Macbeth Journal #7
Draft journal #7 by selecting one of the prompts below. Be sure to cite evidence, post on the blog, and reply. Don't forget to include your name, the journal title, and your class period at the beginning of your response.
- The Trouble with Tragedy- Describe what is happening to Lady Macbeth in scene 1. Why is she so troubled? How has she changed since the beginning of the play? Does he change relate to the theme of ambition in the play? How do you differ from Lady Macbeth?
- Fit to be King?- In scene 2 Scottish rebels are discussing Macbeth. What is the metaphor they use to describe his role as king? What message does this metaphor get across and is it effective? What does it take to be a good leader?
- King and Country-In Act 2 Scene 4 we see strange happenings. Now in Act 5 scene 2 the country is described as sick and in need of medicine. Why does this metaphor work? Do the strange happenings or current sickness say anything about Macbeth as king? What does the metaphor say about kingship in general?
- The Nature of Things-Describe the role of nature in this scene. Does it differ from how we see nature portrayed earlier in the play? Does this tie into the theme everything is not always what it seems? Why or why not?
Please see the discussion board rubric linked below.
Riley Edwards 1st period King and Country
ReplyDeleteIn any government, the ruler should be a reflection of his country and vice versa. When Macbeth assumes leadership of his country as a darkened man, his country naturally begins to resemble his own state. That corrupt force that drives Macbeth begins to drive Scotland as a whole, and as Macbeth advances towards his tragic fall, Scotland as a whole experiences this maladies I equal effect. The strange happenings Macbeth originally experienced transformed into a full fledged villain. Scotland is as I'll for it as Macbeth. The land really does resemble its monarch.
I agree that a leader should reflect and represent his people so that they can be understanding their people's concerns
DeleteIn a sense, while Macbeth in his own right is considered a tragic character, the land in which he rules is also considered a tragic character. Since Macbeth and his land are on in the same, then it would fit the story that the land exhibits a tragic downfall, similar to Macbeth's downfall.
DeleteI agree that neither Macbeth nor Scotland were ready for the events to come, which factored in to their downfalls.
DeleteI didn't see it that way thank you for pointing it out.
DeleteQuinton Champitto king and country
ReplyDeleteA king is the person who keeps a country together, he is the metaphorical glue that keeps a country alive. If a country falls we rarely blame anyone but the king and the same goes for fictional kings like Macbeth. If the country is falling ill it represents Macbeth's inability to keep his men healthy shows that he is incapable of ruling his country and keeping his men healthy. Macbeth is no longer a king for his men but a king for himself. He has lost sight of his kingly duties and has only been focused on the propheci that he's been told, and how to prevent them from happening.
The metaphors itself represents a kings reign in relation to his people and how it affects them personally and physically. If a king is unable to help his people than he is unworthy and unfit to rule them.
Austin Gain - 1st
DeleteI agree with your comment that a king is like a metaphorical glue that holds a country together. The king is what keeps the people in order the country strong against all odds, so if the metaphorical glue is weakened by the acts of a power corrupt king, then the country will surely see defeat.
These are all great points. It is interesting to me how I king will always receive the blame for any problems, but does not receive as much glory for success.
DeleteI like how you don't directly mention Malcolm but it is clear that you are referring to him and his insecurity of being king. Malcolm and Macbeth are both opposites when it comes to the kingdom and you capture both of them excellently.
DeleteAustin Gain - 1st - King and Country
ReplyDeleteThe metaphor of the country being sick and in need of medicine works in this situation due to the fact that Macbeth has been corrupted with power and insanity, in which Macbeth has become morally and emotional sick. Typically throughout history and in literature, the King and the land in which he leads are supposedly one in the same, so if the King is morally and emotional sick, then the land will succumb to the same fate. The metaphor in general states that kingship is all about knowing when the king has acquired too much power and corruption, and when the king needs a system of checks and balances in order to prevent further corruption. The land, in which the people who are being ruled in, decides whether or not a king is best fit for their role, or whether that king should be thrown out of power. In Macbeth's case, the people in which he rules over are either subjected to tyranny, or dead. Without the people to moderate a king, the king will become out of control and succumb to corruption and downfall, similar to Macbeth.
I agree that since Macbeth is now corrupted and insane, his country is now as well. The leaders of a country are often seen as the physical representation of it.
DeleteI doubt that Shakespeare actively set out o promote types of government that are idealistically opposite of the monarchy present in England during his life.
Deletepd 6
DeleteI agree that the metaphor works well in relation to the play. Kings are figureheads of their countries and give they're people something to look up to and follow. They are leaders. Macbeth's actions would have made him uninspiring to his people and unfit to rule.
I agree very much - a king is nothing without his subjects, so his first responsibility should be to them. I think the point Shakespeare is making here is that Macbeth is a bad king because he is self-centered and cares only for preserving his power, and does not seem to care about the realm.
DeleteLeslie Castro 1st Period The Trouble With Tragedy
ReplyDeleteLady Macbeth is sleepwalking in this scene. The doctor and gentlewoman are disturbed in this scene because they see sleepwalking as an unnatural event that stems from blemishes in the soul. "Unnatural deeds do breathe unnatural troubles." Lady Macbeth cannot seem to get the blood off her hands metaphorically, try as she might physically. Her "deeds" have finally caught up with her, though she tried her hardest to emotionally detach from them. She started the show as a confident woman ready to do whatever it took to reach her goals. Now she is so affected by her ambition she can't even sleep. She's the prime example of being unable to keep your morals in pursuit of something.
I really like all of your thoughts about the state of Lady Macbeth. I think that her downfall was foreseeable, although not to this extent, as when it came down to physically committing the murder she could not do it.
DeleteShe functions as a very stereotypical picture of what a woman is. She is bound by her feelings while Macbeth is relatively free of them. She is then the symbol of feminine weakness.
Deletepd 6
DeleteI think Lady Macbeth's downfall is very important in furthering the idea that ambition can lead to betraying personal morals. She's the real push that gets Duncan killed and after his murder we see her cool and collected, so without this scene there would be no downside to ambition.
I agree in the sense that ambition can lead to a downfall. In the beginning, Macbeth was able to maintain her composure, unlike now.
DeleteHeavenlee Burt -Period 6th
DeleteI never really thought of the doctor thinking that her sleepwalking was unnatural. I thought he was more referring to the way she does it, with cryptic words while she creeps around the house unaware of what she's truly doing or saying.
I agree that we are unable to keep our morals while pursuing something , w let our ambition cloud our judgement.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteMeredyth Albright - Second Period
DeleteI agree that her morals have stayed the same, but I wonder if an alternative for her would be to justify her own morals.
Walker Morrell (1st Period)
ReplyDeleteThe Trouble with Tragedy
Lady Macbeth has devolved into a state of lunacy as a result of the murder of Duncan. The doctor and the gentlewoman who has been looking after her discuss how Lady Macbeth has been losing physical abilities. For example, she can only walk in her sleep, she is deathly afraid of the dark, and she cannot see. “You see her eyes are open. Ay, but their sense are shut,” (5.1.22-23). She is especially troubled by memory of all of Duncan’s blood on her hands. “Out, damned spot! Out, I say!...Yet who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him,” she says (5.1.31-36).
At the beginning of the play she was fully engaged with her senses and manipulative. She was not afraid of blood or murder and she couldn't be any more different in Scene 5. The change shows how ambition can come back to hurt a person through their guilt and tragic memories. Her mental affliction has even had physical effects and she is truly suffering as a result of her ambitions.
I completely agree with the fact that too much ambition can actually hurt someone. It is crazy to look back at how her midset was in the beginning to how it is now.
DeleteI completely agree as well, it seems that Macbeth let her goals and desires get the best of her morals.
DeleteVictoria Wiktor (2) - The Trouble with Tragedy
ReplyDeleteLady Macbeth is reaching the point of her downfall and fulfilling the theme of how ambition and pride can eventually ruin someone's mental and physical health. In the beginning of Act 5 Lady Macbeth is suffering symptoms of sleep walking and can not walk out of the state of sleep. She is finally receiving the consequences of being behind Duncan's murder. She is sleep walking and in distress because she is realizing that her fate is set and she can't escape the fact that she has done wrong. Lady Macbeth is a completely different woman than she was in the beginning of the play. As of right now it is hard for me to even see the old, confident Lady Macbeth. She used to call all of the shots but now she is in desperate need of help.
Lady Macbeth is very ambitious in Act 1 and is now suffering. I agree that her pride has started to ruin her.
DeleteHannah Cooper(1)
DeleteI agree that ambition and pride can ruin both mental and physical health. I also agree that she used to be the one in charge, calling the shots, but now is unable to do that and needs help to deal with her mental despair.
Brennan Lewis (6th)
DeleteI agree. I noticed that even in her last moments, Lady Macbeth still blamed Macbeth for his actions rather than admitting her own wrongdoing.
Nature is controlled by the witches, by fate, throughout the play. As seen in the imagery in the opening of Act I ("thunder, lightning, or in rain" (I.i)), these elements lend a darker, eerie tone to the play. This continues in Act two as the storm outside reflects the turmoil within Macbeth's home when Duncan is murdered. In the final act of the play we see nature controlled by the people versus fate. Up to this point, the weather has shown the truth. It's given the idea that things are what they seem outside. But when, in Act V, Macduff and other forces meet within the wood and take pieces of it to cover themselves, they switch the themes of the play. They, the ultimate victors, are the ones who take control of their own fate rather than focus on the prophecies of the witches to guide them, like Macbeth does. They, not fate, are the ones controlling nature by moving the "Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill" (IV.i). Instead of nature revealing the truth of things, now it tricks Macbeth. His belief in the literal interpretation of the Weird Sister's words leads to his demise at the hands of those willing to forge their own path.
ReplyDeleteI like how you pointed out that nature and fate are linked in Macbeth. When Malcolm orders his men to grab the branches of Birnam Wood to hide themselves, he is seizing his own fate, something he started doing when he agreed to be King of Scotland. Macbeth cannot either fully trust fate or fully take matters into his own hands, wavering between the two in his characteristic indecisive nature. This lack of conviction is ultimately what does him in.
DeleteIt was interesting how the English/Scottish forces took pieces of wood from the forest to simulate the prophecy without even knowing about the prophecy. In my opinion it reveals that fate is unbreakable and unpredictable. Mere wording cannot help predict the total future or how it literally came to be.
DeleteBrennan Lewis (6th)
DeleteI agree with the idea of the weather reflecting the progression of the plot and the connection to fate. The intensity of the weather increased as the plot got closer to the final battle.
Period 6
DeleteIn one of the previous journals, it was mentioned that Duncan's (and Banquo's) murder was considered unnatural and that nature itself was affected by this abnormality. So in your saying that nature now tricks Macbeth, by shielding the soldiers and allowing the prophecy of Macbeth's death to become true, it is, in a sense, nature getting back at Macbeth for the unnatural acts he has committed.
Svetak Sundhar-Trouble With Tragedy-6th periid
ReplyDeleteIn scene 1, Lady MacBeth is sleepwalking. The gentlewoman tries to explain to the doctor what is going on, but the doctor doubts it at first. Lady Macbeth says "things she wouldnt normally say" and has blood on her hands. Both the doctor and the gentlewoman are very disturbed, as actions like this are described as "unnatural troubles".
During the beginning of the play, Lady Macbeth was rather stern, but more importantly, maintained her composure. It seems now that her ambitions have gotten the best of her, ruling over her mind and her body. The theme of ambition and desire is certainly brought back at this point.
I am similar to Macbeth in that I try to do whatever it takes to reach my goals, however I know the limit. After some point, I realize that I am an individual, that no goal can triumph. Macbeth's example shows how the ambition hurt her (with guilts).
I think it's very smart to know limits! There are certain lines that cannot be crossed without consequences, and sometimes those consequences can break us.
DeleteI also like how you pointed out that Lady Macbeth was very composed at the beginning of the play, especially in comparison to Macbeth. Their roles have seemed to reverse slightly, with Lady Macbeth now spiraling out of control and Macbeth taking more purposeful actions.
This shows that Lady Macbeth has definitely been hiding emotions of guilt that Macbeth was unable to hide. It also shows that she is anxious and that her mind is full of these thoughts but she is unable to forget them
DeleteLady Macbeth has definitely been holding in all of her emotions, which is quite opposite of what she was like at the beginning of the play.good work svetak
DeleteAmanda Nemecek (6) – The Trouble with Tragedy
ReplyDeleteLady Macbeth has finally snapped. Macbeth has temporarily left the castle and she no longer has anyone with whom to bear the great burden of Duncan’s murder and the additional deaths Macbeth has added on top of that. Due to this, the guilt and the fear she was internalizing has finally leaked to the surface, and her servant states that “I have since seen her rise from her bed” and perform a series of complex actions “while in a most fast sleep.” (Act V, Scene I)
Sleepwalking is often the sign of a troubled mind. Pairing this with Lady Macbeth’s repetitive action of scrubbing at her hands and murmuring about spots of blood and how “Here’s the smell of blood still. All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand,” (Act V, Scene I) and it is clear that her mental state has sharply declined. At the beginning of the play she had her act together and her lips firmly shut; now she is mad and unconsciously spouting secrets. This reflects the overall theme of how heedless ambition will ruin a man, or a woman in this case. Lady Macbeth’s vast and unstoppable ambition has led to her severely degraded state.
Like Lady Macbeth, I tend to internalize. However, unlike her I would never commit a crime so terrible that I would be driven insane by the concealment of it.
I agree, Lady Macbeth goes crazy after the weight of the burden has gotten heavier than she can take.
DeleteI like how you brought in the point of "sleepwalking is often the sign of a troubled mind". Honestly when I read it, I didn't quite make the connection as you did, so well done.
DeleteThe Trouble with Tragedy - Louis Jacobowitz (pd. 1)
ReplyDeleteInitially, Lady Macbeth's will was much stronger than her husband's. While Macbeth had continuous doubts about his actions, the murdering of his king, Lady Macbeth was encouraging the entire way. Now, as she sleepwalks, she continues to support her husband in that same endeavor - she has lost her sanity, and is reliving the moments over and over. And in this, she provides an interesting contrast to Macbeth. Macbeth doubted himself almost immediately, and felt his guilt constantly even before he had committed his grave sin. Lady Macbeth, on the other hand, seemed to avoid any guilt, and remained strong and steadfast for her husband as he began to have trouble keeping his mind together (for example, her grounded efforts to save the feast in Act 3 when Macbeth was acting strange and seeing apparitions). But by this point, she has lost her strength and now cannot maintain her composure - she has been almost taken over by the guilt she's been suppressing all this time. In other words, she is suffering because of her ambition, and her trying to thereby justify her actions.
Lady Macbeth's downfall came because she ignored her feelings and blindly followed her ambition without checking her course. As my favorite quote goes, "A juggernaut does not pause to correct trajectory. It merely presses on. But by stopping, doubting, and occasionally doubling back, you keep a truer course." Lady Macbeth is the juggernaut, and that is her downfall.
Brian Fischer (6)
DeleteIn a lot of ways, Macbeth is a juggernaut as well. He is constantly trying to push down the uncertainty and guilt welling up in him by chugging forwards with his reign of terror. He keeps recklessly swinging his iron fist in hopes of losing himself in all the chaos.
Kayla Curry pd 2
DeleteI agree with this statement.
Brianna Bulgarino 2 The Trouble with Tragedy
ReplyDeleteIn Scene 1, Lady Macbeth is sleepwalking. One of her housekeepers calls a doctor to check out the problem. She continuously washes her hand and comments of the blood, saying “ Yet who would have thought the old man to have so much blood in him?”. The guilt of her previous ambition is starting to cause mental health problems. At the beginning of the play, she was the stable leader. Now, she does not have much strength. This relates to theme by showing the bad affects that ambition and greed can have on a person.
I agree she started to develop mental health problems due to her greedy ambitions. She does not have the strength to follow up on murders on her account( She is one of the catalyst who convinced Macbeth to kill the king). Her incapability to think ahead has showed that some ambition needs foresight,sacrifices, and strength.
DeleteLady Macbeth was strong and stable in the beginning of the murder. However, like you mentioned, her strength is weakened by this tragic incident.
DeleteI agree that Lady Macbeth is crumbling faster than her husband. I wonder if this is supposed to be commentary on the weakness of women, which would be surprising because of how strongly women are portrayed in Lady Macbeth's initial political ambition.
DeleteKayla Curry 22
DeleteThis does show what effect greed and ambition can have.
Monica Ramirez (6)
DeleteHer sleep walking shows that her greed and how she got her husband to become king in a cruel way is now taunting her becomes she can't sleep. Her mind is pretty much focus on her terrible deed. I would say that this shows that she has officially fallen and collapse.
I feel that the initial perception of Lady Macbeth being "strong" was inaccurate because her strengths were actually weaknesses in regards to what is morally right and wrong. Her life is full of sin and could be mistaken for strength.
DeleteMeredyth Albright - Second Period
DeleteIt is clear to see that the guilt from her previous ambition is causing her mental and physical malfunctions, do you think she would have ever foreseen this happening to her back in the beginning, when she originally planned to kill/had Macbeth kill King Duncan?
ReplyDeleteDeepak Badveli, The Trouble with Tragedy, 1st
At night Lady Macbeth writes letters and reads them and seals them back up while still being a sleep.”[Gentle woman] I have seen her rise from her bed, throw her nightgown upon her, and unlock her closet…” She also makes gestures of repeatedly washing her hands as she trying to relieve all the murders Macbeth and she experienced and carried out. “[Lady Macbeth] Here’s the smell of the blood still. All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand…” Lady Macbeth has changed greatly from the beginning of the play till now. She was once a woman with great ambitions who will do anything without worrying of the consequences but at the end she feels guilt for the murders. She only has the will to kill only one person, not a whole family. She reveals the theme about ambition within the play. The theme probably is do not go too far for one’s own goal or there will be regret. Another way of looking at ambition is there is always problems when reaching one’s goal and one must create the will to keep on going on that path even if they dislike it. Lady Macbeth does not have that will and died because of her ambition.
I differ greatly from Lady Macbeth. First of all, I did not plan any murders or have any secret knowledge of any murders. I think ahead and see the consequences to my actions and I am not much of a risk taker. I want to just live a comfortably, rich and guilt-free life.
I think that the washing of her hands symbolizes the blood she has on them. She wants to wash her guilt away, but it sticks to her.
DeleteKaylin Cooley 2nd- Fit to be King?
ReplyDeleteIn Act 5 scene 2, the Scottish rebels used a metaphor to describe Macbeth as a king. “Now does he feel his title hang loose about him, like a giant’s robe upon a dwarfish thief.” Meaning he seems too small to be a great king, like a midget trying to wear the robes of a giant. Macbeth's efforts to maintain power through violence have, in fact, turned people against him and made him weak. His fate is approaching slowly. The rebels used a great metaphor describing Macbeth because it truly fits the situation. To be a good leader, you need to be able to get along with people you are the head of. Also you need to have self-motivation, a vision for greater things, have confidence, be accountable, and be honest. If you want someone to follow after your footsteps, you need to be trustworthy also. Macbeth lacks most of these traits.
Brian Fischer (6)
DeleteAnother thing I noticed is that they used the word "thief" for Macbeth. That's different than using a word like "bandit" or "criminal". They use the smaller and less grand word "thief". It's easy to write off a petty thief. The rebels are just stomping and spitting on the already poor image of Macbeth's leadership.
[2nd] I like how you point out the use of 'thief' instead of 'murderer' or another word for criminal. It contrasts the depths of Macbeth's crimes with what others will deign to call them. Aside from all the killing he does and orchestrates, Macbeth's simplest crime is stealing the crown when he is undeserving of it.
Delete6th period
DeleteGoing off of what you stated about wanting someone to "follow after your footsteps", I think it's interesting that the Scottish rebels seem to describe Macbeth's kingly predecessors as giants, while Macbeth is yet a dwarf. Typically giants are connotatively seen as large, brutish beasts, while dwarves are seen as fairly harmless beings. So seeing as how giant and dwarf are used to mean the exact opposite, the terms must be referring entirely to virtue--in which case the kings before Macbeth, such as Duncan, had tremendous integrity, while Macbeth's honor is insignificant in comparison.
I agree with your (perhaps excessively poetically expressed) opinion. I think the reason Macbeth is not a good ruler is that he claimed the position for himself and his wife, not for the people. And after all, there is no leader without his followers; a leader's first obligation is towards his followers.
ReplyDeleteSirisha Karra (1st) - Trouble With Tragedy
ReplyDeleteIn Act 5 Scene 1, Lady Macbeth is sleepwalking, as witnessed by the gentlewoman and the doctor. It seems as if her deeds of killing and her intention of wanting to kill King Duncan are finally catching up with her as she enters a state of insanity. At the beginning of the play, Lady Macbeth is perceived and thought of as manipulative, as she convinces Macbeth will all her power to go through with killing King Duncan. As the play progressed all the way to Act 5 (where we are now), it is almost as if she has taken a complete turn in the way that she behaves. She loses her command and starts to waver as she experiences this sleep walking state of mind.
It is tragic that Lady Macbeth has to experience such negative combacks from what she has done previously. I admire how goal driven she is - how hard she fights for what she wants. Although it leads to her entering a state of lunacy, I admire her drive and ambition for what she wants to do.
It is sad in a way to see such a commanding character be completely turned around in such a short amount of time. I agree that her drive was something to be admired.
DeleteI agree that Lady Macbeth's previously displayed manipulation has come back to haunt her- in the form of spots of blood on her hands. This emphasizes that the blood on her husband's hands is on hers as well.
DeleteBrian Fischer (6): The Trouble with Tragedy
ReplyDeleteSince the murder of King Duncan, Lady Macbeth and Macbeth have been emotionally deteriorating in opposite directions. In the beginning, Lady Macbeth was jumping all over the idea to murder the king, while Macbeth was hesitant and distressed by the thought of it. At this point in the play, the roles have switched. Macbeth is now the one quick to turn to bloodshed, while Lady Macbeth has quieted down and is disturbed by all of the terror Macbeth caused. Lady Macbeth sees this largely as her own fault. This is made clear through her constant talk of trying to clean her bloody hands. Throughout the entire play, Lady Macbeth tries to detach herself from all of the madness by diverting her problems and mistakes to other people, such as the guards or Macbeth. By the time she is sleepwalking in front of the doctor, her pains have already caught up with her. Seeing Lady Macbeth so terrorized by her own reach for power nails down the theme instilled earlier in the play that ambition is dangerous and consuming. I differ from Lady Macbeth in that I can work passively with what I have without always having to jump in and take drastic action to gain control. Control is only an illusion, after all.
While Macbeth is gaining confidence during his killing sprees, he is also experiecing a mental deterioration. It is quite clear that both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are struggling with their sanity, though they try to remain okay by opposite means.
DeleteElizabeth Vicario, pd. 2
DeleteI totally agree! I wonder, though, if it's possible that Lady Macbeth's insanity (or mental illness) was actually the cause of her egging on Macbeth. From the moment she read the letter she seemed lit by a fire that would eventually ruin her. It could actually be the beginnings of a hysteria that happened to set in at the very wrong time in her life.
Catherine Lumsden (2nd) - The Trouble With Tragedy
ReplyDeleteIn scene one of act five, Lady Macbeth is sleepwalking every night. She is troubled by her decisions and Macbeth's blood-thirst. The sleep walking started when "his majesty went into the field." She is also afraid of the dark, commanding a "light by her continually." This shows her fear of her choices and when they will come to haunt her. This eventually leads her to committing suicide because she cannot live with her mistakes. She has changed much from the beginning of the play, from when she pushed Macbeth to kill King Duncan. At the start, she was a powerful figure who did not consider the consequences of her actions. She has changed from a commanding figure into a shadow of her former self, tormented by her fate.
I differ from Lady Macbeth because I don't believe I would ever ask for someone to die for my own advancement. If I did however, I would feel very bad about it, which Lady Macbeth does.
I agree about Lady Macbeth being afraid of her own bad choices coming back to haunt her. Maybe she has more of a conscience than we thought?
DeleteI agree. Maybe she did have more of a conscience than we thought. In the beginning, she was just viewed as being manipulative, and not seeing the other side of things (basically just pure evil).
DeleteI agree she is afraid of her bad choices and i feel like in a way she regrets committing them cause now she can't sleep at night. Usually when something keeps up at night it's because of your conscience,regret and over thinking.
DeleteKaitlin Coleman, pd. 6
ReplyDeleteKing and Country
In Act VI when Scotland is described as "in need of medicine," suggesting that the country is suffering a sickness both physical and mental. There seems to be a shadow cast over the place that the people cannot shake. This is an interesting comparison to the increasing darkness of Macbeth's spirit as the play progresses. It seems as though the land is reflecting its leadership. It is logical that a nation would reflect its ruler and the way the ruler handles his politics, which Macbeth is clearly doing in a poisonous way. This metaphor implies an inherent responsibility for kings in general, suggesting that the leader influences his people in a psychological and sometimes physical way.
Also, Macbeth is in need of medicine in a sense because he is now being compared to the devil and need to be purged of his sins.
DeleteElizabeth Vicario, pd. 2
DeleteI interpreted the "medicine" as the heir Malcolm, which is needed by the country to ail its (or Macbeth's) sudden burst of insanity. I suppose this is a euphemism, since the medicine Macbeth will receive is his own death.
The medicine can definitely be perceived many different ways, so I agree with all three of you in that regard. No matter which way you look at it, the country needs help and Macbeth needs to meet his end to begin to relieve the country of its sickness.
DeleteDivya Agarwal 1st Pd The Trouble With Tragedy
ReplyDeleteIn scene 1, Lady Macbeth is sleepwalking and dreaming/hallucinating of bloodstains on her hand. Even though she has not physically committed any murders, she realizes that the weight of these deaths rests upon her. Lady Macbeth speaks to herself about how the blood will never wash off of her hands but there is not much that she can do about that. She has changed since the beginning of the play in the sense that she has gone from a self assured and relatively heartless woman to a woman who is uncertain and scared. Currently, her emotions are taking control over her and forcing her into insanity which is duly noted by the doctor. This relates to the theme of ambition because while Lady Macbeth was initially "ambitious" and anxious to ascend to the throne, she now does not care for that and is overtaken by her fear and guilt. This shows that ambition is not enough to carry a person to the top and help them achieve their goal. While Lady Macbeth may have achieved her goal in theory, she didn't in reality. I would say that I am different from Lady Macbeth in the sense that most of the decisions I make are carefully thought out and the repercussions noted so that I am not overwhelmed by regret at a later time.
I think its interesting you pointed out that Lady Macbeth has the impression that she has achieved her goals when in she has not at all achieved what she originally strived for. I completely agree, all she has accomplished is driving herself to insanity.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThe Trouble With Tragedy Kayla Curry Period 2
ReplyDeleteIn act 5 scene 1, Lady Macbeth seems to be having some psychological issues. She is constantly sleepwalking and seems to be preoccupied in thought about the murders that she helped her husband plan and commit. What is ironic about this situation is that Lady Macbeth was the character in this play that came up with everything and was so calm about all of the gory, disgusting things her and her husband were doing. Lady Macbeth was the one who would egg it on as if they are not committing terrible crimes. The lady that has been watching her claims that she has been acting this way since her husband went to the field. Her conscious is deteriorating slowly but surely. Macbeth felt this way since before he killed his cousin King Duncan. Now her wrongdoings are catching up with her and she cannot take it. She has drastically changed since the beginning of the play. She was very calm and collected, and now she cannot control her sleep because she is so out of it. I think this change does relate to the theme of ambition to the play because if you want something bad enough, and will do absolutely anything to get it, this can blur your mind and cause you to do bad things just because you want this more than anything. This is what has happened to Lady Macbeth and Macbeth. I differ from Lady Macbeth because I wouldn’t do something like that.
I agree that its incredibly ironic how deeply Lady Macbeth is affected by the happenings of the play when she herself was a major catalyst to Macbeths decisions.
DeleteRachel Matsumura (2) – King and Country
ReplyDeleteThe rebels describe Macbeth’s rule as a plague that is devouring their country: “Meet we the medicine of the sickly weal, and with him pour we in our country’s purge, each drop of us.” 5.2.27-29. This metaphor is extremely effective, in that an illness or ache can cause us to feel weak in both body and mind. These conditions can “help” us to make the wrong decisions or do things we wouldn’t normally do (the same of which can be said for excess of most emotions). Macbeth, instead of simply exhibiting traits of the plague, has become it and continues to contribute to it. He lacks honor and is withdrawing from everyone (meaning the fleeing of earlier characters could be interpreted as escaping infection). Using metaphor in this manner serves to highlight Malcolm, Macduff, and the other rebels as honorable and just. Classifying them as “medicine” to purge the country of evil can relate to the idea that the “bad” in society never fully goes away- therefore new medicines must continuously be developed.
The metaphor says that good kingship is the opposite of Macbeth: patience and utmost respect for his/her subjects are important characteristics that he lacks. Charisma and honesty are another combination of qualities a good leader should possess, and Macbeth is shown to have little to none. Intelligence and open-mindedness, as well as ambition (positive) and the ability to inspire others (hopes, success, positivity etc.) are all parts of being a good leader. Macbeth’s continued return to the supernatural and fate, and his interpretations of the prophecy in Act IV represent his close-mindedness, and the way he sought power did nothing to inspire others and was an example of negative ambition.
Varsha Kulasekarapandian (2)- The Trouble with Tragedy
ReplyDeleteAs it was discussed in previous journals, detachment is often a method to distance one’s self from things they feel guilty of. I feel I was wrong in judging Lady Macbeth, although she can more easily bend her moral I don’t believe that she had no morals. Lady Macbeth is clearly overwhelmed by what she has started. She’s sleepwalking which is considered a very “unnatural” matter. The way her body is reacting from the stress/unraveling of her mind and her senses are being affected, the way her eyes are open but she cannot see. This could be metaphorical to the way her morality has faded and her ambitions have become dysfunctional as well. Its obvious Lady Macbeth bit off more than she could chew and is now struggling to live with the consequences of her actions. I think it was very clear from the beginning of the play that she would eventually explode, as we discussed in class that detaching herself and bottling up her emotions would inevitably lead to her demise.
Hannah Cooper(1)
DeleteI definitely agree that Lady Macbeth is overwhelmed by the chain of events that she has started. I think that it all started to pile up until she couldn't handle it anymore. I like the metaphor that relates to her morality fading, it is a very interesting way to look at it
Hannah Cooper(1)-The Trouble With Tragedy
ReplyDeleteIn scene one of act five, Lady Macbeth is sleepwalking and sleep-talking. A gentlewoman has approached a doctor concerned with Lady Macbeth's strange behavior. Lady Macbeth sleepwalks into the room with the doctor as he is talking to the gentlewoman. The doctor thinks it is strange that Lady Macbeth is carrying a candle. She is also rubbing her hands together as if she is washing her hands. The gentlewoman says "It is an accustomed action with her to seem thus washing her hands." Act 5 scene 1 lines 24&25. I think that she mimics the action of washing hands as if she committed murder and her hands were bloody. Lady Macbeth also says " What need we fer who knows it, when none can call our power to account?" Act 5 Scene 1 lines 32&33.
I think that Lady Macbeth is feeling so troubled because all of the guilt has built up inside of her and it has caused her to lose her mind. Consciously, Lady Macbeth may be able to control herself, but while she is sleeping, the truth comes out. She even says to herself. "Look not so pale--I tell you yet again, Banquo's buried." Act 5 Scene 1 lines 52&53. This shows that she is thinking about the murder of Banquo. The new character of Lady Macbeth is very different from Lady Macbeth in the beginning of the play. She used to be the one that could hold their ground and stay strong when discussing sensitive topics such as murder. Where as now, subconsciously the topic of murder is driving her crazy. Macbeth used to be a "coward" in her eyes because he felt sorry and was bothered by the blood on his hands. Now, the guilt has obviously taken control of Lady Macbeth, and Macbeth is the more power-driven one that can look past the guilt. This change relates to the theme of ambition in the sense that ambition causes corruption. Lady Macbeth started the play strong and ambitious and ended it delirious from guilt. Macbeth on the other hand started the play feeling guilty for committing murder and ended it wanting more and to secure more power. I think that I differ from Lady Macbeth in the sense that I could never see myself driving someone to do evil things for my own personal gain. I would never want to harm anyone and I also would not be able to put on such a good show and hide my guilt.
Gordon Ma - 6th
DeleteI agree with you, perhaps Lady Macbeth's had those insecurities all along, just they never came out until the guilt stripped her of her "outer walls"
Monica Ramirez (period 6) King and Country
ReplyDeleteMacbeth is not one of the best kings that Scotland has had. He lacks in the qualities of a good ruler. He cares more about himself rather than his country. Macbeth has spend most of his ruling worrying about having his titled removed rather than how his people are doing. In act 5 scene 2 , Shakespeare describes the country as sick and in need of medicine. Yes the country is corrupting little by little along with Macbeth. Macbeth is a cruel ruler who lacks in honesty and solves everything with violence. He should worry less about when his titled is going to be taken away from him and more about how to make his country a better place, are his people in good condition? Are their any bigger issues that need to be solve for the better of his kingdom than himself? When many rulers become ruler they let all this power get to their head that they forget who they are and how a leader should lead by example.
I agree with your ending sentence that Macbeth is similar to today's rulers who often end up power hungry rather than helpful.
Deleteyes I totally agree
DeleteElizabeth Vicario, pd. 2- The Trouble With Tragedy
ReplyDeleteLady Macbeth seems to have come full circle, now; she has grown from a potentially dangerous vixen relinquishing her femininity to a guilt-ridden apparition kept half-awake by her shame. She and her husband have had an interesting dynamic throughout the play; as she grows less important to the storyline, he grows more power hungry. She was once convincing him to do the things she felt were necessary for the crown, but now he kills or sentences to death without a thought of reluctance or hesitation. Lady Macbeth's wanderings and sleep-walking may be the result of her lack of control over the situation and her disgust with her husband's newly found independence, but most likely these are the effects of a guilt-ridden conscience.
The idea of murder is unimaginable to us, and much less the idea of murdering a king, cousin and friend all in one. It's hard to relate to her insanity for this reason, but I occasionally feel her pain and confusion after I do something I shouldn't. It comes with extreme paranoia, like Macbeth, and the inability to sleep or concentrate on the problems at hand. If I have a sleepless night after failing a math test, I can only imagine the sleepless years ahead of the murderers of King Duncan.
I think you brought in a really interesting perspective. I never would've thought that her mental issues may have developed from her lack of control but that makes a lot of sense.
DeleteAlex Miller 2nd Period The Trouble With Tragedy
ReplyDeleteIn the beginning of Act 5 Scene 1 Lady Macbeth began to sleepwalk so much that her servant hired a doctor to come and watch her. She wandered the house with a candle and tried to get the "blood stains" off of her hands which wouldn't come off no matter how hard she tried. It is evident that Lady Macbeth's contribution to the murder of Duncan began to affect her mental health. She seemed to be the one who pushed Macbeth to commit the act in the first place and she seemed to handle it just fine in the earlier acts. It appears that Lady Macbeth was hiding her true feelings because eventually she couldn't take the guilt anymore and she killed herself. The change of Lady Macbeth's view on what had happened applies to the theme of ambition because it shows that ambition can blind you and make you do things that you wouldn't normally do in order to get what you want. I differ from Lady Macbeth in the way that if I make a choice to do something even if it ends up harming me in the end I don't regret it because that's what I wanted in that moment.
Erin Eichenberger, p6- It's interesting to note how completely Lady Macbeth and Macbeth have traded roles by the end of the play. Especially in the attempt to wash her hands, as you noted, Lady Macbeth's actions reflect Macbeth's dismay at his hands which "All great Neptune's ocean" could not wash free of blood (Act II, Scene II.)
DeleteErin Eichenberger, p6- King and Country
ReplyDeleteCaithness likens the marching army of England and Malcolm to a medicine “of the sickly weal,” Macbeth's kingdom (Act 5, Scene II.) Macbeth's ascent to power was accompanied by many strange happenings, such as a falcon being killed by a hunting owl and Duncan's horses running wild. Macbeth himself suffered from delusions like the appearance of Banquo's ghost in Act III. Caithness' metaphor is apt because is addresses a sickness in both the kingdom and Macbeth himself.
Macbeth's greatest downfall as king is that he pursued the title with only his own interests in mind. His selfishness allowed the kingdom to be neglected and to fall ill. He prioritized his own job security over the safety of his people and kingdom- particularly evident in Act V Scene V when Macbeth allows the English to march on the castle and disregards the fears and screams of defenseless women. Malcom describes some of the virtues of a king, “Temperance, stableness, [...] mercy, lowliness,devotion, patience courage, fortitude,” which emphasize a consciousness and care for others that Macbeth lacks in his charge to power. When Macbeth is obsessed with himself he cannot care for his ailing kingdom (and suffers an ailing mind,) making him unfit to rule.
Keara Klinge - 1st period
DeleteI definitely agree with you in that Macbeth is too selfish to ever lead a country. He seems more preoccupied with killing everyone who might possibly disagree with him than with actually doing anything to help his people. It makes me wonder why he even wanted to be king in the first place, since he doesn't seem at all prepared to take on any kingly responsibilities.
I like how you pinned his downfall to his selfishness. Its a different perspective to the theme of ambition and greed that we've discussed so heavily.
DeleteErin Eichenberger, p6- I really like what you said- "While she was able to easily tell someone to wash the physical blood from their hands, she now finds herself incapable of removing a spiritual blood from hers." Very cleanly put. I wonder why she was so able to remove herself from the reality of the situation in the beginning? Did she personally see a line that was crossed by Macbeth as he killed more and more people, or would she have eventually begun to suffer even if Duncan's murder was the only one?
ReplyDeleteGordon Ma (6th) – The Trouble with Tragedy
ReplyDeleteLady Macbeth is really no longer the person she once was at the beginning of the play. She’s broken down, and her sleepwalking is just one symptom of this. She tries valiantly to get at a “damned spot” on her hand: “Out, damned spot! Out, I say!—One, two. Why, then, ’tis time to do ’t. Hell is murky!—Fie, my lord, fie! A soldier, and afeard?...” What’s become apparent is that the steadfast, ambitious Lady Macbeth that we once knew is only a shell of a figure now, having undergone so much trauma that it’s almost as if she has a mental illness. Even the doctor says that he can’t cure her, she’d probably need a priest to do that. Her illness is a result of unchecked ambition, meaning that she never thought through the consequences of her actions. Of course this happens to the best of us, and it’s a good reminder to “look before you leap”.
Keara Klinge - 1st period
DeleteI agree that Lady Macbeth has changed but I think her change is more in the sense of her subconscious coming to terms with her true feelings and less in the type of person she is. I like the description of her as a shell though; she has indeed gone through a lot of trauma even though she inflicted it upon herself.
I think the changes are more guilt or conscience getting the best of her as she breaks down, rather than trauma of the past four acts. Keara is right, that she has inflicted most of it upon herself, which i guess sets up the ironic death scene. She has inflicted so much guilt and trauma on herself and then she finishes it by taking her life.
DeleteGordon Ma 6th
ReplyDeleteI think this also shows that you can never keep pent up emotions in you for too long. It's important to talk about issues which you might not always be comfortable talking about, for example. Many people become depressed in the same way that Lady Macbeth has lost her sanity.
Dylan Kruesi (Period 1) – King and Country
ReplyDeleteThis metaphor works because when you consider a country as a whole it is generally only as strong as its leader or leaders. In Macbeth’s case, he has become so selfish that he has lost any ability that he could’ve had to lead a country. Since he has deliberately ignored the well-being of his people and country as a whole to deal with personal problems, the country resembles that of one with absolutely no leader. This transformation began when Macbeth gained control, but the situation within the country goes in a downward spiral as Macbeth begins to fail as an individual. Macbeth was so blinded by power that he couldn’t even see what he was doing to his country. His only ambitions were to gain power and sustain it, he never actually cared about being a respected and successful leader which is why the country suffered greatly under his rule.
Yes, I agree. He never thought about leading the country, just himself to his goals.
DeleteKeara Klinge - 1st period - The Trouble with Tragedy
ReplyDeleteIn Act 5, scene 1, we see the Doctor and a gentlewoman observing Lady Macbeth's troubled sleepwalking habit she seems to have developed. She is wracked with guilt and paranoia over the crimes she and her husband have committed and the lives they have taken. She says, "The thane of Fife had a wife. Where is she now?—What, will these hands ne'er be clean?" This is her way of expressing guilt over the assassination of Lady Macduff, and her speech about the spots in her hand is about how she fears the blood she has spilled will never disappear from her conscience. Her struggles with emotion from Act 1 reappear now, even though she is not conscious. Her awake self may not be aware of why she feels so awful, but her sleeping form willfully confesses not only the crimes she is associated with but also her true feelings. Her ambition served nobody well in the end, even herself - so it is reasonable to say that ambition is portrayed in a negative light in the context of Macbeth.
I'm different from Lady Macbeth in that I would never kill someone nor take something as ridiculous as a prophecy so seriously.
Well said. Also good lines to quote in order to show Lady Macbeth's state.
DeleteI agree that she later on realize her mistakes.
DeleteHer unconscious expression of guilt reminds me of Freud's beliefs about psychological disorders--her guilt is manifesting itself in an unconscious way that her conscious self is completely unaware of, but when her guilt gets to be too much to bear, it starts to seep into her conscious mind, causing her downfall.
DeleteBrennan Lewis (6th) - King and Country
ReplyDeleteIn Act V, Scene 2, Caithness says "Meet we the med'cine of the sickly weal" (Line 27), referring to how Malcolm will be the savior of his country by killing Macbeth and taking the throne. The group believes that Macbeth cannot handle the duties of kingship and Scotland, in turn, is falling apart around him. Angus refers to Macbeth's failing kingship as "...hang[ing] loose about him, like a giant's robe upon a dwarfish thief" (Lines 20-22). The king of a country is what holds the surrounding lands and people together, and without a strong king the country falls apart. Though the united country is able to stand as one and fight off enemies, the potential power of the whole is inaccessible to a weak or corrupt ruler. Additionally, the sickness of the land correlates to the sickness of Macbeth's mind as he deteriorates into a murderer.
I agree with you, that a country is united under its leader. As the Scottish see the tyranny in which they live under, with Macbeth as king, they begin to speak poorly of their king, and call him for what he really is.
DeleteJustin Magin (1st pd)- The Trouble with Tragedy
ReplyDeleteIn Scene I of Act V, Lady Macbeth seems to begin to lose her mind. She starts sleeping walking and while she does so she holds a candle. Her mental state is definitely in question at this point. She begins to mutter about the murders that she has partaken in. She is now the one that is hallucinating blood on her hands and says that nothing could wash it off. This is ironic because earlier in the play when Macbeth had blood on his hands from killing Duncan, she merely told him a little water would wash his hands clean. She is so troubled because she has started to feel guilty and the pressure of many murders on her conscience. She changed from earlier, when she was convincing Macbeth that the murders were not a huge problem and that killing someone did not darken the soul. This follows the theme of ambition because Lady Macbeth comes to realize that ambition has a very dark side, when used for sin.
(2nd Period)
DeleteI agree that Lady Macbeth's insanity regarding the bloodstain is ironic. In the beginning of the play she was far more confident than Macbeth, but now she has started to crack under the pressure.
Helen Foyle—Period 6—Fit to be King?
ReplyDeleteIn Act 5, Scene 2, two Scottish rebels converse in reference to Macbeth: “He cannot buckle his distempered cause / Within the belt of rule.” (5.2.15-16) They continue later stating, “ Now does he feel his title / Hang loose about him, like a giant’s robe / Upon a dwarfish thief.” (5.2.20-22) The rebels are comparing Macbeth’s grasp of his kingly title to an inability to buckle a belt around himself. Macbeth will not, by the power vested in what is good in the world, be able to wrap the belt of royalty around his ambitious scheme, so bloodied and bloated with gluttony for power. The comparison of his robes being like those of a giant blanketing the body of a dwarf indicate that this kingly title was never intended for him. He will not fit into the fine garments that were crafted for great and honorable kings (giant-like in their strong virtues).
Distemper is commonly defined as an infectious disease similar, if not the exact same, to rabies in its effects. While also defined as political disorder or disturbance, I think comparing Macbeth to a crazed and immoralized dog is more accurate. He is living without moral restriction, paranoid and fearful of all who could harm him, just as a rabid animal charges ruthlessly at all that moves.
