Your first blog must be: 5-7 sentences Related to IV,i. and "The Apparitions Speak" on page 126. If you have any trouble blogging on this platform, type your work and bring to tomorrow's class.
Your digital class discussion comments can be shorter.
Thank you for the insight Carter. I think that we should get tshirts for AP Lit and our slogan should be "Remember the Porter". I think there is an emotional togetherness you establish in the class by referencing the joke repeatedly. Sort of like Randle McMurphy in the novel One Flew, you bring legitmate laughter in an AP class that we are requiring to observe seriously. Thank you carter for adding to my learning this year
Greg: I believe that we are viewing the apparitions completely wrong, specifically The Bloody Child and The Crowned Child. The bloody child clearly represents a cesaraen section, and when it states that "no man woman born would harm macbeth", i think that no naturally born person will harm macbeth. We also know at this time that Malcolm is raising an army to fight against Macbeth. I believe that the crowned child symbolizes Malcolm, and the moving forest it speaks about represents the army Malcolm is mobilizing. I do not know, however, why the last of the kings in the 4th apparition holds a mirror. Macbeth clearly doesnt understand what a horrible position he is in right now, as the apparitions clearly fortell his doom.
The c-section theory is quite an interesting one, I never would have thought of that. I did however also think of the idea that "from great Birnham wood to high dunesdain hill" was not literal and that it was a metaphor of the people from those two lands and all in between uniting to overthrow Macbeth.
The thing that I would most like to focus on was something that was mentioned in the "The Apparitions Speak" section, and that is the fact that Macbeth trusts the prophecies and believes them to be true. However, he also chooses to ignore or things that he can change some of the prophecies. When the first apparition tells Macbeth to beware Macduff, Macbeth takes his words and thanks the apparition for the warning. However, when the second apparition tells him that "no man of women born shall harm Macbeth" he entirely disregards the first apparition's warning. Upon seeing Banquo's ghost and his lineage of kings, Macbeth cries out, showing that he clearly believes and fears this prophecy, yet he believes he can change the other prophecies or that he can choose to ignore them.
Personally, I think Macbeth taking the prophecies from three weird sisters and using them as guides for his actions speaks to the gaping holes in his character and self-esteem.
Macbeth appears to be conflicted as he hears more prophecies. Each time a new apparition appears, Macbeth forgets the previous and focuses on what he is presently being told. His confusion shows the effects of his power driven attitude and his mental collapse. After hearing all of the prophecies, Macbeth is still convinced that he is invincible. This idea could come back to hurt Macbeth in the end.
Macbeth clearly relies on the witches’ prophecies in order to quell his anxiety about his fate, but he fails to realize that he himself is the one who controls his own destiny, as evidenced by him killing Duncan to become king. I think the witches recognize this and alternate overtly ominous predictions with confusing double speak, in order to drive Macbeth into further mental anarchy. Macbeth, in his uncertainty, then relies on the survivalist instinct he learned on the battlefield and used in his ascent to the kingship, to kill, and then orders Macduff’s family be murdered. He also tries to turn the ambiguous prophecies into foretelling a positive outcome, while feeling all the more paranoid. I believe the apparitions could each represent a stage of Macbeth’s rise and eventual fall, with the armed head symbolizing him as a warrior, the bloody child conveying Macbeth’s fearful state after killing Duncan (hence the blood), the third representing his coronation as king (superseding Malcolm) and the fourth predicting his eventual fall and Banquo’s line getting the throne. Overall, I think Macbeth’s severe reactions to the apparitions are more telling of his demise than the actual prophecies, and his wobbly mental foundation will cause him to fulfill them himself.
When it comes to the witches prophecies, MacBeth only hears what he wants to. When the first apparition tells him to beware MacDuff, he is concerned. After the second apparition speaks, however, MacDuff is no longer a concern to MacBeth. The third apparition only makes MacBeth more ignorant to the words of the armored head because he believes that there is no way that the conditions of the second two prophecies can be met. When the fourth apparition appears and restates the first prophecy, MacBeth is left to wonder how it can possibly come true because he believes himself to be invincible. After viewing all the prophecies, MacBeth has only become more conceited.
