Assignment #5

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWA6_NEIh0U

Assignment #4 - 3 riddles

"Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth! beware Macduff; Beware the thane of Fife. Dismiss me. Enough." The image I drew in regards to this riddle shows us that the three witches, whom are telling Macbeth that the thane of Fife would one day rule Scotland. In the image, the three “evil sisters” wearing black hoods are pointing out the visual illustration of what might potentially happen to Macbeth. However, in Macbeth’s mind, Macduff is not a real threat to the kingdom of Scotland simply because there are not enough troops for Macduff to fight against Macbeth. In the image, especially in Macbeth’s mind, I drew a little character representing the troops from Fife who wants to challenge a giant representing Scotland. As a result, Macbeth is extremely relaxed and puzzled at the same time. I consider this riddle as a message that anybody could become a threat to Macbeth. "Be bloody, bold, and resolute; laugh to scorn The power of man, for none of woman born Shall harm Macbeth.” This apparition makes Macbeth to feel confident and relaxed because the witches tell him that no woman born men and hurt Macbeth. Therefore, Macbeth fears nothing when the castle is invaded and all the English soldier rush into his castle. However, Macbeth loses the fight when he tries to duel with Macduff. It is ironic that Macduff is not a woman born man because he is technically born from his mother’s womb. In the image, I drew Macbeth wearing original European armor and armed with long sword; his body is buffed and his face seems extremely confident. I drew an “raging fire” protecting Macbeth from the sword named “Blade of the woman borns”. In addition, the blade starts to crack while entering the fire, and Macbeth is completely immune to the blade. "Be lion-mettled, proud; and take no care Who chafes, who frets, or where conspirers are: Macbeth shall never vanquish'd be until Great Birnam wood to high Dunsinane hill Shall come against him." This is the last apparition tells Macbeth to be as brave as a lion and fear no one; also, his crown is secured as long as the Great Birnam wood stay still. Therefore, Macbeth thinks the witches are joking because he thinks the tree can never move. However, Macduff and the English soldiers use wood to camouflage themselves, so Macbeth will never expect a strike from the troops. In the image, I drew a large moving-tree representing the camouflaged English troop. I drew the tree looks determined and forceful. The giant tree is facing Macbeth’s castle and ready to make his first attack. However, in the image, Macbeth is surprised but still remains brave and confident due to the three apparitions.

Macbeth presentation

Assignment#3 Macbeth presentation

Twitter & Reflection

Twitter Account: https://twitter.com/BestMacbethNA

The use of Twitter has become one of the most popular forms of social media networking. In short, Twitter is a form of internet blogging for users to post and share their thoughts to represent their perspective of the world or their daily lives. Until this module, I had never used Twitter in my life. After having a chance to use this form of social media to complete my Assignment number two of the Macbeth unit, I have discovered many interesting elements about this type of internet blogging. For instance, anyone with a Twitter account can either “follow” other users’ Twitter accounts or have their own account being “followed”. By following other users’ accounts, I personally gained a better understanding of that particular account’s owner about their everyday lives and personal thoughts. These users can be my family members and friends. In addition, these users can also be famous celebrities, international organization, news outlets, and many advertisements. By following all these different Twitter accounts, I feel a lot more connected to the outside world and the events surrounding it. This is the feature that I most like about the use of social media. It makes me feel much more educated. Also, I could follow the most up-to-date trends through reading all the different advertisements posted by other users. However, there is only one aspect of Twitter that I am not in favour of. The fact that I can “follow” other users is great. In contrast, the fact that other random users can “follow” my personal account makes me uncomfortable due to my very personal lifestyle and family culture. I am an individual who does not like to share a lot of my personal life with people who are not very close to me. Therefore, while Twitter can be an excellent resource to gather information and inspirations, it also requires more security to protect the user away unnecessary harassment.  

3) Pick one character from the first act and write a "Character Profile" of that character. Tell us what you know about them, what you think will be their role in the play, and what you think about them as a character. Do you like them? Identify with them? Do they teach us anything?