This metaphor is extremely effective in its ability to characterize Macbeth as deranged and unfit for kingship. A good leader is one who, first of all, is not insane. Good leaders must have gained the title held through just means, not through thievery or deception. Good leaders must not become intoxicated with power or ruled by selfish desires. Good leaders live and guide solely for sake of those who look to them for leadership.
I thought your comparison of Macbeth to a dog with rabies was very interesting. His behavior made me wonder if perhaps he suffered from a minor mental illness as a result of guilt from his wrongdoings.
DeleteHeavenlee Burt (6th) - The Trouble with Tragedy
ReplyDeleteLady Macbeth is reaping what she sow’s. Her guilt is eating her alive and is quickly deteriorating her mind into insanity. She has blood on her hand. She has not murdered but she convinces Macbeth of the first murder, King Duncan, and it spiral the rest. Lady Macbeth and Macbeth switched tolls here actually. At first Lady Macbeth was extremely cold towards murder except the part of the king looking like a family member so she couldn’t kill him but other than that she didn’t give a second thought to the one death that stood in between her and the throne. Now she is an emotional wreck because she knows of many of the murders that have transpired and even helped cause them but she must maintain decorum that is fitting of a queen and keep everything to herself so she can stew over it. It is clear the death of the king is still troubling her dearly “"Yet who would have thought the old man o have had so much blood in him?”. Her ambition has lead her to this point and ties perfectly with the theme of the story. Lady Macbeth is way more ambitious than me and willing to kill for what she wants. She’s also insane and by clinical definitions I am not. Lady Macbeth hides behind a mask of her true womanly personality and we finally see that when she’s seen sleepwalking.
I'm happy you pointed out that her womanly personality is seen when she's sleepwalking.
DeleteJustin Ledinh-6th-The Trouble with Tragedy
ReplyDeleteLady Macbeth in act 5 is seen sleepwalking and talking in her sleep, which in that time was seen as supernatural events that were like curses. What has occurred is that Lady Macbeth's ambition has gotten the worst of her, and she has build up anxiety that results in her spewing words of fear such as "All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand.", showing she has become terrified with the murder she has committed. This is different from the Lady Macbeth we had seen in the beginning of the play, who seemed to be unafraid of any consequences that may result from the murder. We can see that in a way, her ambition has cause her to go so insane that even for the doctor, "This disease is beyond my practice." Ambition is a very strong emotion, and it can lead to the breakdown of morals. I am different from Lady Macbeth however, because I don't actually sleepwalk, just sleep talk.
(2nd Period)
DeleteI agree with your analysis that Lady Macbeth's accumulation of anxiety is what caused her to go insane. She seemed to have no regrets at first but now we see that she's just been keeping her guilt pent-up inside.
Lady Macbeth has been holding in all of her emotions, and now she has exploded and is acting extremely paranoid and scared, much unlike how well composed she was at the beginning of the novel. nice job, justin
DeleteI agree with what you say about how she initially was in the play. She seemed to understand the type of situation she was in until this scene.
DeleteI think that this is kind of a parallel to what happened to Macbeth in terms of the guilt and the haunting. It shows that the consequences for ambition reach everyone, no matter how strong they think they are.
ReplyDeleteVickie Wang (2nd Period) - The Trouble with Tragedy
ReplyDeleteIn Act 5 Scene 1, Lady Macbeth is watched by a doctor and one of her ladies-in-waiting as she sleepwalks. According to her lady-in-waiting, every night Lady Macbeth performs many tasks that normally she should do while awake: getting dressed, writing a letter, and talking. As they watch, Lady Macbeth tries to wash her hands, "an accustomed action with her (5.1.30)", and speaks of bloodstains. The blood she imagines staining her hands will not come out no matter how much she tries to wash them, symbolizing how her regret over Duncan's murder--and all the murders after--continues to haunt her.
At the beginning of the play, she was far more ruthless than her husband, encouraging him to murder Duncan to become King. She even insulted Macbeth's manhood when he hesitated to commit the murder, and manipulated him into going through with the act. She and Macbeth were both ambitious, yet when faced with the price of their ambition, Lady Macbeth has descended into madness driven by guilt, whereas Macbeth has become even more greedy.
This change in Lady Macbeth's psyche demonstrates the play's theme that too much ambition can lead to tragedy. Although I am similar to Lady Macbeth in that I am ambitious and rarely express deep emotions except subconsciously, I make decisions to achieve my goals not only with myself in mind, but also the good of those around me. Therefore, there are few actions I have taken that I regret to such an extent as Lady Macbeth.
I was very surprised when Lady Macbeth showed guilt, because she appeared, at the beginning of the play, to be sociopathic. Between her manipulation of Macbeth and her seemingly blasé attitude toward the murders, she seemed as if she did not feel emotions the way that most people do.
DeleteElijah Bader(2nd)-The Trouble with Tragedy
ReplyDeleteLady Macbeth begins to develop psychological issues like Macbeth. She is sleepwalking. When Gentlewoman says “Ay, but their sense is shut” we know she is sleepwalking. The gentlewoman is saying although her eyes are open they sense nothing. Lady Macbeth also hallucinates. Lady Macbeth says
“Out, damned spot! out, I say!--One: two: why, then, 'tis time to do't.--Hell is murky!--Fie, my lord, fie! a soldier, and afeard? What need we fear who knows it, when none can call our power to account?--Yet who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him.” Because she thinks there is blood on her hands, but she can’t wash it off, this can be considered an allusion because she fueled Macbeth’s killings, so their blood is on her hands.
At the begging of the play she is tuff and isn’t fazed by killing. Now she is weak and cannot control herself. She probably has regrets and is uneasy about watching and contributing to all the murders.
I think you can relate her change to the theme of ambition. Her mind has become corrupt just has her ambitions have corrupted the throne and Macbeth.
I try to check myself and make sure I am sticking to my morals; Whereas, Lady Macbeth never looks back on her morals.
I agree with your comment on how weak Lady Macbeth has become compared to how she was initially introduced as.
DeleteDiu Rahlan(p.6)- The Trouble with Tragedy
ReplyDeleteIn Scene 1, Lady Macbeth is sleepwalking and she seem to see this blood on her hand of the murder of Lady Macduff and Banquo and keep saying that the blood won't wash off. In the beginning of the play, Lady Macbeth was seen as this strong, controlling, violent, and careless person who want things to be done quickly. But at the end of the play she was seen as this weak person who is afraid and is not strong as she was before. Yes, Lady Macbeth is all talk but no actions and she does not stand for what she said and later committed suicides.
I think people do not realize the things they have done until later on they regret it and wish they could take it all back. What has been done cannot be undone.
In Act 5, scene 2, Malcolm and the Scottish rebels are returning to Scotland to remove Macbeth from the throne. The line in the scene: “Now does he feel his title hang loose about him, like a giant’s robe upon a dwarfish thief.” Is a metaphor used by the rebels to describe the King, now tyrant, Macbeth. The metaphor means that he is too small and weak to be a proper king. Like a dwarf trying to wear a giant’s robe, Macbeth is a puny leader incapable of large responsibility, and this shows that he was never really meant to become king. He could never fit into clothes suited for the leaders of giant/ strong morals.
ReplyDeleteThis metaphor is effective in getting across the message that Macbeth is unfit for the title of leader. A good leader is one who understands how to make the right choices. He is someone who has a thorough understanding of the line between moral and immoral. Also, a good leader should rule because they understand the duty and the role that they are playing as what is essentially the supreme manager of all the people, not someone who wants to rule for selfish desires or power.
