Friday, August 15, 2014

Act 5, Scene 5 II 17-24, Macbeth, Style

               
                      In William Shakepeare's Macbeth, Act 5, Scene 5 begins at castle in Diensinane. Macbeth begins to tel his people in the castle to start hanging banners on the castle's walls because their castle is too strong to be overthrown. Macbeth is confident that his enemies will retreat. In the near distance Macbeth and others in the castle hear the cry of a woman. Seyton speaks up and announces that the Queen, Lady Macbeth has been killed. Surprised, Macbeth goes into a small speech about the events that are taking place and he mentions that his life is "a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury". A messenger interrupts Macbeth's speech and informs him that the English and Scottish enemies have advanced from Birnamwood to Diensinane. Macbeth becomes extremely angry and terrified of his fate. He knows that the witches prophecy told his that he could not die until his enemies reached Diensinanne. Knowing his fate in the prophecy, Macbeth declares that at least he will die fighting for what he believes in. 
                     In this certain passage there is a shift in the confidence level of Macbeth. In the beginning of the scene, Macbeth was confident that his enemies would turn away and he was almost jolly with no worries like he has been almost the whole play. When he discovered that his wife had been murdered, Macbeth started to fear for his life and started to believe that he was in danger and they could be gutting for him next. Macbeth suddenly realized that the prophecy is coming true and that his enemies are approaching the castle, Macbeth feels terrified for his life and especially angry that his life may be coming to an end. This scene foreshadows Macbeth's death because of all the dangers he is now in. Macbeth even said he knew he would fight dying.
                     There are many different components of style in Act 5, Scene 5 of Macbeth. In Macbeth's speech he repeats the word 'tomorrow' three times to highlight the fact that the Queen "should have died hereafter." Macbeth thinks she should have died at least tomorrow after the war so people could mourn her death properly rather than it happening at the same time as the battle. Also in this small speech, Macbeth explains, "Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player That struts and frets his hour upon the stage And then is heard no more." Here Macbeth compares his life to an illusion, like a person who is on stage walking around but never really means anything and goes away without seeing them again. Therefore, he believes his life is pointless and has no meaning.
                     This scene connects with the entire play because it foreshadows the end of the play, Macbeth's death. Macbeth has killed many innocent people just so he could stay king. After Lady Macbeth's death it was obvious that he was next because they both had evil minds. This scene also solidified that the prophecy from the beginning of this play was true. The only thing left in this play was for the actual killing of Macbeth.   

Thursday, August 7, 2014

Act 4, Scene 2, II. 14-26 Ross, Characterization


           In William Shakepeare's Macbeth, Act 4, Scene 2 begins  at Macduff's castle. Lady Macduff asked Ross why her husband fled to England. Lady Macduff revealed that she felt betrayed by her husband. Ross then made sure to tell Lady Macduff to trust her husband and left even though he felt guilty for it. Right after Ross left Lady Macduff told her son that his father had passed away. Her son does not believe a word of this. A messenger then told Lady Macbeth that she and her family was in danger and told her to flee the country. Lady Macduff questions the reason why she would flee the country because she believes she has not done anything. Right after this conversation the murders barged into the room and one of the murders called Macduff a traitor. Macduff's son and spoke up and called the murderer a liar. The murder then stabbed Macduff's son and he told his mother to run away before he died. Lady Macduff runs away crying with the murders running close behind.
            In this Act Lady Macduff was extremely worried about her husband. Her worry turned to anger and she felt abandoned by her husband and believed that he lacked kindness. The Thane of Ross tried to convince Lady Macduff that her husband is not a traitor and he needs to be trusted by calling him "noble, wise, and judicious." Ross believes in Macduff's wisdom and wants Lady Macduff to believe in Macduff and trust in why he fled. Ross, however, felt really guilty to leave Lady Macduff after their conversation. Ross obviously knew something was wrong and Macduff's family actually could be in danger. Here Ross's character seems to be timid and selfish because he did not tell Macduff's family that they were in danger. Unfortunately Ross left anyway and soon after he departed Macduff's son was stabbed and his wife had to run away.
             Macbeth's character keeps turning into an evil person throughout this play. Macbeth has now murdered three people that could get in his way. Now he has went as far as killing not only Macduff, but also his family. This Act is important to the whole play because it foreshadows the fact that Macbeth is only getting worse and other people are starting to catch on to his schemes. Macbeth could be overthrown because of his evil character. Many people are starting to become very upset with all of the casualties of many innocent people.

