...the sentiments behind William Shakespeare's play, Macbeth. Shakespeare was a poet as well as a playwright, famous for his powerful poetic language, universal themes, and keen insight into human behavior. His works dealt with the consequences and the psychological effects of certain actions, rather than the actions themselves. His effective use of figurative language, and unique writing style in Macbeth, as well as his other works, instantly captivates and mesmerizes the reader. Macbeth is a powerful drama about unchecked ambition, murder, intricate human relationships, and corruption of the human conscience. The play, set in 11th century Scotland and England, is composed of various acts and scenes, each greatly contributing to the overall plot and the play's varied themes. This is the inciting incident of the witches' prophecies in Act I Scene iii that puts the whole play into action. It is an extremely important and a very complex scene involving the Weird Sisters, Macbeth and Banquo, holding the key to future incidents and actions in the play, leading right upto the climax. This scene is pivotal in the overall development of the play- getting the characters geared up, and setting the stage for depraved thoughts and terrible actions to come. "The charm's wound up"(37) when the protagonist, Macbeth, first arrives on the scene with his friend Banquo. Upto this point, the reader does not know much about the character of Macbeth aside from the fact that he is said to be a brave...
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...women in a negative light compared to their male counterparts. In the typical novel, short story, or poem, the female is always the foil of the man who is usually the protagonist or hero in some way; she is perceived as either being weak and fragile, violent, and viciously brutal, or she just does not fit society’s image of the perfect woman. Examples of the negative portrayal can be seen in literature such as Kate Chopin’s The Awakening, in which Edna is a weak and conforming wife having an affair with another man; William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, in which Lady Macbeth is an evil, conniving woman who degrades her husband by questioning his strength and masculinity; and Ernest Gaines’ A Lesson Before Dying, in which Vivian Baptiste cannot seem to simultaneously satisfy her family, her ex-husband, her boyfriend, Tante Lou, or Tante Lou’s friends while staying true to her religion, even though Grant has none at all. Through imagery, tone, and figurative...
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...corrupt even the most descent man. This is shown in Shakespeare’s tragedy “Macbeth” where the respected Scottish Thane Macbeth is corrupted by power and guilt and turned into a tyrant and a mass murderer. This theme was as relevant the day it was written, as today when we watch it as a movie in the 21th century. While the movie “Macbeth” by Michael Fassbender is a breath of fresh air for the Shakespeare admirers and the traditional movie and theater lovers, those who are not familiar with Shakespeare’s style, might find the movie slightly dull and protracted. Though the long monologues and the Shakespeare talk provide satisfaction among those who understand and appreciate the genre, it can be a long and boring affair for those who are not familiar with it. So getting some basic knowledge of the Shakespeare genre is therefore highly recommended before you watch the movie. Although the trailer shows us montages that could have been taken straight out of “Braveheart”, the movie itself is nothing like that. Judging by the trailer, one might be fooled to believe that “Macbeth” is your typical Hollywood action genre. This was what I feared, but fortunately, the director Justin Kurzel manages to deliver a beautiful and well written movie with all the aspects that are characterized from a Shakespeare play. With its long and dramatic monologues, a beautiful figurative usage of language and its dramatic acting, “Macbeth” was like watching a theater while standing among the actors, which is...
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...3 scene 2 of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Macbeth addresses the threats to his kingship then further explains his plan for action to Lady Macbeth. Although, in this excerpt, Macbeth expresses his fears to suggest that the threats to the kingship are “[the] frames [that] disjoint [and that] both of the world[s] [that are] suffering” (Line 2). Utilizing connotative diction, figurative language, and death imagery, Shakespeare reveals Macbeth’s deep desires, but also suggests a fear that he has to remain in power as king. In the beginning of the excerpt, Macbeth reveals that there might be a threat to his kingship because the “prophecy” that the witches made up is coming true. Therefore, Macbeth declares his plan to...
