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.
Friday, October 16, 2009
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.
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