Macbeth- 1st Week :)

1. What are the witches planning at the beginning of the act?

             

         Shakespeare opens his play with strong momentum and force. In the beginning of the act, the witches set the mood and the tone for the opening of the text. Realistically, the witches are engaging in witchcraft and the witches are planning an act of going to see Macbeth in the play. These witches are the power and heart of the story, which constitutes a focus and concentration on the characterization of the witches. 
           They enable a tone to set the mood, which implies for one to make an inference on some unfortunate action may occur. At the end of scene one in the first seen, the witches come together to form a final placement in tone. These words are chanted uniformly as, “ Fair is foul, and foul is fair. Hover through the fog and filthy air” (I.i.). Moreover, this couplet spoken by the witches as a foreshadowing moment, where their appearance in Scene Three fulfills their demeanor. The witches speak of actions proceeding the course of this tragedy, as actions do not appear what they have been thought of. 

2. What happened to the original Thane of Cawdor and why did he lose his title?

                 

         The status to the original Thane of Cawdor is perhaps a tragic personal demise. Through his actions, he lost his title of nobility and power of Thane. His deceiving actions and cunning character empowered through himself to commit treason.

A character speaks of the Thane of Cawdor as, “From Fife, great King, where the Norweyan banners flout the sky and fan our people cold. Norway himself, with terrible numbers, assisted by the most disloyal traitor, the Thane of Cawdor, began a dismal conflict,….”(Shakespeare 1.2, 50-55). The original Thane of Cawdor is a traitor towards the King. Thus, he loses his title for his lack of allegiance and nobility, as he is executed for his treason.

For this reason, Macbeth is recognized as a brave hero, and his ambition leads him to take over the new title as Thane of Cawdor.      

3. How do the witches greet Macbeth after the battle? Why?

The witches greet Macbeth after the battle. They approach him in such a manner that they are hailing him for his achievements. However, Macbeth and his superiority perceive the witches in a literal connotation. The witches proclaim, “All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee Thane of Glamis! All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor! All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!” (Shakespeare 1.3, 49-51).

         The witch’s lines do foreshadow the events for Macbeth, because the prophecy will be fulfilled and he will be King. However, the lines of the witches are more of a figurative nature. The witches create these undefined lines where Macbeth is not able to figure out the purposes of the witches. Here from the start, the witches taunt Macbeth with their prophecies to intercede his mentality.     

4. What is the significance of Lady Macbeth's "unsex me" scene?

        

         The significance of Lady Macbeth’s “unsex me” scene is quite contrary to her character. Lady Macbeth proclaims, “Come, you spirits that tend on mortal thought, unsex me here and fill me from the crown to the to top-full of direst cruelty!” (I.v.). Lady Macbeth is uncomfortable with her femininity. Her line, “The raven himself is hoarse that croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan under my battlements” (I.v). She desires to obtain masculine traits. Even though she is not a male being, the only way she is allotted power is through a man, which is her husband. 
           This motive contracts a greatness for her character and persistency to allow her husband obtain higher power. If he contains these powers, she will encompass these similar ambitions and equal power as her husband. Thus, she is indifferent emotionally when she inquires for her husband to murder Duncan, so the witches’ prophecy will come true. In regard, it appears to one that Lady Macbeth’s ambition appears more superior to her maternal nature.   

There's more to come very soon.... 

Allison <3

Quotes Analyzation

            

“The Prince of Cumberland! That is a step on which I must fall down or else o'erleap, for in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires; Let not light see my black and deep desires” encompasses Macbeth as the speaker in Act one, Scene four. Macbeth’s statement is a contrast to himself, as well as the conversation he obtains with Duncan. Realistically, Duncan’s eldest son Malcom is the next one to be King, even though he is recently appealed to the Prince of Cumberland. However, Macbeth is promoted to Cawdor, which he feels internally inferior to be below Malcom in the hierarchical structure of this society. Duncan comments on the greatness of his son and his upcoming achievements. Therefore, Macbeth jealousy flaunts as he wants the power for himself, but he sees Duncan and Malcom as an obstacle. 

“Yet do I fear they nature; it is too full o'th' milk of human kindness to catch the nearest way. Thou wouldst be great, art not without ambition, but without the illness should attend to it” contains Lady Macbeth reading a letter to herself from Macbeth. One can articulate from Lady Macbeth’s tone that she perceives her husband to be too kind to do anything immoral. She responds in this way, because her character is quite ruthless and would do anything to achieve authority and power. However, she reads, “Hie thee hither, that I may pour my spirits in thine ear and chastise with the valour of my tongue all that impedes thee from the golden round”. In her character she must persuade him that he should desire to want power as King. Her manipulations will result with her having her own power, even as the woman she does not desire to be. These lines within the context of the letter also portray that there is equality and greatness together within the means of their relationship. Both figures are extremely close, and he trusts her, which their love encompasses for one great being.   

Allison <3

Oh Macbeth......

With what words does Banquo reaffirm his loyalty to King Duncan?

