MR+JennyP

= ASSIGNMENT 7 =

Macbeth Theme Reflection
Provide at least one piece of textual evidence for each answer. (This assignment will provide some ideas for the final paper.)
 * What is the main idea of the story?
 * The main idea of the story is that power corrupts people. Several examples are shown in this book.
 * Malcolm: "What know, believe; and what I can redress, As I shall find the time to friend, I will. What you have spoke it may be so, perchance. This tyrant, whose sole name blisters our tongues, Was once thought honest. You have loved him well; " (3.4.9-13)
 * The quote shows that Macbeth has become from an honest man to a corrupt tyrant king because of the desire of power he had.
 * What can we learn from these characters? Select one or two characters and explain your answer.
 * We can learn from Macbeth that power corrupts people and that any person can change. He is at first a very noble, honest, and loyal man. However, later on he is a very coldhearted, corrupt tyrant. He feels very guilty after killing Duncan, but later on he kills people such as Banquo and Macduff's family without any guilt.
 * "He's here in double trust: First, as I am his kinsman and his subject, Strong both against the deed; then, as his host, Who should against his murderer shut the door, Not bear the knife myself. Besides, this Duncan Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been So clear in his great office, that his virtues Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued, against The deep damnation of his taking-off" (1.7.12-20)
 * "The castle of Macduff I will surprise, Seize upon Fife, give to th'edge o'th' sword His wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls That trace him in his line." (4.1.150-153)
 * Do you see recurring images, words, deeds, situations, consequences, mistakes? Select two items from the preceding list and give examples from the play.
 * Situations: Macbeth murdering people
 * "I go, and it is done. The bell invites me. Hear it not, Duncan, for it is a knell That summons thee to heaven or to hell." (2.1.63-66)
 * "And with him-To leave no rubs nor botches in the work- Fleance his son, that keeps him company, Whose absence is no less material to me Than his father's, must embrace the fate Of that dark hour." (3.2.136-139)
 * "The castle of Macduff I will surprise, Seize upon Fife, give to th'edge o'th' sword His wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls That trace him in his line." (4.1.150-153)
 * Words: Sleep
 * "Methought I heard a voice cry “Sleep no more! Macbeth does murder sleep”, the innocent sleep, Sleep that knits up the ravell’d sleeve of care, The death of each day’s life, sore labour’s bath, Balm of hurt minds, great nature’s second course, Chief nourisher in life’s feast-" (2.2.39-44)
 * "Awake, awake! Ring the alarum bell. Murder and treason! Banquo and Donalbain! Malcom! awake! Shake off his downy sleep, death’s counterfeit, And look on death itself! up, up, and see The great doom’s image! Malcom! Banquo! As from your graves rise up, and walk like sprites, To countenance this horror! Ring the bell." (2.3.75-81)

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= ASSIGNMENT 6 =

Act 5 Reflection
(if you are a FEMALE answer the following question) How has Lady Macbeth transformed by the end of the play?
 * find two pieces of textual evidence from Act 5 to support your ideas
 * Lady Macbeth: "Here's the smell of the blood still. All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little Hand. Oh, oh, oh!" (5.1.50-52)
 * Lady Macbeth: "Wash your hands, put on your nightgown; look not so pale! I tell you yet again, Banquo's buried. He cannot come out on's grave." (5.1.62-64)
 * write a paragraph to explain each piece of textual evidence
 * First quote: Lady Macbeth means that her hands cannot be washed because of the "thickness of blood" on her hands. She feels definitely guilty about the fact that she murdered several people. Her talking about perfumes tells us that she can only smell and feel blood on her hands. Even all the perfumes will not be able to get rid of that smell of blood. This quote also shows us that Lady Macbeth actually felt very nervous and guilty inside. She did not show that she was afraid in front of Macbeth, and she seemed to be fine with murdering people before. However, now I realized that she was also very scared of what she has done to many people. Maybe the fact that it only shows in her sleep tells us that she does not want to admit that she's scared, but deep inside she feels very terrified so it shows only in her sleep. This resulted in her becoming physically and mentally weak.
 * Second quote: Although obviously Lady Macbeth's hands are not full of blood, she feels as if the blood is stained in her hands because she feels very guilty. She keeps washing her hands while she is sleepwalking, and this represents that she wants to wash off her guilt but she cannot because her sin is heavy. She still keeps her character when she says "look not so pale!" because she always acts while she's awake; she never shows what she is really thinking inside in front of others. She reminds herself that Banquo is not alive, so there is no need to worry. This shows that she is very nervous about what she has done. She has become someone who is mentally weak now, with a disease of sleepwalking.

