Discuss the transformation of Macbeth from a loyal servant to a ruthless individual.

In the beginning of Shakespeare's, Macbeth, the character, Macbeth is basically an everyday normal type of soldier fighting and killing for his king. His title at this point is the Thane of Glamis. Upon having a great day on the battlefield, including killing MacDonwald, Macbeth has no clue as to what is in store for him. When Macbeth and his friend Banquo meet the witches for the first time, they are completely shocked.

While talking with the witches Macbeth and Banquo are told that Macbeth will be named the Thane of Cawdor, and then later king. They also told Banquo that his children will be kings, but that Banquo would not. After hearing this Macbeth begins to become ashamed with himself to think that he actually thought about killing the king in order to the throne from Duncan.

At this point he is somewhat confused and maybe more curious than anything. His thought was not to do anything drastic to become king. He basically says, whatever happens, happens.

When Macbeth arrives home to his wife, Lady Macbeth, she begins to play mind games with him. She does this by trying to convince him to murder Duncan. She tells him things like “If you were a real man you'd do it”. This upsets Macbeth, and he begins to think that he is actually going to do it, and eventually carries it out. What he doesn't realize is that he will later regret his actions, and wish that he could turn back time.

As soon as Macbeth has killed Duncan, he seems to start to lose his mind. He just doesn't know what to do with himself. In fact, he cannot finish smearing the blood on the chamberlains, lady Macbeth had to. As time goes by Macbeth begins to think that to keep his name clear he must
kill all the people that may pose a threat to him. Even if it means killing his best friend, Banquo. Macbeth did this by hiring people to kill him. They succeeded in killing Banquo but his son Fleance escaped. Although this wasn't the end of Macbeth's killing, for instance he killed one man's (Macduff's) family, which basically didn't make any sense.

After a couple more run ins with the witches, Macbeth completely loses all his ability to think straight and starts killing people just to prevent anyone from finding that he killed Duncan. Not only has Macbeth lost his mind, so has lady Macbeth. She is always caught walking in her
sleep talking about Duncan's death, and she eventually commits suicide.

During the last encounter Macbeth has with the witches, they tell him that no one born of women could harm him, so he obviously thinks he's invincible. In the final scene when Macbeth confronts Macduff, Macbeth told Macduff that no one born of women could harm him. Macduff answers somewhat like this, “My mother died before I was born,” and then chops off Macbeth s head.


In this story, Shakespeare does a very well job in showing what greed can do to someone and how people react to it Throughout the entire story he shows how everybody probably has some sort of evil in them, even if they don't realize it, or don't live long enough to let it come out.

Respond to this in your own words. Try restructuring the whole sample as this will help your recall.

Asmadi

Describe those who play important roles in changing Macbeth to become a ruthless individual.

In Shakespeare’s play Macbeth, the main character, Macbeth has many motivators and influences causing him to do evil deeds. Lady Macbeth is the main one. She pressures Macbeth to kill King Duncan. Also, there are the three witches, who give Macbeth prophecies that manipulate him in which disaster strikes at the end of the play. Macbeth’s character changes through the course of the play. In the beginning of the play Macbeth is a kind, loyal, hero, and at the end he becomes an evil tyrant.

One day Macbeth comes home to his wife (Lady Macbeth) and tells her all about the prophecies, and how he was crowned Thane of Cawdor by the king of Scotland, King Duncan. To the reader this was a big mistake; him telling his wife. With sudden amusement Lady Macbeth sets up a plan for her husband to execute the king, but thinks that her husband is too kind to pull it off. "It is too full o’ the milk of human kindness."

Lady Macbeth creates a plan :

"And we'll not fail. When Duncan is asleep

…When in swinish sleep

…/Their drenched natures lies as in a death,

What cannot you and I perform upon

Th’ unguarded Duncan"

Macbeth was shocked and surprised of Lady Macbeth’s proposal, and had refused to follow her orders. Then Lady Macbeth made a comeback by saying :

" What beast was’t, then,

When you durst do it, then you were a man;

And to be more than what you were, you would be so much more the man…"

What Lady Macbeth said, made Macbeth snap and therefore he used her plan to attack Duncan.

The prophecy that Macbeth found rather alluring was that he would be future king. "All hail, Macbeth!, that shalt be king hereafter!"

At first Macbeth doesn't believe the words of the witches thinking they are lying, but slowly starts to come to his senses, when things the witches say become true. Macbeth then believes that he should let fate take its course by waiting and letting what was told happen, and if it doesn't then shall be it. "If chance will have me king, why chance may crown me Without my stir."

When Macbeth was pronounced Thane of Cawdor he was a brave and loyal man. "For brave Macbeth-well he deserves that name."

When Macbeth returned after completing his brutal murder his character had changed. He became obsessive over his ambition; becoming future king. Macbeth then decided that he would kill Banquo because he was with him when he was getting his prophecies from the witches, and therefore he knew that Macbeth had a reason to kill Duncan. Macbeth hired three murderers to finish Banquo (Act 3:1 lines/117-127).

Respond to this in our own words. Try changing the lines from the play text to everyday English as you need not have to justify using lines from the real text.

Asmadi

Lady Macbeth plays an important role in the downfall of her husband, Macbeth. Discuss with evidence from the text.

Lady Macbeth’s wicked character has an extreme impact towards her husband. Lady Macbeth is responsible for influencing her husband to commit both crimes; she unleashes the dark side of him and motivates him to become an evil and horrendous man. In various parts throughout the story we find that Lady Macbeth strives beyond limits to be converted into a bitter and sour woman. The audience is revolted by her horrific actions and although she may seem repugnant, she is an extremely talented actor. In her role, having a deceitful and convincing character is important

We start to see Lady Macbeth’s actions have a huge impact on Macbeth’s character as he transforms from a decent being to an overly bitter creature. The cause of his alteration is due to the fact that Lady Macbeth is constantly excreting heartless information into his mind. "Art thou afeard to be the same in thine own act and valour as thou art in desire?" (I;vii;39-41) "And, to be more than what you were, you would be so much more the man." (I;vii;50-51) Lady Macbeth uses these quotes to push her husband beyond limits and is therefore responsible for his dramatic change in attitude. She is constantly feeding his thoughts with negative comments and later on Macbeth realizes that he has another side to him. As he moves along to discover the concealed side of him, Macbeth falls in love with himself and begins to be drawn towards his evil desires. Because Lady Macbeth was the main cause of his new hidden discovery, she is fully responsible for opening up the door and letting the darkness in. This results in Macbeth committing both murders.

In the beginning of the play, Lady Macbeth is over whelmed by the letter she receives about Macbeth. This pushes her to the extreme and causes her to react outrageously. " Come, you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here…make thick my blood…take my milk for gall, you murdering ministers…come thick night." (I;v;40-50) All these images of darkness and horror reveal the true character of Lady Macbeth; she feels the need to become wicked. Her attitude is even more horrific when she calls on evil spirits to come and possess her, taking control of her actions. This sort of behavior causes the audience and reader to assume Lady Macbeth is a psychopath, and therefore would have reason to hold her responsible for having a major impact on her husband and driving him off, enlightening a twisted sinister and threatening dark side of him.

Aside from Lady Macbeth’s insane performance and negative impact on Macbeth, the reader is able to identify her talented side. She may seem dishonest and deceitful, thus leaving an immoral impression on the viewer, but has managed to completely twist the situation around into making herself presentable. "Look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under’t." (I;v;65-66) This is her technique of style used to deceive those around her. The result of Lady Macbeth’s performance is achieved through the changes seen in Macbeth as he slowly transforms to the dark side. Because of her appalling behavior and lack of awareness, Macbeth should not be held accountable for his actions completely since she is the one who lead him towards committing both crimes.

Because of Lady Macbeth’s wicked behavior, which resulted in Macbeth’s evil transition, he was led to become a murderer. Throughout our lives, we are all influenced under pressure, as we see and observe the actions of those around us. Although it may not cause an effect immediately, it will have a great impact towards our behavior, changing us for better or for worse.


Try responding to this sample using your own words.

Asmadi

Between Imagery and Symbolism

Hi,

These two (imagery and symbolism) can be manipulated more or less. In my opinion, imagery highlights more on climate or environment. Check the two relevant posts in this blog for further understanding.

Asmadi

Let's do a critic on 'To Be In Love' by Gwendolyn Brooks

To Be In Love By Gwendolyn Brooks

To be in love
Is to touch with a lighter hand.
In yourself you stretch, you are well.
You look at things
Through his eyes.
A cardinal is red.
A sky is blue.
Suddenly you know he knows too.
He is not there but
You know you are tasting together
The winter, or a light spring weather.
His hand to take your hand is overmuch.
Too much to bear.
You cannot look in his eyes
Because your pulse must not say
What must not be said.
When he
Shuts a door-
Is not there_
Your arms are water.
And you are free
With a ghastly freedom.
You are the beautiful half
Of a golden hurt.
You remember and covet his mouth
To touch, to whisper on.
Oh when to declare
Is certain Death!
Oh when to apprize
Is to mesmerize,
To see fall down, the Column of Gold,
Into the commonest ash.


Respond to the questions.

1. Who is the persona?

2. What is/are the theme/s

3. What are the literary devices found in the poem?

4. What is the tone of the poem?

5. What could one understand from the poem?


Asmadi Rasim