Blog 18: Female Roles in Shakespeare's Macbeth

I agree with the opinions and critique expressed by Thacker of women's roles in Shakespeare's Macbeth. Shakespeare stayed true to what women's roles would be during his time and what could happens to women if they don't fulfill those roles. The female character Lady Macbeth is frustrated because she could not fulfill her duty to provide an heir. Thracker writes "Lady Macbeth is viewed as a tragic heroine because she has not had any children, and therefore feels alone" (Thacker 2). Because of this, she also resorts to 'acquiring power' Crump-Wright writes. Lady Macbeth's actions were "rather predictable for a person desiring power and unable to acquire it in her own right" (Thacker 1).

Blog 17: Act V Study Guide Questions

Act V, scene ii

1. What does Angus say about the men that Macbeth commands?

Angus says that the soldiers that Macbeth commands are only following orders and that they don't fight because they love Macbeth.

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

At the end of Act V scene ii, Lennox says "However much blood we need to give to water the royal flower and drown the weeds." He says this because he wants to make Malcolm king and get rid of Macbeth.

Act V, scene iii

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

Macbeth's troops are fortifying the castle at Dunsinane. Macbeth remains so confident because he feels consoled and invincible by the witche's prophecy and he feels that he has nothing to fear until Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane. He also thinks that he will be victorious and he refuses to hear the reports from his generals.

2. How does Macbeth acknowledge that Scotland is suffering?

Macbeth asks the doctor if there is any way he can figure out what's wrong with his country. He also asks him if he can diagnose its disease by examining its urine and bring it back to health.

Act V, scene iv

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

Siward is the commander of the English forces. Siward thinks that Macbeth is overconfident and he informs Malcolm that Macbeth confidently holds Dunsinane and that he is just waiting for their arrival.

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

Malcolm wants every soldier to cut off branches and hold them up in order to disguise their numbers as they attack the castle. This will cause Macbeth's spies to give him inaccurate reports.

Act V, scene v

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

Macbeth comments that he almost forgot what fear feels like. Macbeth said "Horrible things are so familiar that they can't startle me"

(Act V, scene v Lines 16-17 ).

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

Lady Macbeth dies. After Lady Macbeth dies, Macbeth says that she should have died later at a more appropriate time. He focuses his soliloquy on the meaning of life. He said "Life is nothing more than an illuison. It's more like a poor actor who struts and worries for his hour on the stage and then is never heard from again. Life is a story told by an imbecile, full of noise and emotional disturbance but deviod of meaning"

(Act V, scene v Lines 24-30).

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

A messenger tells Macbeth that as he was standing on a hill, he looked toward Birnam and saw that the forest began to move toward the castle. After Macbeth hears this, he is stunned and begins to fear that the witches words may come true after all. He also becomes fully aware that the witches raised his hopes by tricking him with their word games and then destroyed them. The theme Fair is Foul and Foul is Fair is Macbeth's mixup between good and evil and how that reflects his battle against himself. Kingship and Tyranny also plays a major role in Macbeth's realization.

Blog 16: Story Time Macbeth Style

A long time ago in a land far far away, there lived a noble and rich king named Franco. Franco seemed to be a nice king, but he had an evil side to him. He was mean because he had a secret plot on his hands that he was going to make this man named Benjamin and his son named Taran disappear. The reason Franco wanted them to disappear is because he was really afraid of them and that they might take his place. Franco put his plans in place and sent two fairies to sprinkle Benjamin and Taran with pixie dust when they return from their trip around the land. The two fairies and a third fairy that joins them meet at a small beautiful garden near the royal palace and they sprinkle them. Benjamin gets sprinkled and disappears; but his son Taran flees and escapes. When the news goes back to Franco, a luxurious party is held by Franco. Franco sits at the table with his guests when all of a sudden he sees a floating jack-o-lantern (which is really Benjamin in a new form) at the table. No one else at the table sees this floating jack-o-lantern besides Franco. Suddenly, Franco sees the floating jack-o-lantern a second time. The party ends suddenly and when his guests leave, Franco tells his wife, Tamalia that he needs to find the three fairies. He needs to learn about the threats that are against him. What we find out is that the fairies meet in an open place, and the biggest fairy Heather angrily tells the three fairies how she was not included in their plans for Franco. Heather tells the three fairies to make-up powerful spells to cast on Franco when they meet again with him. This story sums up all of the Acts in Scene III in Macbeth. I'm sure children in elementary school will read this captivating tale and they will truly enjoy this Act in Macbeth.

Blog 15: New Year's Premonitions

From these few lines, Banquo explains that the witches are trying to gain trust by telling little truths, but in actuality, they will be hurtful at the most vulnerable times.

In the year 2010, I will try not to set standards for my friends that I place on myself. I expect a lot from myself and set goals to achieve, but I shouldn't expect that others will do the same. I often get surprised and hurt by immature behaviors and I will try to be more forgiving and accepting. People change and grow, and in some cases don't grow, and that's okay. In 2010, I want to hold on to my clear vision of my dreams and goals.

Part of my vision for the future includes continuing to do well in school and keeping that a top priority. I will set time aside to practice more SAT questions and gather vocabulary words. I also hope to find a club in school and that I feel more connected to. I love to play tennis and will make more time for it.

At home, I will try to appreciate what my parents do for my brothers and I more. I now realize what everyday entails for them as I'm getting closer to making more and more decisions on my own. They make it look easy, but I know it's not. In addition, we got a new puppy this year and I will try to hold true to my promise of taking responsibility for him more.