Scene I:
Lines 1-38 show the most horrific and gothic scenes in the play because the witches are engrossed in an ugly ritual (emphasised by the chants and hellish language). They throw in repulsing ingredients to make a sickening brew. Macbeth is obsessed with one thought: the desire to know the future. He appeals to the witches to answer him, irrespective of the appalling consequences that it might bring about and even if the result is the destruction of the world – ‘Though castles topple… Though palaces and pyramids do slope’. His language is also like that of the witches. He starts one of his speeches by saying ‘I conjure you’. It’s as if he is trying to displace the power of the witches onto himself.
The witches show Macbeth the apparitions and let him hear his future. However, he disregards the reassurances and still swears to kill Macduff. It gets you questioning the witches’ motives. Do they want to help him? Or are they just pushing destiny along, knowing how Macbeth would react to the apparitions, and making sure that what is meant to happen will happen? The procession of the eight kings and Banquo is makes the reader quite sceptic as to Shakespeare’s meaning. It could be a warning that many more would rule England and Macbeth’s reign isn’t going to last forever.
In Macbeth’s soliloquy, he shows a great sense of urgency and his brutal first instincts is to kill innocent people and children as to reassure himself that Macduff or anyone related to him will not interfere with his position as king. The depth of his brutality seems to heighten every time after he has an encounter with the witches.
Scene II:
There is an apparent change of scene from Macbeth’s violent thoughts to the innocence that surrounds Macduff’s castle and his family. The son creates a jolly atmosphere and he jokes around about quite serious things such as his father’s flight. Lady Macduff says – ‘our fears do make us traitors’ referring to her husband. However, this is more appropriate for Macbeth’s behaviour. It just emphasises his secrecy and corruption. The blame is put on the people who actually haven’t done anything wrong.
The son’s playfulness has glimpses of dangerous times – traps for the innocent and widespread treachery. He says – ‘the liars and swearers are fools because there are liars and swearers enough to beat the honest men and hang them up’. The connotation of evil taking over the good is shown in his sudden death. From a very relaxed teasing atmosphere to a horrific murder, Macbeth also shows his sudden change from good to evil with this deed. The murders aren’t usually staged but I think it is actually shown on this scene to emphasise the height of Macbeth’s evilness.
However, despite Macbeth’s reign of terror, some glimmer of goodness still flicker in Scotland. The messenger was willing to risk his life to warn the Macduffs. It shows how there is still hope for good to recover again. Also, the fact that the son tells his mother to ‘Run away, I pray you’, shows how there are still some people around willing to try and save the innocent, even if their own life is already in jeaopardy.
Scene III:
Macduff urges Malcolm to defend Scotland, which is suffering under Macbeth’s tyranny. At first, Malcolm voices his suspicions that Macduff is Macbeth’s agent and he does this by testing his sincerity for the country. He claims that his vices exceed Macbeth’s – ‘bloody’, ‘avaricious’, ‘deceitful’, and many more. Macduff however doesn’t find a problem with Malcolm saying that he is ‘luxurious’ by saying – ‘We have willing dames enough’, suggesting that more women will be willing to prostitute themselves to a king. Macduff’s dismissal of lust as an unimportant quality in a leader emphasises how men were like in Shakespeare’s time.
Macduff couldn’t take any more of Malcolm’s self condemnation and rejects him as unfit to live. This is when Malcolm dismisses his suspicions. Once they talk over Macbeth’s reign, they personify ‘Evil’, which greatly highlights its invasion over Scotland. Ross even describes the country as a country ‘almost afraid to know itself’. Ross knows what happened to Macduff’s family but lies first before actually revealing the bad news. Why does he delay?
Friday, November 13, 2009
Act Three: Macbeth Reading Journal
Scene I:
Macbeth and Banquo, as in the second act, are portrayed as very contrasting characters. Macbeth has evil intentions for his friend, which he hides through using apparently well-meaning words. For example, Macbeth’s order – ‘Fail not our feast’ is deeply ironic because Macbeth intends that Banquo will never arrive, having been murdered at Macbeth’s command. Banquo, on the other hand tells him – ‘Let your highness command upon me, to the which my duties are with a most indissoluble tie forever knit’. This emphasises his ongoing loyalty and respect for Macbeth.
