Here's a symbolic image from Macbeth to spark your imagination.
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| What do you think this represents? (Just think about it; no need to post a response to this picture.)
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Monday, November 4, 2013
Macbeth's Themes, Symbolism and Imagery
Now that you've been reading Macbeth and seeing different themes, symbols and images emerge, share two of them with us. Identify two themes or symbols or images, cite where they are found in the play (Act, scene, line--i.e. II, iii, 35), and discuss their significance in the play. How does Shakespeare show the themes through characters, setting and plot? What are we to learn from those themes today? What Biblical morals does Shakespeare express through his themes? What scriptures come to mind? How do the symbols and imagery further the development of the plot, characters and themes? How does Shakespeare's use of symbolism and imagery enhance your reading and viewing experience?
Here's a symbolic image from Macbeth to spark your imagination.
Here's a symbolic image from Macbeth to spark your imagination.
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Ilia Willison 11/19
ReplyDeleteI, iii, 38 "So foul and fair a day I have not seen."
This was stated when all of the strange events started to take place and even the weather started to become strange to almost be unexplainable. After Duncan's death is when night and day was odd, there was a lot of bird imagery, and everything started to go wrong.
III, iv, 121-5 "It will have blood, they say; blood will have blood. Stones have been known to move and trees to speak; augures and understood relations have by maggot-pies and choughs and rooks brought forth the secrest'st man of blood. What is the night?"
This quote is when Macbeth was being paranoid during the banquet and sees the ghost of Banquo. In this quote, Macbeth is saying that the graves move and the trees speak which means that what he has done may come to light very soon and that these events will forever haunt him.
Throughout the story, you can tell how everything is connected. The imagery and themes are special to each character and what they are going through. The imagery also helps to add more visual enhancement and it has more meaning. Some of the symbols, such as the birds, made me have to think about what it all means. What is special about it is that the readers can think different meanings behind the symbols and imagery.
The themes are also shown in each character because they are all different and go through different events. Some of the characters went through facing a higher power such as Macbeth with the witches. Lady Macbeth went through the pain of facing her own actions along with Macbeth's. There were also a lot of supernatural events that went on such as Banquo's ghost, the witches and the apparitions, and Macbeth's vision of a dagger.
Through what these characters have faced we can take it and apply it to our lives. Some of the things I learned are not to turn against people (especially if you can't handle the repercussions), do not get involved with witchcraft, and if you feel that what you are going to do is wrong then don't do it. Macbeth never went with his gut but went with his wife's opinion and his mind and it ended up enveloping him and making him go insane. Also do not leave your spouse without saying goodbye because they may die!
Not only does Shakespeare's work have themes that we can apply to today but also that are like principals in the Bible. In the story, Macbeth relies so heavily on the witches and what they predict for his life but they are evil and ever since he got involved with them, everything went down hill fast. Another part of the story that applies is not to be greedy and be consumed in evil thoughts. Near the end of the story, you could tell Macbeth's thoughts were enveloped with evil and darkness. The main point is that he didn't get anywhere with the help from the witches or being evil except having his head on a pole.
Here are some Bible verses that apply:
James 1:19-20
"My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteousness that God desires."
Exodus 22:18
"You shall not permit a sorceress to life."
Leviticus 19:31
"Do not turn to mediums or necromancers; do not seek them out, and so make yourselves unclean by them: I am the Lord your God"
PS. sorry I did this a little out of order but I thought about the symbols and imagery earlier before the themes. :)
I like how you covered everything. haha
DeleteCaeden Barnes
I like how you have a lot examples...good job :)
DeleteThere are many different themes and symbols in Macbeth. An example of a theme would be the gender roles and an example of a symbol would be water/cleansing. The theme of gender roles being reversed is shown in act one. In this act, Lady Macbeth is shown to be braver and less cowardly than Macbeth. She even asks the devil for help to basically “de-womanize” her so that she would be brave enough to kill Duncan. “Come, you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here, and fill me from the crown on the toe top-full of direst cruelty” (I, v, 30-33). An example of a symbol would water and cleansing. In act two, Macbeth tries to clean his hands from the crime he has committed. He can’t wash his hands from the guilt that binds him. “Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood clean from my hand? No, this my hand will rather the multitudinous seas incarnadine, making the green one red” (II, ii, 61-64). These two themes and symbols are important to the play because they show gender roles that were not common in that day and age and it also shows that crime, sin, and guilt are difficult to be unbounded from. Shakespeare uses Lady Macbeth’s strong character to illustrate how the gender roles were reversed. He also uses Macbeth to show that sin and guilt are hard to be unbounded from. From this, we can learn that sin and guilt go hand in hand. Biblically, you will not be able to be free from this guilt and sin until you repent to God. Only then will you be fully free from it. Shakespeare’s use of symbol and themes help the reader fully grasp and picture the entire story. Without his symbols and themes, the reader would not be able to visualize or relate to the story.
ReplyDelete~ Keilah
You have some great thoughts here Keilah, that I agree with. Good job!
Delete-Alyssa Moreno
One theme that was very strong in the beginning of the play is gender roles. In Act 1, V, 59-70 when Lady Macbeth is pressing at Macbeth to get his act together and kill Duncan. Also in Act 1, VII, 47-72 where they are still on the same subject and Lady Macbeth is just tearing him apart. One example of a symbol and image is hallucinations/visions that Macbeth had in Act 2, I, 30-60 when he is having the vision of the dagger leading him to kill Duncan. These are important because Lady Macbeth is poisoning Macbeth’s mind to do what she wants, and the hallucination is the evil creeping into him.
ReplyDeleteShakespeare shows the theme through characters by either using them to be overpowering such as Lady Macbeth over Macbeth or being quiet and conniving to get an edge over others. Today these themes are shown through many people and situations. The overpowering aspect is seen mostly in friendships when one person is more easy going and the friend just takes advantage of them in all aspects. The quiet and conniving is shown when a person is a sneaky and always just sits back and waits for the perfect moment to put their plan to action. Shakespeare’s morals are shown by the good winning in the end, and eliminating the evil. One verse that comes to mind is Romans 12:21, “Be not overcome of evil, But overcome evil with good.”
The symbols and imagery further the development of the plot by giving the characters and themes more depth therefore giving the reader more to work with. Shakespeare’s use of symbols and imagery provides me with more interest and it makes it easier to read because they enhance what you have to think about.
Caeden Barnes
I totally agree with you that Lady Macbeth seems to be taking on a more dominant role in her relationship with Macbeth. You could even say Lady Macbeth wants to become queen more than Macbeth wants to become the king. I also agree that Shakespeare uses symbols and imagery in his plays to capture his audiences by making it more interesting and sometimes easier to understand.
Delete-Micah Currier
As we can see in Macbeth, blood is every where. But does this blood mean something other than just its physical form? Well, this blood can represent the guilt of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. We can see in from the beginning of the play that blood is relevant, and that it progressively gets worse and worse. In II.ii.58-59 that Macbeth has the blood of Duncan on him and whats to get rid of it. And of course, we can see that blood is representing the guilt of the death of Duncan and it comes back to haunt him. Later on in the play, Lady Macbeth has blood on her and whats to rid of, saying that "this man has had to much blood". The play uses blood in many scenes to show the building guilt of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.
ReplyDeleteAnother symbol in the play that intrigued me was the owl killing the falcon in II.iii.11-13. This is when all the strange, supernatural things start to happen, like the horses eating each other. But an owl killing a falcon is very strange. Maybe we can say that it is a bit of foreshadowing? We can use the falcon as a representation of Macbeth and the owl as a smaller person, yet defeats the mighty king. This is what it means to me, foreshadowing. Not only is it a supernatural element but it is telling us what will happen to Macbeth later on in the play.
In any play (or story in general) you want depth, you want more than just what is written, These symbols and imageries help us get a better understanding of a situation or what the character is going to do or what is going to happen to them. James 1:14 comes to mind when reading this play, "But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire." Macbeth has this desire to be king, no matter what. But with this greed comes excruciating guilt and the fall of himself.
Kolten Knaub
I liked how you used blood as a symbol and I agree with pretty much everything you said, good job!
Delete~Keilah
"Two major themes are greed and dominance (gender roles).
ReplyDeleteIn the beginning, Lady Macbeth shows a lot of dominance over Macbeth. She is very controlling, but as the story continues you see that Lady Macbeth has influenced the way Macbeth thinks. An example of this is Act 1 Scene 7 Lines 47-60 "What beast was ’t, then, That made you break this enterprise to me? When you durst do it, then you were a man; And to be more than what you were, you would Be so much more the man. Nor time nor place Did then adhere, and yet you would make both. They have made themselves, and that their fitness now Does unmake you. I have given suck, and know How tender ’tis to love the babe that milks me. I would, while it was smiling in my face, Have plucked my nipple from his boneless gums And dashed the brains out, had I so sworn as you Have done to this.”I think this theme is significant because it shows that girls can have some power to, but I think the way that Lady Macbeth treats her husband is very uncalled for. Genesis 1:26-28 “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.’ So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.And God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.’ ”This theme is important to us today because everyone is equal. There should be no circumstance where man should have control over woman (or vice-versa).
After meeting the witches, Macbeth becomes very greedy. His whole need for power changes him so much he kills his own friend. As a result of all his greediness and killing he starts to go crazy. An example of this is Act 3 Scene 1 Lines 77-147.I think this theme is significant because it’s was causes the whole conflict in the story. If Macbeth wasn’t greedy none of the killing and stuff would even happen. 1 John 2:15-17 “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world-the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions-is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”This Theme is important today because we should no focus our eyes on worldly things. When we die none of the earthly things will mean anything to us.
- Allissa W.”
Then this is my response to Caeden’s post.
“Caeden,
Good choice in themes. I used greed and gender roles. I think your facts really helped prove this. I also think without these two theme the story just wouldn’t have the same effect.- Allissa W.”
II, i, 61: "A bell rings. I go, and it is done; the bell invites me."
ReplyDeleteThe bell rings right before Macbeth goes and kills the king. It is a symbol of death and a bad event. It also shows in this case a change in character. This is when Macbeth starts all of the killing that is to take place.
I, i, 11-12: "Fair is foul, and foul is fair, hover through the fog and filthy air."
This quote is said by the witches. It is giving a feeling of clouded thoughts that are to come. It is also setting a tone of the unfairness to come as well.
Shakespeare shows themes through the way that the characters interact with one another. Also, by using small monologues he is able to show ape hat the character is thinking giving us a deeper understanding of the theme that seems to be present through the characters actions. Giving us a theme allows us to learn from the characters mistakes. One Biblical moral that Shakespeare shows is how not to be greedy for power. In the end the drive for power is what lead Macbeth to fall off of the "path of purity". From this we can learn to be generous and humble. The story of king David comes to mind. The symbols help to paint the picture that is being given to use. Also it helps us to connect things thorough out the story.
-Sarah James
I like how you used the bell as your example because that was one of my favorite parts. I agree that Shakespeare is really trying to get the point across that being greedy isn't good.
Delete-Courtney Wing
One symbol in Macbeth is Macbeth seeing the floating dagger. "Is this a dagger which I see before me, The handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee. I have thee not, and yet I see thee still. Art thou not, fatal vision, sensible To feeling as to sight? Or art thou but A dagger of the mind, a false creation, Proceeding from the heat-oppressèd brain? I see thee yet, in form as palpable As this which now I draw."(II,i,33-42) I think this is symbolizing the murder Macbeth is about to commit. It is also showing his ambition of being king and what he's willing to do to become king.
ReplyDeleteAnother main symbol in Macbeth is blood. "Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood Clean from my hand? No, this my hand will rather The multitudinous seas incarnadine, Making the green one red."(II,ii,61-63) After Macbeth and Lady Macbeth kill Duncan, blood symbolizes their guilt. What they did has stained them and they cannot be washed clean.
By Shakespeare showing these symbols he foreshadows different events that will happen in the play. It helps to develop the characters,plot, and is needed to show the theme. With the many symbols in the play it allows for a more dynamic way of reading to be done. The theme in Macbeth, of ambition and power can still be very relatable in our world today. Often times people are power hungry and do whatever they can to control that power. Two verses that show an example of ambition and power from the Bible are, Matthew 23:12 and Proverbs 29:23. "For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted." "Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor."
-Alyssa Moreno
II, i, 2: “The moon is down, I have not heard the clock.”
ReplyDeleteThis symbol is talking about the stars and how they have disappeared out of the night sky. In Act I, Macbeth asked the stars to disappear so they do not know of what sin he is going to commit. This furthers the plot because the stars are disappearing which mean that Macbeth is about to murder King Duncan. It enhances the way someone reads the play because you get to see how all the characters are affected by the death of Duncan. Since this symbol refers to Act I it connects Acts I & II together.
V, i, 29 & 30: “Out, damn’d spot! Out, I say! [Bell rings without.] One-two-why then ‘tis time to do’t. Hell is murky.
In this scene Lady Macbeth is sleep walking and she is trying to get the blood off her hands. The blood represents her guilt and she wants her guilt to go away because it is having a negative effect on her. This furthers the plot because we see how Lady Macbeth character starts to feel guilt from her murdering King Duncan. we start to see that the guilt is defeating her and eating her up on the inside. this enhances the reading for someone because the guilt that Lady Macbeth is not a figurative thing. having the blood in the story helps the reader picture Lady Macbeth’s guilt.
-Gabrielle Pina
I liked the symbols you choose especially Lady Macbeth's, I felt that the line you choose was a big part to the story in showing her guilt and that she does have a conscience.
DeleteI like how you explained how the blood enhances the plot. I had a hard time understanding how blood was a symbol, but this clears it up.
Delete- Jordan Day
Blood and darkness are the symbols. What makes blood significant in this act is how Lady Macbeth is sleepwalking and she is rubbing her hands together like she’s washing her hands that are covered with blood. Blood also symbolizes the guilt that sits like a permanent stain on the consciences of both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, one that hounds them to their graves. “Out, damned spot! Out, I say! —One, two. Why, then, ’tis time to do ’t. (rubbing her hands)” (V, i, 25)
ReplyDeleteDarkness indicates something bad is about to happen. From the first, the cover of night is invoked whenever anything terrible is going to happen.
“Come, thick night, And pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell, That my keen knife see not the wound it makes,” (I, v, 40-42). Lady Macbeth asks "thick night" to come with the "smoke of hell," so her knife won't see the wound it makes in the peacefully sleeping King. The literal darkness corresponds to the evil or "dark" act she plans to commit.
The theme of prophecy was shown through the witches and Macbeth developed the plot from then. We can learn from this theme today by deciding between good and evil. Macbeth is a morality play and at the end, Macbeth is punished for what he did. Macbeth can be seen as Adam and Eve while the witches can be seen as Satan.
"If you forsake the Lord and serve foreign gods, He will turn and bring disaster on you and make an end of you, after He has been good to you." (Joshua 24:20)
Shakespeare's use of symbolism and imagery enhance our reading and viewing experience by making us to put in a lot of thoughts in the reading as the meaning of the symbols are deep and its more than just “blood” for example.
-Town
There are several themes that occur in Act I of Macbeth. One theme in particular I want to point is the theme "things are not what they seem." King Duncan is the most innocent, oblivious character in the entire play. In Scene II we see see that he orders the execution of the Thane of Cawdor because he betrayed the kingdom. What the king does not realize is that, once he makes Macbeth the new thane of Cawdor, he will be betrayed and killed by Macbeth - (I, ii, 63-65). In our society today, on the internet especially, many people like to take every single little detail that is given to them as truth without looking for any evidence against it. So many times I hear people use scripture and take it out of context. 1 John 4:1 says, "Beloved do not believe every spirit, but tests the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world."
ReplyDeleteAnother theme, occurring in Act III, is the theme of gender roles. In Scene I we see Macbeth talking to the people he has hired to kill Banquo and Fleance. As they are plotting Macbeth questions them if they manly enough to complete the task he has set before them – (III, i, 84-89). This is significant to the play because Macbeth is trying to find the right person to do the job of killing Banquo and his son Fleance. If he hires some servants that are not going to be men about killing Banquo and Fleance they may not be the right guys for the job.). In society today, the system of gender roles has changed dramatically. Today, we see women doing things we would never have seen 50-60 years ago. Now there are more women who are CEO’s of companies than ever. Not too long ago, a woman CEO was completely unheard of. Ultimately, in Christ Jesus, there are no specific gender roles; male or female we are all given the opportunity to have a relationship with Jesus. Galatians 3:28 says, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
-Micah Currier
Its very true I agree with you that people these days believe everything they hear! I also loved the verse you chose. Yeay Go women! It is very true that gender roles are changing these days and it is great.
Deletedarkness and switched roles are the symbols. Darkness to me symbolizes that bad things are going to happen, because it's day time but it was dark outside, that's not normal. Act I, iv 5-10. Switched roles, the owl kills the falcon, Macbeth is the more lady like person compared to his wife, the trained horses eat each other, it's a sign that things are out of wack now because of what Macbeth has done. I feel that he is implying that murder and such sin is bad and there is consequences for our actions, sometimes worse than we think and it affects other people not just us. Bible verses, Exodus 20:13 and Romans 13:4. I feel symbols and imagery help us think in the story and also develop the character into they person that they end up being.
ReplyDeleteI, iv, 50-52: “Stars, hide your fires” “Let not light see my black desires.” This symbol shows us that Macbeth is going to do something bad or evil. This is the symbol of light and darkness and resembles the good (light) shall not see the evil or be part of (darkness). This symbol plants an excitement in the reader to find out what could possibly happen that is so evil that not even things that resemble good will be present.
ReplyDeleteII, I, 4-5: “ There’s husbandry in heaven, Their candles are all out. Take thee that too.” This symbol shows us that Macbeth did perform the evil he said he was going to, and that the stars are gone because he told the stars not to watch. This symbol lets the readers know since the stars did actually leave after the action was performed, to look for the next symbol that will be leading or foretelling the next future event.
Verses: Isaiah 5:20, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!”
Micah 7:9, “Because I have sinned against him, I will bear the LORD's wrath, until he pleads my case and establishes my right. He will bring me out into the light; I will see his righteousness.”
These verses are proof that good cannot be in evil and evil cannot be in good. Also that when you perform evil acts they set you apart from God and by only God’s grace can you be brought back into his “light” or righteousness.
I like how you used light and darkness as a symbol, I never really thought of that.
DeleteKolten Knaub
1, ii, 1-3“What bloody man is that? He can report, as seemeth by his plight, of the revolt the newest state."This is what Duncan said when they meet a wounded and bloody captain. It indicate how tragic to the war.
ReplyDelete1, ii, 34-42 "yes, as sparrows eagles, or the hare the lion. If I say sooth, *I must report they were as cannons overcharg'd with double cracks,* so they doubly redoubled strokes upon the foe. Except they meant to bathe in reeking wounds, or memorize another Golgotha,* I cannot tell-But I am faint, my gashes cry for help." By this theme, we see their enemy were unstoppable, their force are powerful than all of Duncan's captains. And Sergeant has injured, his strength has run out.
Shakespeare show the themes though characters by state people's plight and describe people's mental activity. Use intense plot make audience really wants to figure out and image what kind of situations are characters facing. We learned brave and heroic vigor from those themes. The biblical morals does Shakespeare express through his themes is
In the New Testament revenge is ”presented as being wrong as a private ambition (Romans 12:19)—which the Church has taken to mean as a disorderly ambition for more than due justice—but right as a function of civil law (Romans 13:4)“. The symbols and imagery further the development of the plot by characters' romance characterization. As the same time when the symbolism and imagery enhanced my interest in reading literature, I also have learned lots of romance vocabularies.
Jimmy Hu
One of the major symbols in Macbeth is darkness. Whenever Macbeth is going to commit a crime, he asks for the stars to hide their light, or for the light to not show what he has done. “Come, seeling night, scarf up the tender eye of pitiful day” (III, ii, 48-49) One of the major themes in Macbeth is consequences of actions. In the beginning of Macbeth, it seems that there will be no consequences for Macbeth’s greed. The wife reassures him constantly that there is no way that anyone will figure out that Macbeth was the one who murdered the king, and for a while it seems like he got away with it. It isn’t until the fourth act when it is made clear that Macbeth will truly suffer for his greed, his hunger for power. (IV, iii, 219-221)
ReplyDeleteToday, we are probably supposed to learn that being completely power hungry and greedy will never end well because we will change who we are just to get what we want. The Biblical moral that Is expressed through the theme is that greed is wrong. Proverbs 15: 27 states, “The greedy bring ruin to their households, but the one who hates bribes will live.” The symbols and Imagery further the plot by adding detail to it. The symbols make the reader think about what Shakespeare is trying to tell the audience. So not only will the reader read it, but they will think in depth about how they can relate the morals to their own lives.
-Courtney Wing
"Thou wouldst be great；art not without ambition, but without the illness should attend it." -(Act 1, Scene 5)
ReplyDeleteLady Macbeth, in her soliloquies, commits herself to evil to stand by the ambition of her husband. Macbeth as the kind hostess. The theme of Hospitality and the most sinister breach of the same are ironically referred to in this in this scene.
"If you can look into the seeds of time and say which grain will grow and which will not, speak then to me, who neither beg nor fear your favors nor your hate"-(Act 1, Scene 3) It is despite prophecies of the future, people are responsible for their own actions.
We canon learn from this themes today is how importance of ambition and responsibility in our lives and how it affect our future.
Shakespeare's use of symbolism and imagery enhance to teach us how to analysis characters' characteristics and think what part they did right and what part they did wrong. Make our reading meaningful.
-Meloidia Yao
One theme that seemed very predominant in Act I was gender roles. At first the gender roles start out normal, a strong and brave man fighting bloody battles but leading his warriors to victory, but the idea we have for female gender roles gets switched. She becomes so violent she says that she would pluck a baby off her nipple as she is feeding it, and then smash its brains out. This is definitely not a feminine role. Even Macbeth notices how masculine she has become. “Bring forth men-children only, for thy undaunted mettle should compose nothing but males.” (I, vii, 72 – 74) In today’s society, there is this idea that women should be taking on more masculine roles. People look at being feminine as a bad thing but God gave women femininity and it should be cherished. The bible says for women to be submissive to their husbands, of course they can have say in decisions, but I do believe that the man should be the ideal leader in a household. Colossians 3:18 says,” Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.” Also, 1 Timothy 2:12 says, “I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet.”
ReplyDeleteAnother theme is violence. Violence is an ongoing theme throughout the entire play. It changes many characters, especially Lady Macbeth. The violence seemed to have made Lady Macbeth go crazy. Even though guilt had a lot to do with her going mentally ill, the guilt came from the violence that took place. “ (Lady Macbeth sleepwalking) Here’s the smell of blood still. All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand. Oh, oh, oh!” (V, i, 42-43) Also, violence opens and closes the book. The book opens up with a bloody battle that is led my Macbeth, but the book ends in a bloody battle where Macbeth is defeated and killed. “(Enter Macduff with Macbeth’s head) Hail, king! For so thou art. Behold where stands the usuper’s cursed head. The time is free.” (V, vii, 54-55) Violence is seen all the time in the world around us. We see wars but we also see random acts of violence that could be caused by many different things. In the Bible, we see wars that God approves of, so I think that kind of violence is ok with God if it’s for the right reasons. But violence that is used in anger and vengeance is not pleasing to God. Hebrews 10:30 says, “For we know him who said, ‘vengeance is mine; I will repay.’ And again, ‘ The Lord will judge his people.’” God is the one to judge and be in charge of vengeance, not us.
- Jordan Day
Jen Law
ReplyDeleteMrs. Johnson
English 12 Per.5
20 November 2013
Blog Post
" By the pricking of my thumbs,
Something wicked this way comes.
Open, locks,
Whoever knocks."
(IV, i, 44-47)
Every time knocking is brought up in the play something bad happens right after. The symbolization of knocking in this the play is that the audience starts to realize as the play goes on every time they hear knocking they are prepared for one or more characters to be at risk.
Shakespeare shows the symbolization of knocking in this quote through the characters by tragedy after knocking. The knocking leads to the witch’s witty deceitfulness. The setting is Macbeth wants to know if Macduff's heirs will have the thrown so he goes to the three witches. Before that we meet Hecate the goddess witch who gets mad that the three witches did not consult her before they told Macbeth he would be king. So she tells them to get visions together to tick Macbeth when he comes the next day (because they already know he is coming). When Macbeth comes they give him three visions to throw him off.
This symbol further develops the plot because when he goes to the witches and they give him visions to throw him off. After seeing their visions he wants to kill Macduff's family. The character risk after the knocking happens again in this quote reinforces this idea to the audience.
Shakespeare's symbolization enhances reading and visual experience by helping you see what’s going to happen to the minor details of knocking. He also makes you think when you cannot see what the actors would be doing when they act this out and helps you realize knocking equals badness.
What we can learn from this symbol today is when someone knocks open it and beware; stranger danger!