Master William Shakespeare introduces to the audiences many interesting characters in Act I of Macbeth. However, the one character that I am most intrigued in is Macbeth’s best friend, Banquo. In my own opinions, Banquo is a noble, loyal and brave general in the Scottish kingdom. When the witches tell him that his children will eventually inherit the thrown of king, he remains very reasonable and calm and actually does not believe in this prediction as he says “The earth hath bubbles, as the water has, and these are of them. Whither are they vanished?” which demonstrates that Banquo does not even believe that there is such a thing as “witches”.  In contrast, Macbeth not only believes in the prediction but also reacts in a devious manner, which tells us that he is seriously influenced by the witches’ prophecies. Banquo suddenly realizes the change inside of his best friend, Macbeth, and even goes on to tell him that “The instruments of darkness tell us truths, Win us with honest trifles, to betray ’s In deepest consequence”. From this quote, we detect that Banquo is a character who is driven by conscience rather than personal ambition and desires. Based on these noble qualities of Banquo, I think he will be the biggest rival of Macbeth in the future Acts. Compared to Macbeth, Banquo represents loyalty, reality and honesty. Those traits make this character more reliable and a more dependable leader of the oppositions. As the witches predicted, his son will eventually defeats King Macbeth and takes over the crown. I personally believe that this prediction foreshadows the ending of the story; this is very likely that King Macbeth will either be assassinated or defeated by one of Banquo’s sons. As a result, a more dependable and reliable leader will emerge to rule the entire Scottish kingdom.

2) With all this talk about Destiny, Fate and Influence, what role do you think the witches will have in this play? Are we all subject to our? Or can we influence our own future?

The witches’ prediction motivates Macbeth to pursue the throne. If there was no witches’ prophesies, Macbeth would not have been motivated to take over the crown with all costs. Their prophecies direct the actions of Macbeth and his wife. The witches’ roles in this play are not so much about destiny and fate but influence. I don’t believe in pre-determined destiny. In this play, the character Macbeth struggles between his ambition and loyalty after the witches tell him what his future will be like. However, he was then motivated by Lady Macbeth to follow her murder plot to kill the king.  The self-conflict created by the witches and Lady Macbeth caused a huge character flaw in Macbeth as he could not decide on the best course of action to take. Based on the Act I of Macbeth, I believe that if it is destiny or fate for Macbeth to become the king, then he would not have to assassinate the king to begin with.  If the story is based on destiny and fate, the king could have died naturally and Macbeth, the thorn of Cawdor, would have been crowned the next king. As a result, the play could have become a comedy play because nobody does anything evil to achieve his/her desires. I think that we make our own decisions and we have to be responsible for the consequences of our actions. We could be inspired or influenced by others; however, it is us who make the ultimate choices in our lives. For instances, a person could come from a prestigious background yet end up in destruction simply because he or she makes bad choices such as gambling and committing crimes. Also, we can influence our own future. For example, in the case of my own future, if I want to become an engineer, I must complete Chemistry 12 and Physics 12 in order to apply for a major in engineering. 

1) What do I know/think about the play so far? What are my thoughts on Shakespeare, Macbeth and this play so far?

 

Upon finishing Act I, Macbeth, I was quite certain about what is going to happen in the tragic story. I feel that the prophecy of the three witches reveals too much of the story plot.  Moreover, all of the major characters appear in this act, and they are well described and characterized. For example, it is easily detected that Banquo is a noble person who is loyal and logical. He is not easily influenced by the witches’ prediction. On the other hand, Macbeth is certainly affected by the witches. He is tempted by the thought of becoming a king as he thought “Two truths are told, as happy prologues to the swelling act of the imperial theme.” The most interesting character is Lady Macbeth. At this point of the story, she remains forceful and evil. She convinces her husband to take over the throne by murdering King Duncan. Her murder plan to kill the king tells us that she is manipulative, power-thirst and controlling as she says to her husband “Glamis thou art, and Cawdor; and shalt be What thou art promised. Yet do I fear thy 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 it.” It is interesting how Shakespeare uncovers the theme that uncontrolled ambition could result in destruction in the beginning of the play. Through the characterization of Macbeth, Shakespeare shows that we, as humans, all struggle between our conscience and desires. He believes he has no reason to kill the king but his own ambition. With his wife’s manipulation and pressure, Macbeth chooses to carry out the murder plan and pursues the crown even he knows it is not moral. There are a lot of details revealed in act 1 which give me many insights to the story. I have enjoyed this play so far.