After hearing all four apparitions speak and Macbeth's reaction to them, it is interesting to see how he interprets each to suit his desires. Despite the fact that the witches prophecies have all come true so far, why would he immediately dismiss the first apparition's prediction upon hearing the second and third? In addition, even prior to hearing the second and third apparitions, he does not seem at all concerned by the first appariton's warning. On the other hand, he cannot stand the thought of Banquo leading a line of kings. In other words, he is less concerned about his own life than he is about someone who he called a friend having his lineage become royalty. Being that Macbeth has no son to take the crown in his death, it is very possible that he could just die of natural causes and Fleance be deservingly selected the next king.
After reading Part IV Scene i, there are many things running through my head. For example, the play is a bit confusing when the apparitions give their insight about the future of Macbeth. Four different objects deliver four different messages to Macbeth about his future, which just make him more hot-headed and conceited based on what they had told him. One important messages from the apparitions was the third one, that said that Macbeth will not be conquered until Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane Hill. This is the most important one to me because a forest is unable to move and relocate, inferring that Macbeth will never be conquered for as long as he lives, making Macbeth feel invincible. Another event that took place in the play was Macbeth's constant fighting in battle and winning every single one of them, just slicing and carving his way to victory against his enemies. After coming into contact with these four apparitions, Macbeth just hears what he wants to hear and does not feel threatened by anybody, thus making him feel like the most powerful man around.
This scene shows how far Macbeth's mind has deteriorated. Once a noble soldier under a noble king, the chaos that has ensued due to his rule mirrors the chaos in his actions. His lust for the crown, more so to retain it, has shrouded his judgment. Not only does he twist the witches and apparitions' words to indulge his own desires, he doesn't consider other practical options to prevent Macduff's rebellion but instead chooses to put his complete faith into ambiguous prophecies. Macbeth came into this meeting wanting to hear good news and so he doesn't think about what the apparitions could be truly saying. I believe this ignorance and greed will ultimately cause Macbeth's downfall.
Alyssa G. - After reading Act IV scene i, Macbeth seems quick to believe anything that the apparitions said, as long as it benifited him. He seemed to have pretty positive that he would be safe in the upcoming war. He is sure he won't be conquered, especially after hearing the bloody child's promise that he won't get conquered unless Birnam Wood marches to Dunsinane (unlikely). Macbeth is now changed. He says that from this point on, he won't think before acting. He isn't going to contemplate whether something is good or bad anymore, which can make for some bad decisions. One of these decisions being his agreement to kill Macduff's entire family for selfish reasons.
In the very beginning of the scene, we see that Macbeth's mind is fixated on the power of the witches' prophecies and the idea of destruction (particularly of power) because he cites that they can make disastrous events occur. Determining what exactly the witches' goal was in showing Macbeth these apparitions is difficult because they elicit very conflicting responses in him. The first and last illusions make him believe in his paranoia, encouraging him to beware Macduff and the witches' previous prediction about Banquo, but the second and third illusions assure Macbeth that he will never be dethroned. Macbeth is trapped between relieved self confidence and intense fear and suspicion, so we can conclude that the witches probably intended to make Macbeth feel more uncertain. In the chilling end to the scene, Macbeth resolves to act solely based on his impulses instead of relying on logical reasoning, proving Macbeth's complete loss of mental sanity. He cold-bloodedly orders that Macduff's entire family be killed, including his wife and children.
Let's discuss Act IV
ReplyDeleteREMEMBER THE PORTER
DeleteYour first blog must be:
Delete5-7 sentences
Related to IV,i. and "The Apparitions Speak" on page 126.
If you have any trouble blogging on this platform, type your work and bring to tomorrow's class.
Your digital class discussion comments can be shorter.