(1st period) I like your definition of a good leader. Obviously Macbeth isn't one since he only rules for his own selfish desires.
DeleteMorgan Coyle (2nd)—The Trouble with Tragedy
ReplyDeleteIn the first scene of Act 5, Lady Macbeth is sleepwalking and muttering to herself about the murders and how her hands will never be clean of the blood that her and her husband spilled. This is a bit strange considering how cold and remorseless Lady Macbeth seemed at the beginning of the play, but guilt can be insidious. Although Lady Macbeth is obviously ambitious, as we saw in Act 1, she is not as ruthless as she appeared in the beginning of the play—her ambition appears to have turned her into something she wasn’t.
In terms of how I differ from Lady Macbeth, that is a difficult question to answer—I do not believe I have anything in common with her, but I am also extremely biased. This question would most likely be better answered by someone who knows me, but isn’t me, because they see who I am while I see who I want to be.
(1st period) I think it's hard to really understand if we differ from Lady Macbeth as well. We do tend to be biased towards ourselves.
DeleteKadijah Holder (1st period) - The Trouble With Tragedy
ReplyDeleteIn scene 1, Lady Macbeth is dealing with the guilt of her murderous ways. Lady Macbeth is sleep walking and talking, she says, “Out, damned spot! out, I say!” referring to the blood of the King Duncan. Then she continues to speak about the murder of Lady Macduff, “The thane of Fife had a wife: where is she now?-- What, will these hands ne'er be clean?” she knows that she has killed many people and she can’t take that back. The Doctor and Gentlewoman are both watching her intriguingly. This has became a routine for Lady Macbeth: rise from her bed, put on her night gown, unlock the closet, take out a paper, fold it, write it, read it, seal it, and then go back to sleep. She is troubled because she is haunted by her sins.She has drastically changed since the beginning of the play. At first, she was very cold, evil, and manipulative. She didn’t care what she had to do in order to for Macbeth to become king. Now, she is regretting the things she’s done, she’s not as strong as she was at the beginning of the play. Her change doesn’t exactly relate to the theme anymore. She’s doesn’t necessarily have to be ambitious anymore since she has already achieved her goals. I differ from Lady Macbeth because I don’t have to regret the things I’ve done, and if I do (which is rarely) then I don’t necessarily have dreams all about it
I agree with you, I generally don't have any regrets for the things I've done.
Delete- King and Country
ReplyDeleteA king can barely be identified as a leader of a country, somewhat like how we would view a president. Any decision that either of these two characters make can or will potentially affect the entire country, that being said these people must take very cautious steps as to what they do. The metaphor "The country is sick and is in need of medicine" can be seen as a way to see the situation. The country never became "sick" until Macbeth took the throne, meaning that Macbeth could also be the thing that's corrupting the country, being that he is the current King. Meaning that Macbeth is the "Plague" so to speak. Being King is also a very risky position to be in, anything that you do will effect the entire country (as I'm sure I stated before). The King is "Nucleus" the country being the "body" and the people being the "cells" in a way; if the nucleus fails to do its job, or rather do it correctly, the entire system fails and becomes sick.
Angel Johnson (6) The Trouble with Tragedy
ReplyDeleteIn scene 1 the guilt has began to take a toll on Lady Macbeth. She no longer appears to be as strong as she once was in the first few acts. She begins to regret her decision to kill King Duncan. It’s hinted in some of the previous acts that the guilt is beginning to affect her. When Lady MAcbeth is introduced she is a prideful and manipulative women but after Duncan's death she seems to be weak and her syntax begins to change .
Her sudden change has a lot to do with the theme of ambition. As discussed in the seminar you can’t have too much ambition and still maintain a sense of dignity. She wanted to the throne so bad she lost all humanity which lead to her tragic death.
In Scene 1, it shows Lady Macbeth sleepwalking while the housekeeper and doctor look at her. In the scene, it shows how Lady Macbeth, who usually appears calm throughout the play, has been having mental problems thinking her hands are still stained with the blood from Duncan. She washes her hands rigorously while the doctor mentions she she has a problem. This scene expresses the guilt that Lady Macbeth has been carrying ever since Duncan died. Initially, she was confident and was the one who pushed Macbeth to perform certain actions. Now, she seems frail and tries to push her problems onto other people such as the guards. This shows how dangerous the theme of the play,ambition, is. I differ from Lady Macbeth because I do not aim to have total control over something. Control isn't the solution toward power unless those who you control, decides to obey and cooperate you and look at you as someone respectable.
ReplyDeleteBettylenah Njaramba - Period 2 - The Trouble with Tragedy
ReplyDeleteLady Macbeth shows characteristics of a tragic hero in her own right within this scene. The hubris, manipulative, power hungry spirit that she once had has now been overcome with guilt. The reality of her deadly actions have finally set in and she suffers from sleepwalking. She emphasizes the blood on her hands. The theme of ambition is yet again reflected, but in a negative light. Lady Macbeth's ambition led to her downfall.
Personally, I consider myself ambitious. However, my morals and values come first in any decision I make in life. I think everyone should be able to accomplish their dreams without having to sacrifice on their beliefs. In Macbeth, most characters are willing to do whatever it takes to achieve their goals despite the consequences.
Lady macbeth is sleep walking in the beginning of Act 5 Line 4-9 we will hear the doctor talk about Lady Macbeth to the gentle women and voice his consciences about her state. As I read the play I notice that Lady Macbeth talks while she sleep walks when she in this state she unaware of what she’s saying line 53-55 shows the guilt she feels even when she’s not in her right state of mind. this also shows the softer side of Lady Macbeth; however, as we look back throughout the play we know that Lady Macbeth was a strong ambitious women who showed no sign of guilt. she is obviously affected by her choices she had made scene 2 line 71 “ what’s done cannot be undone “ for the first time we see Lady Macbeth emotional side and her sense of regrets, like Leslie said she tried her hardest to emotionally detach from what she has done even though she knows it’s wrong.
ReplyDeleteJulio Derteano- king and country
ReplyDeleteperiod 1
Regardless of government, the leader should always be a reflections of what he rules and what he rules should also be a reflection of him. Once MacBeth receives leadership over Scotland he had already become a darken man, due to his actions. Scotland ends up becoming darken as MacBeth continues to do dark deeds to keep his power safe. The state of mind of MacBeth is parallel with the state of Scotland, thus resembling the monarch that the land possesses.
Meredyth Albright – 2nd Period – The Trouble With Tragedy
ReplyDeleteLady Macbeth is going crazy, just like her husband. She feels responsible for the murder of Duncan, even to the point where she sleepwalks and sleep talks. She feels as though she cannot wash King Duncan’s blood off of her hands. “Out, damned spot! Out, I say!...Yet who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him.” (Act 5 Scene 1 Lines 31-36) Although at the beginning of the play, she was confident and her ambition made up for her insecurities where her morals fell short, now she is realizing the error of her ways. She is afraid of the dark and has a candle perpetually lit by her bed, which she takes with her wherever she goes. Her maidservant and the doctor discuss her physical problems. “You see her eyes are open. Ay, but their sense are shut.” (Act Five Scene 1 Lines 22-23) This is very different than the Lady Macbeth seen at the beginning of the play, which goes to show how even though some actions go left unpaid for, internal moral consequences can eat at a person on the inside, all because of the pursuit of selfishly ambitious desires. I differ from Lady Macbeth because it is easy for me to convince myself that something I am doing is correct. Also, I never would have convinced my husband to murder King Duncan in the first place, under the circumstances.