Thursday, July 31, 2014

Act 3, Scene 2, II. 1-10 Macbeth, Tone


             In the beginning of Act 3, Scene 2, of Macbeth, Lady Macbeth sent a servant to send her husband, Macbeth, due to her bad mood. Macbeth also mentioned that he was unhappy too. He knew that killing Duncan was wrong and he felt guilty about it. Lady Macbeth tried to make him feel better and told him to get ready to join his guests that night. Macbeth went on to tell his wife that although they killed Duncan, their deeds are not over because there are still more people who could threaten his thrown. Therefore, Macbeth told Lady Macbeth that he was planning to murder Banquo and his son Fleance. He also reassures her wife to be kind to Banquo at their feast for a fake sense of security for Banquo.
             In this particular scene the audience is well aware that Macbeth is still feeling guilty about his vicious killing of Duncan, even though he has plans of killing more people just so he can keep his thrown. The audience also can clearly see that Macbeth is very indecisive when it comes to how he feels about murdering Duncan. He also went straight from feeling bad about Duncan right to telling his wife about his plan to kill two more people who might have gotten in the way of taking his thrown. This scene is important to the play because a common theme keeps popping up with Macbeth. He has doubts about his actions, but continues to do the most vicious act just to stay King.
            The tone in this scene starts out as reflective and feelings of guiltiness with Macbeth. He speaks to Lady Macbeth and reflects to her about his feelings about Duncan. As Lady Macbeth tries to reassure her husband that the murder was the best thing for him to do, the mood drastically changes from guiltiness to malicious and greedy. Macbeth then explained his idea to kill off both Banquo and his son Fleance just so he can keep his thrown. He is willing to do something as vicious as killing someone just so he can greedily be King.
             During this whole play, Macbeth will feel guilty about each murder but will continue to do anything to ensure his safety and thrown. This scene also foreshadows that Macbeth's greed will continue to overpower his guiltiness and he will continue to kill people under any circumstances. His wife is also most likely to continue to stay on his side and help to convince him that he needs to do this vicious deeds so he and her can continue to have ultimate power.

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Act 2, Scene 5, II. 42-end of scene Macbeth, Texture