Thank you for the insight Carter. I think that we should get tshirts for AP Lit and our slogan should be "Remember the Porter". I think there is an emotional togetherness you establish in the class by referencing the joke repeatedly. Sort of like Randle McMurphy in the novel One Flew, you bring legitmate laughter in an AP class that we are requiring to observe seriously. Thank you carter for adding to my learning this year
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteGreg: I believe that we are viewing the apparitions completely wrong, specifically The Bloody Child and The Crowned Child. The bloody child clearly represents a cesaraen section, and when it states that "no man woman born would harm macbeth", i think that no naturally born person will harm macbeth. We also know at this time that Malcolm is raising an army to fight against Macbeth. I believe that the crowned child symbolizes Malcolm, and the moving forest it speaks about represents the army Malcolm is mobilizing. I do not know, however, why the last of the kings in the 4th apparition holds a mirror. Macbeth clearly doesnt understand what a horrible position he is in right now, as the apparitions clearly fortell his doom.
ReplyDeleteThe c-section theory is quite an interesting one, I never would have thought of that. I did however also think of the idea that "from great Birnham wood to high dunesdain hill" was not literal and that it was a metaphor of the people from those two lands and all in between uniting to overthrow Macbeth.
DeleteThank you Brandon. If i had one, I would give you my Kids Choice Award
DeleteThe thing that I would most like to focus on was something that was mentioned in the "The Apparitions Speak" section, and that is the fact that Macbeth trusts the prophecies and believes them to be true. However, he also chooses to ignore or things that he can change some of the prophecies. When the first apparition tells Macbeth to beware Macduff, Macbeth takes his words and thanks the apparition for the warning. However, when the second apparition tells him that "no man of women born shall harm Macbeth" he entirely disregards the first apparition's warning. Upon seeing Banquo's ghost and his lineage of kings, Macbeth cries out, showing that he clearly believes and fears this prophecy, yet he believes he can change the other prophecies or that he can choose to ignore them.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I think Macbeth taking the prophecies from three weird sisters and using them as guides for his actions speaks to the gaping holes in his character and self-esteem.
DeleteMacbeth appears to be conflicted as he hears more prophecies. Each time a new apparition appears, Macbeth forgets the previous and focuses on what he is presently being told. His confusion shows the effects of his power driven attitude and his mental collapse. After hearing all of the prophecies, Macbeth is still convinced that he is invincible. This idea could come back to hurt Macbeth in the end.
ReplyDeleteMacbeth clearly relies on the witches’ prophecies in order to quell his anxiety about his fate, but he fails to realize that he himself is the one who controls his own destiny, as evidenced by him killing Duncan to become king. I think the witches recognize this and alternate overtly ominous predictions with confusing double speak, in order to drive Macbeth into further mental anarchy. Macbeth, in his uncertainty, then relies on the survivalist instinct he learned on the battlefield and used in his ascent to the kingship, to kill, and then orders Macduff’s family be murdered. He also tries to turn the ambiguous prophecies into foretelling a positive outcome, while feeling all the more paranoid. I believe the apparitions could each represent a stage of Macbeth’s rise and eventual fall, with the armed head symbolizing him as a warrior, the bloody child conveying Macbeth’s fearful state after killing Duncan (hence the blood), the third representing his coronation as king (superseding Malcolm) and the fourth predicting his eventual fall and Banquo’s line getting the throne. Overall, I think Macbeth’s severe reactions to the apparitions are more telling of his demise than the actual prophecies, and his wobbly mental foundation will cause him to fulfill them himself.
ReplyDeleteI apologize for the accidental duplicate post
DeleteIts ok kyle. We love you still.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to the witches prophecies, MacBeth only hears what he wants to. When the first apparition tells him to beware MacDuff, he is concerned. After the second apparition speaks, however, MacDuff is no longer a concern to MacBeth. The third apparition only makes MacBeth more ignorant to the words of the armored head because he believes that there is no way that the conditions of the second two prophecies can be met. When the fourth apparition appears and restates the first prophecy, MacBeth is left to wonder how it can possibly come true because he believes himself to be invincible. After viewing all the prophecies, MacBeth has only become more conceited.
