Friday, January 28, 2011

Question I:
After the murder of His Majesty King Duncan and the rise of Macbeth to the throne, in a significant way causes change in the altitude and psychological well being of Macbeth. At this point Macbeth deliberately isolates himself; he experiences a great deal of torment, fear, remorse, mental torture and sleep deprivation.

"How now, my lord! Why do you keep alone,
Of sorriest fancies your companions making,
Using those thoughts which should indeed have died"

"What’s done is done." (Act III, scene ii lines 10-14)

Macbeth also grows increasingly suspicious and insecure of men around his company in and out of the palace; most especially Fleance and Banquo that he decides to kill as well to stand in a better position of reigning as king of Scotland.
"We have scorched the snake, not killed it." (Act III, scene ii lines 15)
"we must lave our honors in these flattering streams,
And make our faces vizards to our hearts,
Disguising what they are."  (Act III, scene ii lines 34-37)

"First murderer
But who did bid thee join with us? Third murderer Macbeth" (Act III scene iii)

This extract clearly shows how Macbeth is distrustful of every one around him. 

Act III scene ii

1. In what ways has Macbeth changed since the murder?
2. In what ways do each of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth show that the crown has not brought a piece of mind?

Thursday, January 20, 2011

"Duncan's sons should never have left Inverness"

Discuss as Macbeth if you think Duncan's sons should have left Inverness after their father's death or stay behind to witness the unfolding of the future's events.

Most definitely, i have already abused my position and been disloyal; also  betrayed and taken the life of King Duncan. All this i blame upon myself and my disgraceful, merciless and inconsiderate woman i have for a wife.  It makes me believe that, had they not have gone as far as they have already now, couldst' my wife also lay down a plot for them as well since they are by nature royal. I'm left to think that it was a wise decision that the two sons of my ceased Lord left Inverness and perhaps fled to an anonymous destination. That way, it makes it harder to be aware of their where abouts, I still have doubts that they are suspicious of my involvement in the murder of their father.

Monday, January 17, 2011

Waking and Summoning from sleep

Following the tragic death of King Duncan in Act II, scene iii we clearly see a theme of summon develop in the play Macbeth  where Macduff present at Inverness (Macbeth's castle) out of all grief and chock at the assassination of His majesty King Duncan; scream at the top of his voice in efforts to wake noble men, sons and servants of the kingdom in order to summon them about the sudden dreadful incident that befalls Scotland unexpectadely. (lines 70-90 pg. 328-329)

Lady Macbeth also at this point contributes to summoning and waking from her "plastic sleep" as she puts on quite a show displaying a great amount of hypocritic grief and chock over the death of King Duncan. The sons (Malcolm and Donalbain) of the deceased King appear on set; also waking from their sleep and at a crucial moment where there has been treason and betrayal in the kingdom, the two sons left on set whisper in a disguisive manner leaving the castle as soon as possible. (lines 136-147 pg. 330-331)

Sleep and Death

The theme "Sleep and Death" is highly portrayed in the play Macbeth; where we witness at the beginning of Act II, scene ii- at Macbeth's castle, the murder of His majesty, King Duncan. It's from sleep that gives Macbeth and Lady Macbeth the carry on to execute their assassination plot when King Duncan goes to sleep. Though Lady Macbeth cowardly hesitates ("my father as he slept, I had done 't") to execute her initiated plan she continuously persists on the idea as to being the "rightful" thing to do, Macbeth goes ahead and befalls death upon King Duncan; therefore clearly depicting the theme of sleep that leads to death.


We also encounter in the same scene that Macbeth faces the two guards that where already asleep; and as he passes by them, they wake up and sleepily cry out"murder" thus shaking his already shaken personality. Macbeth takes it upon himself to deprive them the breath of life. He murders them so as to cover up the evidence that's left behind; another clear portrait of sleep and death in Macbeth. (pg. 324)