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...both images and symbols evoke pictures, they are not exactly the same. An image is a picture which appeals to the five senses in order to create an emotional reaction; a symbol represents or stands for an idea, a concrete object or a person. Image Symbol Blood Imagery in Macbeth Remembrance Day Poppy The countless blood images such as " It will have blood, they say. Blood will have blood. "(III. iv. 122) appeal to senses of sight, taste, touch and smell. In this play, blood imagery creates a series of sickening pictures that we associate with the usurper, Macbeth. Shakespeare's use of one blood image after the other -- about 26 times in this short play – creates the atmosphere of gory death by invoking our emotional response to it. While the colour of this flower might have some association with the blood shed during battle, it's actually a symbol of those who sacrificed their lives during war in service of our country. Thus, it stands for the concept of sacrifice Literal and Figurative Imagery Let's discuss imagery a little further. Images may be either literal or figurative. Literal imagery creates a mental impression through the use of language that appeals directly to the senses by describing a thing, a person, a feeling or an experience. This poem by Canadian Raymond Souster demonstrates the use of literal imagery: I Wanted To Smash I wanted to smash something, anything against their dull, stupid faces, but then...
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...Literature 1 October 2013 MacBeth Research William Shakespeare, the creator of the tragic story “MacBeth” uses a diverse set of allusions symbols, and figurative language examples throughout the work to enhance the different themes that are throughout the play. In, “MacBeth” there is many themes that are directed, one would be tragedy, and also, tyranny. From beginning to end, Shakespeare develops the meaning of the work by taking the reader through different scenarios and tossing allusions into the piece that help the plot and central theme of the story reveal. The world calls “MacBeth” one of Shakespeare’s grand plays and have been recognized internationally, the play contains symbols like blood, to further identify the massacres and the murders that MacBeth has been continuing to commit throughout the play. The meaning of the work is developed more intensely with this symbol because blood is viewed as gory and horror, and that is what the play eventually moves to. Moving into the act 2, while the tragic hero Macbeth suffers from a flaw that has been growing and growing immensely within himself, a personal and also a self-oriented error that is purely the fault and mistake of the character, Macbeth is now the victim of an external force. The external force is fate, a fate that has been introduced by the prophecy, supported by the weird and demanding sisters, and reinforced urgently by Lady Macbeth. The 3 Witches' prophecy that has been presented to Macbeth is that he shall become...
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...scheme -Use figurative language -“rhythmical creation of beauty” – Edgar Allan Poe a.Narrative Poetry -intends to tell a story - Usuallyrelates the events in an order of time ^Types^ 1.Epic –tells about the adventures of a traditional hero important to the history 2.Ballad –meant for singing &usually deals with subject such as love, honor or death 3.Metrical Romance- is a long rambling love story in revolving around knights, lords and their ladies 4.Metrical Tale –deals with any emotion or phrase of life & is often told in simple manner b.Lyric poetry - meant to be sung -focus on the writer’s feeling ^Types 1.Ode –most majestic type 2.Elegy –poetic lamentation for the dead 3.Sonnet –can be distinguished by its form for it always consist of 14 rhymed lines 4.Idyll –a descriptive poem of rural or pastoral character which expresses the poet’s feeling of his immediate landscape 5.Song –has a particular melodious quality 6.Simple Lyric –includes all those lyric poems that don’t belong under the other types c.Dramatic Poetry - focus on the characters feelings- designed to be spoken or acted on stage These are plays whose dialogues are written in the form of poetry1. Comedy –a dramatic play of light and humorous character w/ a cheerful or happy ending 2.Tragedy –portrays struggle of a strong –willed protagonist against fate Ex. 5 great Shakespearean Tragedies ~ Hamlet –indecision~ King Lear–parental love~ Macbeth –ambition~ ...
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...Quick List of Common Literary Terms Abstract Language—Language describing ideas and qualities rather than observable or specific things, people, or places. The observable or "physical" is usually described in concrete language. Allegory—A narrative or description having a second meaning beneath the surface one. A story, fictional or nonfictional, in which characters, things, and events represent qualities or concepts. The interaction of these characters, things, events is meant to reveal an abstraction or a truth. These characters, etc. may be symbolic of the ideas referred to. Alliteration—The repetition at close intervals of initial identical consonant sounds. Allusion—An indirect reference to something (usually a literary text) with which the reader is expected to be familiar. Allusions are usually literary, historical, Biblical, or mythological. Ambiguity—An event or situation that may be interpreted in more than one way. Also, the manner of expression of such an event or situation may be ambiguous. Artful language may be ambiguous. Unintentional ambiguity is usually vagueness. Anachronism—Assignment of something to a time when it was not in existence, e.g., the watch Merlyn wore in The Once and Future King. Analogy—An analogy is a comparison to a directly parallel case. When a writer uses an analogy, he or she argues that a claim reasonable for one case is reasonable for the analogous case. Anecdote—A brief recounting of a relevant episode. Anecdotes are...
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...William Shakespeare was perhaps the world’s greatest writer and playwright. In his lifetime he wrote 154 sonnets, two long narratives, and 38 plays, as well as several other smaller works. Some of his most famous plays include Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Macbeth, Othello, King Lear, Julius Caesar, Twelfth Night, The Taming of the Shrew, A Midsummer Night’s Dream Much Ado About Nothing, As You Like It, Richard III, Henry V, and King John (Wikipedia.org). According to Alchin, “He is the most widely read of all Authors and the popularity of the Life and Works of Shakespeare, in English speaking countries, is second only to the Bible” (William-shakespeare.info). Shakespeare continued to write up until his death in 1616. Interestingly, upon Shakespeare’s...
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... or a particular work, which we can recognize, identify, interpret and/or analyze. Both literary elements and literary techniques can rightly be called literary devices. Literary elements refers to aspects or characteristics of a whole text. They are not “used,” per se, by authors; we derive what they are from reading the text. Most literary elements can be derived from any and all texts; for example, every story has a theme, every story has a setting, every story has a conflict, every story is written from a particular point-of-view, etc. In order to be discussed legitimately, literary elements must be specifically identified for that text. Literary techniques refers to any specific, deliberate constructions of language which an author uses to convey meaning. An author’s use of a literary technique usually occurs with a single word or phrase, or a particular group of words or phrases, at one single point in a text. Unlike literary elements, literary techniques are not necessarily present in every text. Literary terms refers to the words themselves with which we identify and describe literary elements and techniques. They are not found in literature and they are not “used” by authors. Allegory: Where every aspect of a story is representative, usually symbolic, of something else, usually a larger abstract concept or important historical/geopolitical event. Lord of the Flies provides a compelling allegory...
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...© 2010 Steve Campsall Here's how to write your best essay ever... Whatever the essay you have been asked to write, the key to making it as effective as it can be is to write it as a wellstructured and well-supported argument. You will find that an ‘argument’ essay is easier to plan, more fulfilling to write and for your teacher (or the examiner)... a pleasure to mark (and that’s no bad thing!!). It’s important to get one thing out of the way at the outset: an essay question has no ‘right’ answer. You can breathe easy on that one. It’s just not like that. This is English and we leave those kinds of ‘right answers’ to the mathematicians and scientists. An English essay is not an ‘answer’ in that way at all, rather, it’s an informed opinion; but, like all opinions, it’ll require explanation, argument and support. It requires you to argue your case. What’s the first thing you do when you set about starting an essay? Many people start by searching through the text on which their essay is based in the hope of finding suitable quotations to help ‘answer’ the essay question. Well, there’s no getting away from this basic process, but there are ways to make it altogether more efficient, useful and most importantly, more likely to earn a higher grade. More on this later. The Argument Essay The secret of a good essay? Write it as an argument for what you believe! What is there to argue about? Plenty! You’ll be arguing to support your point of view on the essay question - one that you’ve...
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...Although there are many minor instances of symbolism in the story, the major instances, the storm, the tree, and the wolves are all significant pieces of the story in their literal meanings as well as their figurative meanings. The storm let out a “fierce shriek” and the tree followed letting out a “splitting crash” and a “thundering down upon [Ulrich and Georg]” (1). The symbolism of the storm in this instance is everything in life that Ulrich and Georg have been ignorant to and taken for granted. Within the story, the two never considered nature a threat, and the storm is the symbol of the benign threats that lash out when one lets their guard down. In accordance with the storm, the tree represents many things, the most prominent being components that are only dangerous when one ignores something that could mangle it. For example, in the story, the two believe that nature isn’t of their concern, but once the storm begins ravaging, the once regal...