Also, the fact that Macbeth dismisses his wife in court whilst saying – ‘While then, God be with you’ - makes you think that the balance between evil with the two of them has shifted. It makes the audience think whether Macbeth becoming king has made him more evil than Lady Macbeth, which is a distinctive contrast to the previous act. She used to order him around and now he does the same to her.
The murders are also a crucial part of the scene. Macbeth gets two other men to do his dirty work, instead of doing it himself. He has made himself like all other typical tyrants in other stories. This is a colder approach to what he did with Duncan, which suggests that his morality has changed from earlier scenes. Or maybe he fears to feel the same conscience again?
Scene II:
Shakespeare uses contrasting words or phrases, which suggest uneasiness between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth and also Macbeth’s troubled conscience (e.g. – ‘our desire… without heart’s content). The scene also shows how Lady Macbeth feels weary and isolated with the marriage, which is a huge contrast to previous speeches from her of a sexual nature – ‘unsex me’.
Macbeth’s lines also use terrifyingly intense images (‘thy bloody and invisible hand’ and ‘night’s black agents to their preys do rouse’), quite similar to his previous soliloquy about the dagger. This is not a good sign as at the time that speech led to a very evil Macbeth. It implies that Macbeth is just going to turn more and more evil.
Scene III:
This is a very short scene but it is full of action. It is set in the darkness, which sets out the gothic theme within the play again. Also, the murder is actually set out on stage and not behind the scenes. I think this shows how greatly the change is with Macbeth. The level of his evil is rising and it is emphasised with the murders he performs or initiates.
Scene IV:
A banquet is meant to be a harmony between the king and his subjects. It is ironic that this scene is of a banquet because Macbeth has violated that harmony by killing the previous king and Banquo. His behaviour is pretence. Also, once again, Macbeth avoids naming the deed he has just asked the murderers to perform – probably to avoid feeling conscience. He uses evasive language by calling it words or phrases such as ‘dispatched’ and ‘the like’ and ‘it’.
The ghost is a very significant part of this scene because it emphasises the supernatural and gothic element of the play. Not only that, but it mirrors Macbeth’s guilt and irrational decisions. The fact that Duncan’s ghost did not appear is also questionable. He felt conscience then but maybe because he did not do the deed himself, he had to face the consequences of his actions by seeing Banquo’s ghost.
Macbeth’s starts to lose his cool and so does Lady Macbeth and whispers of Macbeth’s role as a king start to surface. Their guilt is proving harder to cover up.
Scene V:
The return of the witches continues to drum in the fact that the supernatural element in Macbeth plays a big part in the events that have happened and will follow. The fact that a higher power – Hecate – comes in to tell the witches how wrong they were by interfering suggests that there is a bigger picture to everything that is happening. It is just destiny’s plans for Macbeth and Scotland. Words such as ‘spells’ and ‘charms’ also emphasise the supernatural’s influence on the play.
Scene VI:
The unnamed Lord has a similar dramatic function as to the Old Man in the second act. However, his words are of hope and peace whilst the old man’s was of the strangeness and chaos. This could be connotations of future peace in Scotland.
Macbeth and Banquo, as in the second act, are portrayed as very contrasting characters. Macbeth has evil intentions for his friend, which he hides through using apparently well-meaning words. For example, Macbeth’s order – ‘Fail not our feast’ is deeply ironic because Macbeth intends that Banquo will never arrive, having been murdered at Macbeth’s command. Banquo, on the other hand tells him – ‘Let your highness command upon me, to the which my duties are with a most indissoluble tie forever knit’. This emphasises his ongoing loyalty and respect for Macbeth.
Also, the fact that Macbeth dismisses his wife in court whilst saying – ‘While then, God be with you’ - makes you think that the balance between evil with the two of them has shifted. It makes the audience think whether Macbeth becoming king has made him more evil than Lady Macbeth, which is a distinctive contrast to the previous act. She used to order him around and now he does the same to her.