         Within Act Two, Banquo affirms a stance to reinitiate his loyalty to King Duncan. Banquo remarks, “So I lose none in seeking to augment it, but still keep my bosom franchised and allegiance clear, I shall be counseled” (II.i.) These lines posses Banquo’s allegiance to Duncan. Banquo wants to be direct in whom he has pledged for. Thus, it assures Macbeth as Duncan is talking to him, that when Macbeth becomes King, Banquo will continue to pledge his allegiance to Duncan.

2. What lie does Macbeth tell Banquo and why?        

         Macbeth lies to Banquo within Act two, Scene one. Banquo comes across Macbeth late at night, after he wakes up from a few nights of reoccurring nightmares. He is afraid to continue to nightmare through the nights, and he is appalled to see that Macbeth is still awake. Banquo says, “All’s well. I dreamt last night of the three Weird Sisters. To you they have showed some truth” (II.i.). Banquo’s statement foreshadows the actions of the three witches, while he visualizes them in his nightmares and are a part of this act. In return, Macbeth replies, “I think not of them. Yet, when we can entreat an hour to serve, we would spend it in some words upon that business, if you would want grant the time” (II.i.). The lie that Macbeth tells is that he has not thought any about the witches, which he actually has been mindful of them and their actions. He tells Banquo that they will talk about the concerns of the three witches at a later time, which this diverts attention away from Macbeth. Consequently, Macbeth was to repeal the witches’ prophecy away from himself.           

3. How do Macbeth and Lady Macbeth differ in their reactions to the murder?

        

         Macbeth and Lady Macbeth differ in their reactions to Duncan’s murder. Macbeth is more stressed as he becomes remorseful to what he has done. Macbeth proclaims, “Still it cried ‘Sleep no more!’ to all the house; ‘Glammis hath murdered sleep, and therefore Cawdor shall sleep no more; Macbeth shall sleep no more’” (II.ii.) He encompasses much paranoia as he will be King and his guilt severes him from God. With all of these new responsibilities, he fears that he will not be able to sleep, and that his rise to power will actually be the decline of him too. However, Lady Macbeth contributes a contrast to Macbeth’s reaction. Lady Macbeth states, “These deeds must not be though after these ways; so, it will make us mad” (II.ii.) The power of Lady Macbeth is very great, as she persuades Macbeth to release his own paranoia and remorse from the murder. She also means that if he does continue to become emotionally attached to the murder, she foreshadows the result in loss of power when Mabeth becomes King.  

4. Who are Macbeth's other victims? Why does he commit more murders?

         Macbeth’s other victims are the guards at the castle. He commits more murders because he is fearful that someone will link him to Duncan’s murder. He wants to erase all the evidence, and is willing to eliminate the guards so he can keep his rise to power. Lady Macbeth adds, “Do mock their charge with snores. I have drugged their possets, that death and nature do contend about them whether they live or die” (II.ii). In all, Lady Macbeth is indifferent to the fate of the guards, however, she does not want their presence to effect the reign of her husband and her upcoming power.

5. Considering journal entry number 3, what are some recurring motifs in Act 2?

         Considering journal entry number three, a recurring motif in Act Two is the art of sleep. 

Allison <3

Macbeth Act 2 Blog Q&A!!!

With what words does Banquo reaffirm his loyalty to King Duncan?
“So I lose non In seeking to augment it, but still keep My bosom franchised and allegiance clear, I shall be counseled,” (ii.i.27-30).  In the lines before, Macbeth tells Banquo that if Banquo supports him, Macbeth will reward him, most likely with rank, power, and money.  Banquo’s says that as long as he does not have to do anything guilty and keeps his loyalties same, he is up for it.

What lie does Macbeth tell Banquo and why?
Macbeth lies to Banquo when he says, “I think not of them.  Yet, when we can entreat an hour to serve, We would spend it in some words upon that business, If you would grant the time,” (ii.i.22-25).  He says that he doesn’t think about the Weird Sisters’ prophecies and how one of them, the Thane of Cawdor, has already come true.  Macbeth lies for multiple reasons: 1.) He does not want to feel that the witches have any control over his life.  2.) He does not want to draw unnecessary suspicion to his ambition to become king since he’s about to murder Duncan.

How do Macbeth and Lady Macbeth differ in their reactions to the murder?
Macbeth is seriously upset and emotionally injured, while Lady Macbeth is completely fine and tries to dissipate his agitation.  The differing emotions exist because Lady Macbeth did not kill Duncan herself; she says that he resembles her father too much.  (This proves that she still has some vestiges of womanly, feminine feelings.)

Who are Macbeth’s other victims? Why does he commit more murders?
Macbeth’s other victims are the two servants to Duncan who supposedly murdered him.  Macbeth kills them for a couple reasons: 1.) He is playing the part of the “good guy” and taking revenge on his beloved king’s death.  He pretends to act on his love for Duncan and lures suspicion away from him.  2.) Macbeth wants to get rid of the only two witnesses.  Even though the two servants were drunk, they could still have noticed Macbeth go into Duncan’s bedroom right before he was murdered.