= ASSIGNMENT 5 =

3.5~3.6 Reflection

 * Write a one sentence summary of each scene. (post on your MR wiki page)
 * 3.5: The three witches go to Hecate, who is the head of all witches, and Hecate orders them to confuse Macbeth.
 * 3.6: The Lord talks about Duncan's son in England and plans to save the country from Macbeth using his help. He suspects Macbeth about killing Duncan and Banquo.
 * In 3.6, what suspicions does the Lord have about Macbeth? (post on your MR wiki page)
 * The Lord thinks that Macbeth killed Banquo as well as Duncan.

4.1 Reflection

 * What does Macbeth want in this scene?
 * Macbeth wants to know how the witches made prophecies and he wants to know what waits him in the future.
 * What stands in his way?
 * Macduff stand in his way, according to the illusions made by the witches.
 * How does Macbeth attempt overcome the obstacles in his way?
 * Macbeth decides to order a murderer to go to the castle and kill Macduff's children and wife.
 * What do the Witches want in this scene?
 * The witches want Macbeth to be confused. They are making things up to make him feel frustrated and worried. They are not being serious about anything; they just want to watch him go crazy.

= ASSIGNMENT 4 =

Act 2 Reflection
1. How does Macbeth react to the killing of Duncan? Why does he react this way?

Macbeth is very scared and terrified of what he has done right after he kills Duncan. He says: "I'll go no more. I am afraid to think what I have done; Look on't again I dare not," (2.2.55) when Lady Macbeth tells him to go back and put the dagger away. He also once says: "Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood Clean from my hand? No, this my hand will rather The multitudinous seas incarnadine, Making the green one red." (2.2.65) This quote shows that he is very ashamed of himself and feels terrible. He believes killing someone is a sin that cannot be simply washed away. He reacts this way because he is very confused and also very scared of what he has done.

2. How does Lady Macbeth react to the killing of Duncan? Why does she react this way?

Lady Macbeth is actually mad at Macbeth for not getting rid of the evidence clearly. She says, "Why did you bring these daggers from the place? They must lie there. Go, carry them and smear The sleepy grooms with blood." (2.2.52) She is worried that they will be caught and even though they have committed the crime she is actually worried more that they will not be able to conceal the evidence. I think she reacts this way because she did not actually kill Duncan, but just ordered Macbeth so she did not see the blood nor felt the shame or guilt as much as Macbeth. Also, I think her original nature tells us that she can do anything if she can gain power, as shown in the previous scenes.

1.7 Discussion Reflection
"Why has Macbeth decided to kill King Duncan by the end of Act I?"

1. I thought that the only reason Macbeth made a final decision to kill King Duncan was because of his wife. She mocks Macbeth several times in the book by saying that he is cowardly and is not manly. I thought this tempted Macbeth to make a final decision to Kill Duncan.

2. After the discussion, I kind of changed my mind and also heard new ideas that were very interesting. When Joshua first came up with the idea that Macbeth's decision was not made merely by Lady Macbeth's sayings, I thought it was very interesting. It was true that Macbeth himself did have some sort of ambition to become king prior to Scene VII. I now think that the driving force of his final decision was Lady Macbeth's mocking Macbeth and her plan as well as Macbeth's internal ambition he has to become king.

= ASSIGNMENT 3 =

1.7 Discussion Preparation Evidence
"Why has Macbeth decided to kill King Duncan by the end of Act 1?"

At first, Macbeth is unsure because he doesn’t know if they will succeed in killing Duncan and also because Duncan trusts him so much. He believes he should not kill Duncan as a host and as a kinsman. “He’s here in double trust: First, as I am his kinsman and his subject, strong both against the deed;” (1.7.12) Lady Macbeth convinces Macbeth that he is a coward and that he should gain courage because she believes it will be successful without doubt. “But screw your courage to the sticking place And we’ll not fail.” (1.7.61) “Wouldst thou have that Which though esteem’st the ornament of life, And live a coward in thine own esteem, Letting “I dare not” wait upon “I would,” Like the poor cat i’th’ adage?” (1.7.42) The main reason is because of Lady Macbeth and Macbeth is affected by her beliefs and therefore decides to kill Duncan.

= ASSIGNMENT 2 =

1.5~1.6 Reflection

 * What do we learn about Lady Macbeth in these scenes?
 * We learn that Lady Macbeth is happy that her husband received the title of thane of Cawdor, but at the same time she has ambitions for greater positions. She is not satisfied with what she has right now and wants more. She is very greedy as well as crafty because she mentions how she would even kill Duncan for power.


 * How might Lady Macbeth answer the question “What is the meaning of life?” Explain your answer.
 * Lady Macbeth might think that the meaning of life is merely to gain more power and glory in a high social rank. This is because she has dark ambitions for more power. Her beliefs shown in the book show her that the most important thing to her is not rationality or morality, but power and a high social class.


 * Identify and write out two of Lady Macbeth’s lines that are particularly striking. Explain why you selected the lines.
 * "Look like th'innocent flower, But be the serpent under't" (1.5.65)
 * This line is striking because it shows how Lady Macbeth is trying to get what she wants. Even by using her husband she wants to get the social rank. This line actually shows her two-sided personality, as being nice and kind in the outside but actually having dark and greedy ambitions in the inside.
 * "To beguile the time, Look like the time; bear welcome in your eye, Your hand, your tongue." (1.5.63)
 * This line was particularly striking to me because it showed how Lady Macbeth would act in front of others. In order to fool people, you should look the way people expect you to look. In this example, it means to look welcoming in order to make Duncan feel welcomed.


 * Identify one significant word that Lady Macbeth uses in 1.5 or 1.6, and define both the denotation and connotation of the word. Explain why you think the word is significant.
 * Crowned
 * Denotation: Ceremonially place a crown on the head of someone to invest them as a monarch.
 * Connotation: Positive meaning, because by being crowned not only fame but also supreme power and glory are granted.
 * I think the word is significant because it is the ultimate goal of Lady Macbeth. She would do anything to be crowned.

= ASSIGNMENT 1 =

1.3 Reflection
Vocabulary

1. Aroint - Order of dismissal 2. Dwindle - diminish 3. Chappy - chapped 4. Blasted - blow up 5. Prophetic - predicting the future 6. Soliciting - tempting 7. Whence - from what place 8. Capital - deserving death 9. Corporal - relating to body 10. Thine - yours

Lines

1. What are these So wither'd and so wild in their attire, That look not like the inhabitants o' the earth, And yet are on't? Paraphrased: What are these, that look like extraterrestrial creatures, though are still on it, and wear such queer clothes? 2. Upon her skinny lips: you should be women, And yet your beards forbid me to interpret That you are so. Paraphrased: Looking at your slim lips: you must be women, but your beards stop me from thinking that you are. 3. Good sir, why do you start; and seem to fear Things that do sound so fair? Paraphrased: Good sir, why are you so surprised; and seem to be afraid of Things that are so good? 4. Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none: So all hail, Macbeth and Banquo! Paraphrased: You will get kings, though you will not be one: So all hail, Macbeth and Banquo! 5. The thane of Cawdor lives: why do you dress me In borrow'd robes? Paraphrased: The thane of Cawdor lives: why do you give me someone else's titles?

Characters

Witches: They can foresee the future of people and can also cast spells at people. Macbeth: He is a thane and is predicted by the witches to be king soon. Banquo: He is predicted to have a king son in the future by the witches. Ross: He is sent by the King of Cawdor to honor Macbeth with the title of the thane of Cawdor. Angus: He is also sent from Cawdor to honor Macbeth with the title. He tells us that the original thane of Cawdor has been removed from his position because he did something wrong.

1.3 Outline

In 1.3, the three witches talk about cursing a sailor because of the misdeed a sailor's wife did to them. And then, they encounter Macbeth and Banquo, and talk about their futures: that Macbeth will become the thane of Cawdor and will soon become king, and that Banquo will have a son who will become a king. Macbeth does not believe the witches at first, but the two messengers Ross and Angus come to tell Macbeth that he has been entitled as the thane of Cawdor. This shows that the witches have predicted Macbeth's future accurately.

1.3 Conflict

The conflict in this section is that the witches were able to predict the future of Macbeth, and possibly the future of Banquo. This is a conflict because it confuses Macbeth and it provoked jealousy of Banquo towards Macbeth.