The murders are also a crucial part of the scene. Macbeth gets two other men to do his dirty work, instead of doing it himself. He has made himself like all other typical tyrants in other stories. This is a colder approach to what he did with Duncan, which suggests that his morality has changed from earlier scenes. Or maybe he fears to feel the same conscience again?
Scene II:
Shakespeare uses contrasting words or phrases, which suggest uneasiness between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth and also Macbeth’s troubled conscience (e.g. – ‘our desire… without heart’s content). The scene also shows how Lady Macbeth feels weary and isolated with the marriage, which is a huge contrast to previous speeches from her of a sexual nature – ‘unsex me’.
Macbeth’s lines also use terrifyingly intense images (‘thy bloody and invisible hand’ and ‘night’s black agents to their preys do rouse’), quite similar to his previous soliloquy about the dagger. This is not a good sign as at the time that speech led to a very evil Macbeth. It implies that Macbeth is just going to turn more and more evil.
Scene III:
This is a very short scene but it is full of action. It is set in the darkness, which sets out the gothic theme within the play again. Also, the murder is actually set out on stage and not behind the scenes. I think this shows how greatly the change is with Macbeth. The level of his evil is rising and it is emphasised with the murders he performs or initiates.
Scene IV:
A banquet is meant to be a harmony between the king and his subjects. It is ironic that this scene is of a banquet because Macbeth has violated that harmony by killing the previous king and Banquo. His behaviour is pretence. Also, once again, Macbeth avoids naming the deed he has just asked the murderers to perform – probably to avoid feeling conscience. He uses evasive language by calling it words or phrases such as ‘dispatched’ and ‘the like’ and ‘it’.
The ghost is a very significant part of this scene because it emphasises the supernatural and gothic element of the play. Not only that, but it mirrors Macbeth’s guilt and irrational decisions. The fact that Duncan’s ghost did not appear is also questionable. He felt conscience then but maybe because he did not do the deed himself, he had to face the consequences of his actions by seeing Banquo’s ghost.
Macbeth’s starts to lose his cool and so does Lady Macbeth and whispers of Macbeth’s role as a king start to surface. Their guilt is proving harder to cover up.
Scene V:
The return of the witches continues to drum in the fact that the supernatural element in Macbeth plays a big part in the events that have happened and will follow. The fact that a higher power – Hecate – comes in to tell the witches how wrong they were by interfering suggests that there is a bigger picture to everything that is happening. It is just destiny’s plans for Macbeth and Scotland. Words such as ‘spells’ and ‘charms’ also emphasise the supernatural’s influence on the play.
Scene VI:
The unnamed Lord has a similar dramatic function as to the Old Man in the second act. However, his words are of hope and peace whilst the old man’s was of the strangeness and chaos. This could be connotations of future peace in Scotland.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
The Significance of the Witches in Macbeth
I think the witches are present in the play because they act as the instigators for the dreadful events that follow their predictions. They create a tense environment in the sense that at the time, christianity was abundant and witchcraft was frowned upon. By Macbeth acting on the witches' predictions, he therefore becomes evil. The witches not only initiate his thought of murder and corruption but also represent the evil that has corrupted his own thoughts, feelings and judgement.
Some would argue that they are pawns in the events that happen, as is Macbeth. However, I think differently. The usual supernatural characters that are present in Shakespeare's plays are ghosts. Witchcraft is a completely different matter and I think this emphasises the evil surrounding Macbeth and the country whereas ghosts act more as a memory or a symbol of the past.
Some would argue that they are pawns in the events that happen, as is Macbeth. However, I think differently. The usual supernatural characters that are present in Shakespeare's plays are ghosts. Witchcraft is a completely different matter and I think this emphasises the evil surrounding Macbeth and the country whereas ghosts act more as a memory or a symbol of the past.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Act Two: Macbeth Reading Journal
Scene I:
Gothic connotations – night time, the moon
Shakespeare contrasts Macbeth and Banquo. Banquo says – ‘Restrain in me the cursed thoughts’ – which shows how he is being honourable. He does not want to betray Duncan. This is reinforced when he says ‘keep my bosom franchised and allegiance clear’, emphasising his loyalty as well.
Macbeth on the other hand is full of deception and scheming. He lies about Duncan. He says he was ‘unprepared’ and that he did not entertain Duncan as much as he wished - quite in contrast to his plans of killing him. He also lies when Duncan said he dreamt about the wishes by replying – ‘I think not of them’. He then tries to recruit Banquo and force him into his plans when he says – ‘If you shall cleave to my consent… It shall make honour for you’.
Macbeth’s soliloquy – He is hallucinating about a dagger, referring it to death – ‘fatal vision’. He says that the vision is ‘proceeding from the heat-oppressed brain’. This could have a double meaning. He could mean that he is just feverish because he is nervous about what he is about to do. However, the reference to oppression could mean Lady Macbeth’s domination over his mind and his morality.
He pulls out his own dagger, telling it to ‘marshall’st’ the way to Duncan’s death. He is, in a way, personifying the dagger. It has authority power over him. It’s as if he is displacing the deed he is about to perform to the dagger. It is going to be the dagger’s fault and not his. His hallucination then intensifies as he starts seeing ‘gouts of blood’ on the imaginary dagger. This is the turning point to his speech because the dagger represents his thoughts and the blood is almost like a premonition about what is going to happen next. His mind is decided.
His speech then turns rather sinister. It’s as if the balance of his morality has altered. He thinks the evil things are good and the good things are bad which leads up to his final decision to kill the king. (Image – slowly turning evil)
Scene II:
An owl shrieking – nocturnal creature that preys on small animals
The owl shrieks while Lady Macbeth is talking. She calls it ‘the fatal bellman’ – a connotation of the deed that had just been performed. The owl could be her character, who preys on the helpless king, or even Macbeth who seems to oblige to her whims.
Macbeth shows his nervousness through the short rapid lines showing paranoia while Lady Macbeth keeps her calm and justifying everything, trying to ease Macbeth’s worries. The short lines also show how quick their conversation is going, emphasising on the suddenness of the deed and also Macbeth’s nervousness. There is an imbalance of power between both characters, Lady Macbeth taking the lead (‘Give me the daggers’, ‘Go carry them’) The imperative verbs that she uses emphasise her control.
There is a clear moral difference between both of them. Macbeth is conscience-striken. He struggles to say ‘Amen’, which suggests that his prayer is thwarted or suggests that even if he finished the deed, it will still live on and he will still carry it forever. He has self-condemned himself as he hears voices that drill into him what a horrible thing he has done. Lady Macbeth seems in control and devoid of neither conscience nor fear, as opposed to Macbeth who is full of both. As Macbeth is in shock, appalled at what he has done, Lady Macbeth’s only concern is to avoid blame.
Scene III:
The porter comes in and gives the audience a space for laughter after the very dramatic scene previously. Some may argue that this part of the scene was completely unnecessary but some of the jokes the porter makes seem to have implications of what was going on so far in the play. For example, his reference to ‘th’everlasting bonfire’ could be the damnation that Hamlet is feeling after he committed Duncan’s murder.
Macbeth shows Macduff to Duncan’s room and Macduff comes out horrified after finding out. Macbeth continues as if he doesn’t know anything. Lady Macbeth also pretends concern and amazement. There is a huge buzz around the castle and the scene seems very alert, contrary to what it was like in the past two scenes where the atmosphere has been quiet and secretive.
Macbeth uses very elaborate words to convince people that he is devastated by the news (‘renown and grace is dead’, ‘The wine of life is drawn’). His calmness and way with words completely contrast his fear and paranoia in the previous scene. Lady Macbeth faints and Macduff becomes suspicious. As the king’s son’s fear for their lives, Donaldbain says – ‘There’s daggers in men’s smiles’. The theme of deception comes up again suggesting a mysterious air in the Macbeth castle.
Scene IV:
The old man’s appearance in the play shows the event’s universality – how the murder of Duncan reflects in nature and society. It brings an outsider’s perspective into account, which is a nice break from all the royalty. It emphasises how people from the outside can still be affected by what happens with royalty. The old man’s speech also reflects on Macbeth’s soliloquy in the first scene of this act – ‘nature seems dead’. Everything is weird and strange and not how they are supposed to be. Macbeth’s deed has altered what is morally right. We also learn that Macbeth is going to be named king during this scene.
Gothic connotations – supernatural taking over?
Gothic connotations – night time, the moon
Shakespeare contrasts Macbeth and Banquo. Banquo says – ‘Restrain in me the cursed thoughts’ – which shows how he is being honourable. He does not want to betray Duncan. This is reinforced when he says ‘keep my bosom franchised and allegiance clear’, emphasising his loyalty as well.
Macbeth on the other hand is full of deception and scheming. He lies about Duncan. He says he was ‘unprepared’ and that he did not entertain Duncan as much as he wished - quite in contrast to his plans of killing him. He also lies when Duncan said he dreamt about the wishes by replying – ‘I think not of them’. He then tries to recruit Banquo and force him into his plans when he says – ‘If you shall cleave to my consent… It shall make honour for you’.
Macbeth’s soliloquy – He is hallucinating about a dagger, referring it to death – ‘fatal vision’. He says that the vision is ‘proceeding from the heat-oppressed brain’. This could have a double meaning. He could mean that he is just feverish because he is nervous about what he is about to do. However, the reference to oppression could mean Lady Macbeth’s domination over his mind and his morality.
He pulls out his own dagger, telling it to ‘marshall’st’ the way to Duncan’s death. He is, in a way, personifying the dagger. It has authority power over him. It’s as if he is displacing the deed he is about to perform to the dagger. It is going to be the dagger’s fault and not his. His hallucination then intensifies as he starts seeing ‘gouts of blood’ on the imaginary dagger. This is the turning point to his speech because the dagger represents his thoughts and the blood is almost like a premonition about what is going to happen next. His mind is decided.
His speech then turns rather sinister. It’s as if the balance of his morality has altered. He thinks the evil things are good and the good things are bad which leads up to his final decision to kill the king. (Image – slowly turning evil)
Scene II:
An owl shrieking – nocturnal creature that preys on small animals
The owl shrieks while Lady Macbeth is talking. She calls it ‘the fatal bellman’ – a connotation of the deed that had just been performed. The owl could be her character, who preys on the helpless king, or even Macbeth who seems to oblige to her whims.
Macbeth shows his nervousness through the short rapid lines showing paranoia while Lady Macbeth keeps her calm and justifying everything, trying to ease Macbeth’s worries. The short lines also show how quick their conversation is going, emphasising on the suddenness of the deed and also Macbeth’s nervousness. There is an imbalance of power between both characters, Lady Macbeth taking the lead (‘Give me the daggers’, ‘Go carry them’) The imperative verbs that she uses emphasise her control.
There is a clear moral difference between both of them. Macbeth is conscience-striken. He struggles to say ‘Amen’, which suggests that his prayer is thwarted or suggests that even if he finished the deed, it will still live on and he will still carry it forever. He has self-condemned himself as he hears voices that drill into him what a horrible thing he has done. Lady Macbeth seems in control and devoid of neither conscience nor fear, as opposed to Macbeth who is full of both. As Macbeth is in shock, appalled at what he has done, Lady Macbeth’s only concern is to avoid blame.
Scene III:
The porter comes in and gives the audience a space for laughter after the very dramatic scene previously. Some may argue that this part of the scene was completely unnecessary but some of the jokes the porter makes seem to have implications of what was going on so far in the play. For example, his reference to ‘th’everlasting bonfire’ could be the damnation that Hamlet is feeling after he committed Duncan’s murder.
Macbeth shows Macduff to Duncan’s room and Macduff comes out horrified after finding out. Macbeth continues as if he doesn’t know anything. Lady Macbeth also pretends concern and amazement. There is a huge buzz around the castle and the scene seems very alert, contrary to what it was like in the past two scenes where the atmosphere has been quiet and secretive.
Macbeth uses very elaborate words to convince people that he is devastated by the news (‘renown and grace is dead’, ‘The wine of life is drawn’). His calmness and way with words completely contrast his fear and paranoia in the previous scene. Lady Macbeth faints and Macduff becomes suspicious. As the king’s son’s fear for their lives, Donaldbain says – ‘There’s daggers in men’s smiles’. The theme of deception comes up again suggesting a mysterious air in the Macbeth castle.