        In Act 2, Scene 2 of William Shakespear's Macbeth, Banquo and his son Fleance took a trip to Macbeth's castle and Banquo discusses with his son and later Macbeth that he wishes to stay awake because he keeps having reoccurring dreams about "the three weird sisters." Banquo also explained to Macbeth how he thinks that the witches have revealed more "truth" to Macbeth. Macbeth responded that he has not thought of the witches since their encounter with them in the woods. Macbeth and Banquo then both agreed to discuss the witches prophecy at a later time without the presence of Fleance. Just after Banquo and Fleance leave, Macbeth had a vision of a dagger floating in the air next to him. He described that the handle of this weapon was pointing towards his hand, while the sharp tip was pointing towards Duncan, the King. However, when Macbeth tried to grab a hold of the dagger but failed. Macbeth pondered whether this vision was truly real or not just before he realized there was blood on the end of the blade. That is when Macbeth realized that he is becoming obsessed with Duncan and decides to carry on with the evil plan.
          This scene gives the audience the idea that Macbeth will do absolutely anything to make sure he becomes king. Macbeth’s want to talk about the prophecies at some future point suggests that he might have some sort of insidious plans in mind. Also, if Macbeth succeeds and murders Duncan, it is probable that he will be driven to act in more violence before his crown is secure. This may be the beginning of the cruel doing of Macbeth and he will most likely change into a ruthless ruler. Along with Lady Macbeth's help these two may people able to take over the crown and become the ultimate rulers.
         The texture in this certain act stuck out to me because of the abundant amount of imagery and the revealing traits about Macbeth in the soliloquy. Macbeth questioned his sanity after he failed to grip the dagger that was floating right in front of him. He questions, "To feel as to sight? Or art thou but a dagger of the mind, a false creation" and starts to wonder if this vision is even real. Macbeth almost goes to a mental state of mind when picturing this dagger floating before him. This soliloquy was also descriptive which made it easier for the audience to imagine exactly what Macbeth saw. The audience could imagine a dagger floating right before Macbeth's eyes with the handle pointing towards his hand. As Macbeth exclaimed, "Come, let me clutch thee" one can picture him grabbing towards this dagger. The next line then Macbeth explains, "I have thee not and yet I see thee still!" Macbeth could not physically grab the weapon. Later on in the soliloquy, Macbeth reveals, "It is the bloody business which informs thus to mine eyes." The floating dagger is now drenched in blood and this gives Macbeth the drive to proceed with the plan and kill Duncan.
        This scene in particular connects to the play as a whole because it is the beginning of Macbeth's evil plan to become King. It foreshadows the crazy mindset Macbeth has, and it can only get worse. Macbeth feels the drive to kill Duncan which is only the start of the vicious things he could do in the future to keep his crown. Macbeth's character will only become more and more ruthless from here because of his desire to have all the power he can get.

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Act 1, Scene 5, II. 12/15-27/30 Lady Macbeth, Figurative Language


          In William Shakepeare's Macbeth, Act I, Scene 5 begins with Lady Macbeth reading a letter from her husband Macbeth in his castle. In this letter Macbeth writes that he has become the thane of Cawdor. Macbeth also mentions the prophecy given by the witches he and Banquo met on their way to the King's court at the Forres. Macbeth was amazed that the witches were correct about him becoming the thane of Cawdor. He also discusses that the prophecy said that he one day may become King. While Lady Macbeth knows that her husband is ambitious and will try to fight to become king; however, she fears he is "too full o'the milk of human-kindness" to make himself king. Macbeth's compassion may stop him from proceeding with cruel deeds in order to become King. Lady Macbeth reveals that she wants to convince her husband to do whatever is required to become King. Later Macbeth tells his wife that Duncan will be leaving tomorrow after he visits tonight. Lady Macbeth cleverly announces that she has a plan and Duncan may never live to see tomorrow.
    
          In this Act the audience learns that Lady Macbeth is a powerful character that would do anything to make her husband the King. She is willing to go to the depths of killing another King to dethrone him. Lady Macbeth also shows her doubt with her husband's abilities to fight to become king. She believes he is too weak to do anything good for himself, while she believes she is very powerful and ruthless. It is up to Lady Macbeth to convince her husband to do the vulgar deeds in order for him to become King. Lady Macbeth is either going to make or break Macbeth's journey into becoming King.
   
          A metaphor was presented in Act I, Scene 5, Lines 62-64 which says "Look like the time, bear welcome in your eye, your hand, your tongue, look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under't." Here Lady Macbeth explains to Macbeth that he must be kind with kind eyes, a welcoming hand, and tasteful treats for the King to prove his innocence in the beginning of the night, even though he will kill him later on, so he can become King himself. At the beginning of the night Macbeth will "look like an innocent flower" making it far from obvious that he will turn into "the serpent under't" while he slays Duncan later on that night.
    
         This passage connects with the play as a whole because the traits and ambitions of Lady Macbeth foreshadow how involved she will be throughout the play. She is willing to be ruthless to any innocent man no matter what so her husband and her herself can have power too. The audience also gets an idea of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's relationship and differences they have to go through. Lady Macbeth seems to pick Macbeth's battles and make decisions for him. The audiences gets the idea that both of these people would love to have all the power they can; however, Lady Macbeth is more willing to do the evil deeds to have the power.