ReplyDeleteAfter hearing all four apparitions speak and Macbeth's reaction to them, it is interesting to see how he interprets each to suit his desires. Despite the fact that the witches prophecies have all come true so far, why would he immediately dismiss the first apparition's prediction upon hearing the second and third? In addition, even prior to hearing the second and third apparitions, he does not seem at all concerned by the first appariton's warning. On the other hand, he cannot stand the thought of Banquo leading a line of kings. In other words, he is less concerned about his own life than he is about someone who he called a friend having his lineage become royalty. Being that Macbeth has no son to take the crown in his death, it is very possible that he could just die of natural causes and Fleance be deservingly selected the next king.
ReplyDeleteWhy does he care who becomes king after him if he'll be dead anyway?
DeleteAfter reading Part IV Scene i, there are many things running through my head. For example, the play is a bit confusing when the apparitions give their insight about the future of Macbeth. Four different objects deliver four different messages to Macbeth about his future, which just make him more hot-headed and conceited based on what they had told him. One important messages from the apparitions was the third one, that said that Macbeth will not be conquered until Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane Hill. This is the most important one to me because a forest is unable to move and relocate, inferring that Macbeth will never be conquered for as long as he lives, making Macbeth feel invincible. Another event that took place in the play was Macbeth's constant fighting in battle and winning every single one of them, just slicing and carving his way to victory against his enemies. After coming into contact with these four apparitions, Macbeth just hears what he wants to hear and does not feel threatened by anybody, thus making him feel like the most powerful man around.
ReplyDeleteThis scene shows how far Macbeth's mind has deteriorated. Once a noble soldier under a noble king, the chaos that has ensued due to his rule mirrors the chaos in his actions. His lust for the crown, more so to retain it, has shrouded his judgment. Not only does he twist the witches and apparitions' words to indulge his own desires, he doesn't consider other practical options to prevent Macduff's rebellion but instead chooses to put his complete faith into ambiguous prophecies. Macbeth came into this meeting wanting to hear good news and so he doesn't think about what the apparitions could be truly saying. I believe this ignorance and greed will ultimately cause Macbeth's downfall.
ReplyDeleteAlyssa G. - After reading Act IV scene i, Macbeth seems quick to believe anything that the apparitions said, as long as it benifited him. He seemed to have pretty positive that he would be safe in the upcoming war. He is sure he won't be conquered, especially after hearing the bloody child's promise that he won't get conquered unless Birnam Wood marches to Dunsinane (unlikely). Macbeth is now changed. He says that from this point on, he won't think before acting. He isn't going to contemplate whether something is good or bad anymore, which can make for some bad decisions. One of these decisions being his agreement to kill Macduff's entire family for selfish reasons.
ReplyDeleteHe seemed to have been pretty positive that he would be safe in the upcoming war.*
DeleteIn the very beginning of the scene, we see that Macbeth's mind is fixated on the power of the witches' prophecies and the idea of destruction (particularly of power) because he cites that they can make disastrous events occur. Determining what exactly the witches' goal was in showing Macbeth these apparitions is difficult because they elicit very conflicting responses in him. The first and last illusions make him believe in his paranoia, encouraging him to beware Macduff and the witches' previous prediction about Banquo, but the second and third illusions assure Macbeth that he will never be dethroned. Macbeth is trapped between relieved self confidence and intense fear and suspicion, so we can conclude that the witches probably intended to make Macbeth feel more uncertain. In the chilling end to the scene, Macbeth resolves to act solely based on his impulses instead of relying on logical reasoning, proving Macbeth's complete loss of mental sanity. He cold-bloodedly orders that Macduff's entire family be killed, including his wife and children.
ReplyDelete