Scene IV:
The old man’s appearance in the play shows the event’s universality – how the murder of Duncan reflects in nature and society. It brings an outsider’s perspective into account, which is a nice break from all the royalty. It emphasises how people from the outside can still be affected by what happens with royalty. The old man’s speech also reflects on Macbeth’s soliloquy in the first scene of this act – ‘nature seems dead’. Everything is weird and strange and not how they are supposed to be. Macbeth’s deed has altered what is morally right. We also learn that Macbeth is going to be named king during this scene.
Gothic connotations – supernatural taking over?
Friday, October 16, 2009
Act One: Gothic Elements
Scene One
- Gothic element – witches and their familiars, creepy weather (thunder lightning and rain)
- Familiars – ‘Graymalkin’ and ‘Paddock’ but how come the third witch hasn’t got a familiar?
- A lot of contradicting phrases such as ‘the battle’s lost, and won’ and ‘fair is foul, and foul is fair’ – intrigues the readers about what is about to happen, questioning future events, and gives us a feeling of riddles or chants (witchcraft – gothic element)
Scene Two
- Words/phrases used to create a gothic, tense and bloody atmosphere: 'The merciless Macdonald', 'a rebel's whore', 'memorise another Golgotha' - refers to a re-enactment of a slaughter, 'bloody execution', 'dismal conflict' and many more.
Scene Three
- Witches reappear, riddles sound like chants (spells) which make them sound mysterious.
- Witches use evil and disturbing language such as 'killing swine' and 'rum-fed runnion' - which means a pampered slut.
- Predicting the future and getting the first prediction correct creates an even more supernatural feeling, as well as when the witches 'vanish'. Macbeth even calls it 'supernatural soliciting'.
- Macbeth already has disturbing thoughts, portrayed through the words he uses after hearing the prophecy - 'whose murder yet is but fantastical' and 'smothered in surmise'.
Scene Four
- Macbeth says - 'Let not light see my black and deep desires' - sense of evil resurfaces and secrecy and mysterious air are also gothic elements. This is because he finds out who is next in line for the throne and he already has schemes in his head as to make the prophecy come true.
Scene Five
- Lady Macbeth starts planning her evil schemes against the king after hearing what Macbeth heard from the witches
- She already has evil connotations to her character, which reflects on the way she talks and her sensuality and superiority - 'pour my spirits in thine ear and chastise with the valour of my tounge'. She mentions spirits again in line 38 - 'Come, you spirits and fill me... of direst cruelty'. Images of blood are also part of her speech - 'make thick my blood'.
Scene Six
- the elegant castle of Macbeth (castles are usually present in gothic literature). The lovely castle hides their evil schemes in a way.
Scene Seven
- Macbeth is starting to feel guilty about their plans of murdering Duncan. He is avoiding referring to the murder so obviously and resorts to words such as 'th'assassination', 'the horrid deed' and 'his taking-off'.
- Lady Macbeth's power of persuasion over Macbeth. Her superiority comes through as she belittles him and forces him to change his mind again. The atmosphere is dark and Lady Macbeth acts as if Macbeth is her assistant - the pawn to her mischeivous plan. Macbeth says - False face must hide what the false heart doth know - which emphasises the mysterious air and secrecy surrounding their plans.
- Gothic element – witches and their familiars, creepy weather (thunder lightning and rain)
- Familiars – ‘Graymalkin’ and ‘Paddock’ but how come the third witch hasn’t got a familiar?
- A lot of contradicting phrases such as ‘the battle’s lost, and won’ and ‘fair is foul, and foul is fair’ – intrigues the readers about what is about to happen, questioning future events, and gives us a feeling of riddles or chants (witchcraft – gothic element)
Scene Two
- Words/phrases used to create a gothic, tense and bloody atmosphere: 'The merciless Macdonald', 'a rebel's whore', 'memorise another Golgotha' - refers to a re-enactment of a slaughter, 'bloody execution', 'dismal conflict' and many more.
Scene Three
- Witches reappear, riddles sound like chants (spells) which make them sound mysterious.
- Witches use evil and disturbing language such as 'killing swine' and 'rum-fed runnion' - which means a pampered slut.