Considering journal entry number 3, what are some recurring motifs in Act 2?
One theme is the juxtaposition between masculine and feminine qualities.  Masculine qualities include ambition and cruelty, especially in the scene of this play as Macbeth murders Duncan to become king of Scotland.  Lady Macbeth clearly shows that ambition and cruelty are considered male characteristics when she begs the spirits and demons to unsex her and make her devoid of warm and lovable feelings – qualities of a woman.  One motif is hallucinations.  In this act, Macbeth imagines seeing a dagger in the air right before he goes to murder Duncan.  He says that it is pointing towards Duncan’s chamber, and this tells us that the bloody dagger represents the tragic, bloody path that Macbeth will take to his end.  Another motif is prophecies and fate.  Shakespeare starts Macbeth with the Weird Sisters’ prophecies that Macbeth will become Thane of Cawdor and king of Scotland.  After both come true (whether or not Macbeth deliberate made himself king of Scotland), we can see how important prophecies and fate are regarded in the play.  In Roman Polanski’s movie version of Macbeth, he has the scene of the Weird Sisters open the movie even before the credits.

hugs 'n kisses (from Valentine's Day) -- Maria(:

Macbeth Act 1 Q&A numba 3 - Macbeth's Scene 7 soliloquy

Interpretation of Macbeth’s Act 1 soliloquy:

            In this speech, Macbeth is showing his guilty conscience.  He begins his soliloquy by saying that he wants the assassination to be over quickly, that it will be the end all be all, and that everything will be solved by it.  Because Macbeth is both Duncan’s relative and subject, Macbeth is reluctant to bear the knife and kill him, as it is part of his duty to faithfully serve and protect his king.  He also reflects on Duncan’s personality and says that the king’s generosity and humble nature will be remembered and lamented very much after his murder.  Towards the end of his soliloquy, Macbeth says that he alone cannot make himself commit the murder because he knows how much grief it will cause the Scots.  Ambition is the only thing that keeps this horrible idea in his head.

love&peace, Maria(:

Macbeth Act 1 Q&A numba 2

“Yet do I fear they nature;
It is too full o'th' milk of human kindness
To catch the nearest way. Thou wouldst be great,
Art not without ambition, but without
The illness should attend to it.”
-- Lady Macbeth
Context: From Lady Macbeth’s monologue, you can tell that she’s a very ambitious person who desires power.  To obtain this authority, she will do anything, no matter how ruthless it may be.  After, she says, “What thou wouldst highly, That wouldst thou holily; wouldst not play false, And yet wouldst wrongly win,” (i.iv.19-22).  In this excerpt, she is talking about how her husband is too morally upright to do wrong; he does not want to cheat, but he wants something not belonging to him.  Later, she says, “Hie thee hither, That I may pour my spirits in thine ear; And chastise with the valor of my tongue; All that impedes thee from the golden round,” (i.iv.25-28).  Here, she wants Macbeth to hurry home so that she can persuade him to go after the crown.
Interpretation: Because of Lady Macbeth’s ambitious and greedy nature, she is afraid that to become King of Scotland, her husband will not take violent measures that she believes are necessary.  She believes that Macbeth is too kind and gentle to ever be powerful and is ambitious without greed – something she thinks is of utmost importance to fulfilling ambition.

“The Prince of Cumberland! That is a step
On which I must fall down or else o'erleap,
For in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires;
Let not light see my black and deep desires.”
-- Macbeth
Context: In the previous act (Act III), the Weird Sisters told Macbeth the prophecies that he would become the Thane of Cawdor and the King of Scotland.  Later in the same act, Ross and Angus meet Macbeth and greet him with the news that the Norwegian army has been defeated and that the Duncan has just granted Macbeth the title of the Thane of Cawdor.
Interpretation: Malcolm is the Prince of Cumberland and therefore next in line to the throne.  Macbeth is not able to suppress his ambition and desire to become king.  He regards Malcolm as a roadblock in his way and is something to either jump over or stop at.  Macbeth’s desires must be somewhat evil because he is ashamed of them and asks the stars not to shine their light on them.

“Hie thee hither,
That I may pour my spirits in thine ear
And chastise with the valour of my tongue
All that impedes thee from the golden round.”
-- Lady Macbeth
Context: Lady Macbeth has just received word of Macbeth’s prophecies and how the first one, his becoming the Thane of Cawdor, has already come true.  In her speech, (refer to the first quote) she proves her ruthless ambition and complains to herself about her husband’s gentle nature.
Interpretation: All Lady Macbeth wants to do is become the queen of Scotland.  However, she can only achieve that goal if her husband Macbeth becomes the king.  As his wife, Lady Macbeth knows Macbeth’s personality and realizes that she will need to persuade Macbeth to overcome any obstacles – external or internal – that lie in his path of becoming king.

love&peace, Maria(: