbeth becomes very controlling because she wants things done her way to satisfy her desire for power. Through it all she has changed her husbands intentions and that's not what spouse's should do to one another.

2. Why does Macbeth ultimately decide to murder Duncan?
Lady Macbeth, after finding out about the prophecy, begins telling Macbeth how he's a coward and hesitant towards matters. Macbeth is a kind man and is still very scared about the thought of killing the King. She convinces him that this is their chance to obtain the "unchallenged power" they want. Macbeth, wanting to prove her wrong, approves of the murder of King Duncan because he knows there's a chance of getting away with it all.

3. Explain Macbeth's character thus far in the story.
Macbeth is a loyal and kind-hearted man. He is honored for his success during the war by those at home. Although he seems as if he wants to make the right decisions, he is often easily persuaded to do the opposite.

4. Do you think he will get away with the murder? Provide reasoning. 
He will get away with the murder because he has been kind to the King and his attendants from the beginning, from serving the country to allowing them to stay at his castle. They will not suspect anything other than kind actions from him.

5. What do you think Macbeth should do?
I think Macbeth should remain the same as he has since the beginning and not change anything based on his wife's desires. He has proven to be a man that makes decisions based on what is just and fair only until the thought of killing Duncan came around. I believe Macbeth should refrain from the murder and settle with what was planed for him, which is not being the king, but only the Thane of Cawdor.

Part 2
1. " Tonight's great business you must leave to me. It will secure us unchallenged power for the rest of our lives." (Act 1. Scene 5. Lines 66-67)
"Are you afraid to match your acts with your ambitions? Can you want the glittering prize - the crown - yet be a self-confessed coward." (Act 1. Scene 7. Lines 38-40)

2. " You want greatness. You are not without ambition. But you lack the ruthlessness that's needed. " (Act. 1. Scene 5. Lines 16-18)
" Come home quickly, so that I can inspire you with my passion. My brave words will overcome the scruples standing between you and the golden circle- the crown that fate and the supernatural seem to have destined for you!" (Act 1. Scene 5. Lines 21-25)

3. "Whatever happens, even the roughest day comes to an end." (Act 1. Scene 3. Lines 146-147)
" We'll go no further in this business. He has honored me recently, and I've won great respect from all sorts of people. This is to be enjoyed while it's new, not cast aside so soon. (Act 1. Scene 7. Lines 31-34)

4. "Duncan is here on double trust: first, because I'm his kinsman and his subject (both good arguments against the deed); then, because I'm his host, who should protect him form his murderer- not bear the knife." (Act 1. Scene 7. Lines. 9-12)