- Predicting the future and getting the first prediction correct creates an even more supernatural feeling, as well as when the witches 'vanish'. Macbeth even calls it 'supernatural soliciting'.
- Macbeth already has disturbing thoughts, portrayed through the words he uses after hearing the prophecy - 'whose murder yet is but fantastical' and 'smothered in surmise'.
Scene Four
- Macbeth says - 'Let not light see my black and deep desires' - sense of evil resurfaces and secrecy and mysterious air are also gothic elements. This is because he finds out who is next in line for the throne and he already has schemes in his head as to make the prophecy come true.
Scene Five
- Lady Macbeth starts planning her evil schemes against the king after hearing what Macbeth heard from the witches
- She already has evil connotations to her character, which reflects on the way she talks and her sensuality and superiority - 'pour my spirits in thine ear and chastise with the valour of my tounge'. She mentions spirits again in line 38 - 'Come, you spirits and fill me... of direst cruelty'. Images of blood are also part of her speech - 'make thick my blood'.
Scene Six
- the elegant castle of Macbeth (castles are usually present in gothic literature). The lovely castle hides their evil schemes in a way.
Scene Seven
- Macbeth is starting to feel guilty about their plans of murdering Duncan. He is avoiding referring to the murder so obviously and resorts to words such as 'th'assassination', 'the horrid deed' and 'his taking-off'.
- Lady Macbeth's power of persuasion over Macbeth. Her superiority comes through as she belittles him and forces him to change his mind again. The atmosphere is dark and Lady Macbeth acts as if Macbeth is her assistant - the pawn to her mischeivous plan. Macbeth says - False face must hide what the false heart doth know - which emphasises the mysterious air and secrecy surrounding their plans.
Coursework Summary
I am writing a comparative essay on Pride and Prejudice and Howard's End. I am focusing on ways in which classes affect personal relationships within both novels. I have already finished reading Pride and Prejudice and I've nearly finished reading Howards End, with only a few more chapters to go.
In Pride and Prejudice, Darcy starts off by giving an impression that he is better than everybody else because of his status, wealth and ways. This influences him to affect Jane and Mr. Bingley's relationship. It also allows him to hesitate with his feelings towards Elizabeth. Wickham's relationship with Lydia is also based on money and Darcy's influence. Because of his higher class, he has the power to manipulate people's decisions and relationships. However, this was not true in the case of Lady Catherine and Miss Bingley. I am going to discuss all of these aspects and more.
In Howards End, so far, I've realised the effect that the Wilcoxes attitudes towards the lower class have on Margaret's marriage. Also the Schegel sisters drift apart because of this marriage, affecting what was once a very close relationship. I am going to discuss these and more aspects of class within the novel and then compare the similarities and differences between both novels.
In Pride and Prejudice, Darcy starts off by giving an impression that he is better than everybody else because of his status, wealth and ways. This influences him to affect Jane and Mr. Bingley's relationship. It also allows him to hesitate with his feelings towards Elizabeth. Wickham's relationship with Lydia is also based on money and Darcy's influence. Because of his higher class, he has the power to manipulate people's decisions and relationships. However, this was not true in the case of Lady Catherine and Miss Bingley. I am going to discuss all of these aspects and more.
In Howards End, so far, I've realised the effect that the Wilcoxes attitudes towards the lower class have on Margaret's marriage. Also the Schegel sisters drift apart because of this marriage, affecting what was once a very close relationship. I am going to discuss these and more aspects of class within the novel and then compare the similarities and differences between both novels.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
What is literature?
The word 'classic' is a term most debated upon when it comes to literature. What makes a book a classic and who decides whether this is so? The reception of the reader plays an important role in this. I think the term 'classic' and the books in the literary canon are questionable in terms of the people reading it.
Yes, there are certain factors which give a book that unwavering reputation throughout the years, such as Shakespeare's work. The beautiful poetic language, the challenge which the readers must put themselves through to be able to unlock the meaning hidden underneath the lines, the ability of his work to immerse you within the story; making you a part of it and a well thought-out plot, are just some of these factors.