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...A TEACHER’S GUIDE TO THE SIGNET CLASSIC EDITION OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE’S MACBETH LINDA NEAL UNDERWOOD S E R I E S E D I T O R S : W. GEIGER ELLIS, ED.D., ARTHEA J. S. REED, PH.D., UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA, EMERITUS and UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA, RETIRED A Teacher’s Guide to the Signet Classic Edition of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth 2 INTRODUCTION William Shakespeare developed many stories into excellent dramatizations for the Elizabethan stage. Shakespeare knew how to entertain and involve an audience with fast-paced plots, creative imagery, and multi-faceted characters. Macbeth is an action-packed, psychological thriller that has not lost its impact in nearly four hundred years. The politically ambitious character of Macbeth is as timely today as he was to Shakespeare's audience. Mary McCarthy says in her essay about Macbeth, "It is a troubling thought that Macbeth, of all Shakespeare's characters, should seem the most 'modern,' the only one you could transpose into contemporary battle dress or a sport shirt and slacks." (Signet Classic Macbeth) Audiences today quickly become interested in the plot of a blindly ambitious general with a strong-willed wife who must try to cope with the guilt engendered by their murder of an innocent king in order to further their power. The elements of superstition, ghosts, and witchcraft, though more readily a part of everyday life for the Renaissance audience, remain intriguing to modern teenagers. The action-packed...
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...INSTRUCTIONS * Read the notes on sonnets. * Read the sonnets and answer the questions that follow each. * Complete the writing assignment Shakespeare’s Sonnets: The Mysteries of Love Shakespeare. The name calls to mind the great plays whose characters have come to life on stages around the world: Hamlet, Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, Othello. Yet had Shakespeare written no plays at all, his reputation as a poet, as the author of the Sonnets (1609), would still have been immense. There are 154 sonnets altogether; their speaker is male, and their chief subject is love. Beyond those three points, however, there is little agreement, only questions: • Is the sonnets’ speaker a dramatic character invented by Shakespeare, like Romeo, Macbeth, or Hamlet, or is he the poet himself? • If the sonnets are about the real man Shakespeare, then who are the real people behind the characters the sonnets mention? • Is the order in which the sonnets were originally published (probably without Shakespeare’s consent) the correct or the intended sequence? Could they be arranged to tell a more coherent story? Should they be so arranged? These and dozens of other questions about the sonnets have been asked and answered over and over again—but never to everybody’s satisfaction. We have hundreds of conflicting theories but no absolutely convincing answers. About the individual sonnets, though, if not the whole sequence, agreement is perfect: They are among the supreme utterances in English...
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...Senior English Curriculum Map: 2010-2011 School Year English IV * Note: “Sacred Book List” Addendum is at the end of this document Quarter #1 August 23 to October 22 Essential Questions: 1. How do writers and artists organize or construct text to convey meaning? 2. What does it mean to be a stranger in the village? Unit Goals 1. To understand the relationship between perspective and critical theory. 2. To apply critical theories to various texts studied and created. 3. To control and manipulate textual elements in writing to clearly and effectively convey a controlling idea or thesis. Student Published Portfolios: For each of the first three quarters, students are required to complete three to four published writing portfolio products. Quarter 4 is devoted to completion of the Laureate Research Project. . Pacing: This map is one suggestion for pacing. Springboard pacing guides precede each unit in the “About the Unit” sections and offers pacing on a 45-minute class period length. Prentice Hall Literature – Use selections from Prentice Hall throughout the quarter to reinforce the standards being taught as well as the embedded assessments within the SpringBoard curriculum. QUARTER #1 SpringBoard Curriculum Pacing Guide August 23 – October 22 Standards and Benchmarks | Unit Pacing Guide | SpringBoard Unit/Activities | Assessments | SpringBoard Unit 1Literature * The students will analyze and compare significant works of...
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