Blog 18: Female Roles Shakespeare's Macbeth

Now that our reading of the tragic drama, Macbeth, is complete, we are able to take a more critical eye to aspects of theme, characterization, and plot. Perhaps one of the most glaring observations about the play is the limited influence of female roles. In fact, the two main female characters, Lady Macbeth ad Lady Macduff, are only referenced in terms of their husbands. This detail is very telling of the time period in which Shakespeare wrote and the time period the story takes place.

I agree with that he said. One thing I agree with is "Lady Macbeth taunts him and mocks his sexuality to force him to get the courage to kill Duncan. He insists that “I dare do all that may become a man, who dares do more is none”. I agree with this because Lady Macbeth thinks that if she can take something away from Macbeth like something he needs then he will do anything she wants. She did exactly that and she got what she wanted.

Blog 17: Act V Study Guide Questions

Answer the following Act V questions based on your reading from the past two days. You may work with a partner, but your responses should be original. Complete sentences and use of textual support is required [at least two quotations]. Posted: Fri., 1.15.10, beginning of class

Act V, scene ii

1. What does Angus say about the men that Macbeth commands? "now does he feel his secret murders sticking on his hands. Now minutely revolts upbraid his faith-reach. THose he commands move only in command, Nothing in love. Now does he feel his title hang loose about him, like a giant's robe upon a dwarfish theif"

2. How is the "plant" metaphor started in Act I, sc. iv, by Duncan, continued in this scene?

Duncan is telling Banquo "i have begun to plant thee and will labor to make thee full of growing." this shows that he wants to make Banquo the next king

Act V, scene iii

1. What are Macbeth's troops doing? Why does he remain so confident?

He is getting them ready for a battle. He doesn't think that there is any way that someone will kill him, no man born from women could kill him.

2. How does Macbeth acknowledge that Scotland is suffering?

He puts his armor on before they leave, thinking he will be hurt.

Act V, scene iv

1. Who is Siward? What is his opinion of the king?

Siward is the commander of English forces, he doesn't like the king, he thinks the king is a tyrant

2. What tactical strategy does Malcom implement? What is its purpose and why is it significant to the play?

He told them to take branches with them to hide how many soldiers there are.

Act V, scene v

1. How does the sound of the woman's cry affect Macbeth?

It reminds him what fear feels like

2. Who dies in this scene? What are the main ideas of Macbeth's soliloquy after this event?

Macbeth dies, he says that he is ready to fight and no one will be able to kill him.

3. What does Macbeth now recognize about the prophecies? How does his realization relate to the play's central theme?

He knows that you cant always believe what you are told, it relates to the central theme because he came to the conclusion that foul is fair, and that it was okay for the witches to trick him.

Blog 16: Story Time Macbeth Style

Act III: Story Time

The witches, ghosts, and characters in Shakespeare's Macbeth are sinister and frightening. Suppose you are invited into an elementary classroom to share the play Macbeth with all of the kids.

How would you hold the "story time" without giving the children nightmares? Write an adaptation [another version] of the events in the play, which include the scarier aspects of the play: Macbeth, the witches, and the ghosts.

Post this story to your own blog, and then critique another classmate's version for appropriate content.

The three friends of Mr. M went to go speak with Banquo. Upon arrival, Banquo was with Fleance. The friends put Banquo in a deep sleep to never wake up, but Fleance did not want to go into one so he ran away.

Then one of Mr. M's friends showed up at the banquet at Mr. M's to inform him of Fleance, running away. Then Mr. M sat down at the table and began to daydream about Banquo at the dinner table.

Blog 15: New Year's Premonitions

Banquo cautions his war comrade Macbeth about the Three Weird Sisters' [Witches] premonitions: "The instruments of darkness tell us truths;/ Win us with honest trifles, to betray's/ In deepest consequence..." (Act I, scene iii, lines 123-125). Here Banquo clearly states his position on the Witches' statements. Explain in a few sentences what Banquo means with these lines for their futures.

In this post, also consider what you believe for your future in the year 2010. Premonitions are similar to New Year's Resolutions in that they have an element of self-fulfilling prophecy. One sort of resolution has to do only with oneself. You might decide to lose weight, to stop eating candy, to exercise more, or watch less TV. Other resolutions might involve family or friends. You could resolve to be more patient with your little brother or more helpful to mom. Some resolutions are about school and the outside world, such as getting to class on time or trying for better grades. Make one goal for each New Year's Resolution category: Personal Improvement, Family and Friends, and School and the Outside World.

Banquo thinks the whole situation is strange. He is saying that they're telling us this truth to lead to our discussion.

A family premonition is that I will be more patient with brother. A school premonition would be to keep being organized and stay on top of things. A premonition for the outside world would be to figure out a new more efficient energy system to use.

[Two-Three Paragraph Minimum, 10 Points, Posted by 1.05.10]