Based on my own reading experiences, what I think makes good literature is a book which can make a simplistic plot turn into a series of adventuristic writing. You cannot put the book down in want of divulging more into that language that makes the little things into big things and that exciting mysterious air of what is going to happen next. A 'classic' is defined by people who have come before us, people who have prejudged a book already by their own standards. However, I think every generation and every different person have their own interpretation of what makes a book a classic. Any book can be a classic to someone's perspective. If it teaches you something new or reiterates what you already know, if it makes you think of the enormous beauty which could come from a few words and lines, it IS good literature and can be a classic, even if the literary canon does not tell you it is so.
The issue of films and other products of the media being 'literature' is also a a topic which is subject to great discussion. I think it is still an interpretation of literature in a different form (especially for people who prefer watching the images as opposed to just reading the words) but the fact that someone else is directing the film or controlling it the way they deem it to be makes the reader's reception less free to roam. You cannot be immersed in the story in the same way as you would if you were reading the book yourself and you are not able to take in the beauty of the language in as much depth.
Yes, there are certain factors which give a book that unwavering reputation throughout the years, such as Shakespeare's work. The beautiful poetic language, the challenge which the readers must put themselves through to be able to unlock the meaning hidden underneath the lines, the ability of his work to immerse you within the story; making you a part of it and a well thought-out plot, are just some of these factors.
Based on my own reading experiences, what I think makes good literature is a book which can make a simplistic plot turn into a series of adventuristic writing. You cannot put the book down in want of divulging more into that language that makes the little things into big things and that exciting mysterious air of what is going to happen next. A 'classic' is defined by people who have come before us, people who have prejudged a book already by their own standards. However, I think every generation and every different person have their own interpretation of what makes a book a classic. Any book can be a classic to someone's perspective. If it teaches you something new or reiterates what you already know, if it makes you think of the enormous beauty which could come from a few words and lines, it IS good literature and can be a classic, even if the literary canon does not tell you it is so.
The issue of films and other products of the media being 'literature' is also a a topic which is subject to great discussion. I think it is still an interpretation of literature in a different form (especially for people who prefer watching the images as opposed to just reading the words) but the fact that someone else is directing the film or controlling it the way they deem it to be makes the reader's reception less free to roam. You cannot be immersed in the story in the same way as you would if you were reading the book yourself and you are not able to take in the beauty of the language in as much depth.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Pride and Prejudice. A Marxist Analysis.
Marxism is basically the idea that society is driven by money and the economy. In Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice for example, Mrs. Bennett is the height of Marxism since her singular goal is to marry off all her daughters to wealthy men. Another example is that almost every character except Elizabeth and Darcy is preoccupied with the income of their potential partner. Since the Bennetts are brought up within an upper class society, the illusion of power is found within their characters. They have the freedom to do what they want and make their own decisions because they are not controlled by a higher power. Of course, the Bingleys and the Darcys have a much greater wealth and could influence other characters within the novel more, such as Mr. Darcy’s influence on Wickham concerning money in exchange for an agreement to marry Lydia. However, their acquaintances and communities intertwine in some way hence leading to Elizabeth and Darcy’s marriage, even with the opposition of someone of a higher rank, Lady Catherine.
The plot revolves around the need described in the very first sentence of the novel: "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife." This opening statement already emphasises a Marxist perspective about money’s influence on a man’s goal to find a suitable wife and vice versa.
The driving force of the plot also centres on the very idea of class. Not only does the novel concern itself with what class the characters belong to, but also by what means, or means of production, each character gained their status.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Possible Title
Focusing on Howard's End and Pride and Prejudice, compare the ways in which classes affect personal relationships within both novels.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Comparative Coursework
These are the two novels I am considering to do for my comparative essay:
- Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
- E.M. Forster, Howard's End
Research on themes for the essay title:
- the importance of ubringing/classes in the development of young people's character and morality
- how classes can affect personal relationships
- the difference in the characters' thoughts on love/family in the novel
- physical journeys that the characters undertake and how it helps them develop mentally
- Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
- E.M. Forster, Howard's End
Research on themes for the essay title:
- the importance of ubringing/classes in the development of young people's character and morality
- how classes can affect personal relationships
- the difference in the characters' thoughts on love/family in the novel
- physical journeys that the characters undertake and how it helps them develop mentally
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