Part 1!
Jen's response--part 2!
ReplyDelete"She should have died hereafter.
There would have been a time for such a word.
Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day
To the last syllable of recorded time,
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing."
(V, v, 17-28)
Macbeth is in war he and he gets the news that his wife Lady Macbeth has died maybe of subside. The theme is in this quote pride vs. love because he wanted and cared more about the power and thrown than him wife.
How Shakespeare shows the theme of pride vs. love in this quote through the character is by a big build up from the beginning to end of the story. At the beginning Macbeth was a noble war hero and at the end becomes king and has chosen that over everything. The setting is like I previously said Macbeth is in war and finds out Lady Macbeth has died. Now normal good hubbies would be so sad and run to find there wife killing who ever caused them harm. Then there is Macbeth who does not give a care in the world to his wife that has just died saying she would have died some time. The best part is he keeps on going with his business.
What Biblical moral Shakespeare expresses through this theme is love should be stronger than anything. When you commit to some one and love them you have to live that out through thick and thin. You should never love anyone more than God and you should not put power before your spouse.
The scripture reference that came to mind was 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 because love has enough power in it self and it is not worth as much if other things like power is put above it. This reference says: " Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. "
What we can take away from this theme is don't let your pigheadedness and power get in the way of your loved ones. Your loved ones are always there for you, but not power or pride go away.
Allison Porterfield
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Now that you've been reading Macbeth and seeing different themes, symbols and images emerge, share two of them with us. Identify two themes or symbols or images, cite where they are found in the play (Act, scene, line--i.e. II, iii, 35), and discuss their significance in the play. How does Shakespeare show the themes through characters, setting and plot? What are we to learn from those themes today? What Biblical morals does Shakespeare express through his themes? What scriptures come to mind? How do the symbols and imagery further the development of the plot, characters and themes? How does Shakespeare's use of symbolism and imagery enhance your reading and viewing experience?
A symbol that I saw in Macbeth Act 1 scene 1 was the bell ringing.
(I, i, 66-67) “ *bell rings* I go, and it is done. The bell invites me. Hear it not, Duncan, for it is a knell that summons thee to heaven or to hell.” He has been struggling with whether or not he should kill Duncan and the bell helps him to decide to kill him.
Another symbol was the floating dagger. (II, i, 33-42) "Is this a dagger which I see before me, the handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee. I have thee not, and yet I see thee still. Art thou not, fatal vision, sensible to feeling as to sight? Or art thou but a dagger of the mind, a false creation, proceeding from the heat-oppressed brain? I see thee yet, in form as palpable as this which now I draw."
When Shakespeare shows these symbols he is showing the theme of power. Macbeth is letting these things have power over him to help him kill Duncan and show him that he should kill him. I feel like him seeing and hearing these things are what help him to make his mind up about killing Duncan. One biblical moral Shakespeare expresses is humility. His characters need humility. If they were humble they wouldn’t be killing each other. One verse that comes to mind is Isaiah 5:15-16 and 1 Peter 5:6. Man is humbled, and each one is brought low, and the eyes of the haughty are brought low. But the Lord of hosts is exalted in justice, and the Holy God shows himself holy in righteousness. (Isaiah 5:15-16). Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. (1 Peter 5:6 NIV).
Response to Alyssa Moreno:
I liked the symbols you chose. I especially liked the ocean washing the blood clean from the hands. I had never thought about the guilt in it. Good job!:)
Morgan Watson
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A theme in Macbeth that I see through out most of the play is gender rolls. In Act 1 Lady Macbeth receives a letter from Macbeth, telling her about the Witches prophesies about Macbeth about becoming King after they were right about him becoming thane of Cawdor. After reading the letter Lady Macbeth says that she will do anything to become queen. Later on in the act Macbeth doesn’t think that he can go on with the plan to kill Duncan and Lady Macbeth says that he isn’t a man and if she has a baby breast feeding from her and she had to throw that baby down and smash its brain in order to come queen then she would. ( I, vii, 47-60) Later on in the play Lady Macbeth is sleep walking while the doctor and the gentlewoman watch her and she looks around for a minute then stops and tries to wash her hand that are “blood stained”. She keeps scrubbing her hands until the blood comes off but, the blood never comes off. I think this is a symbol of the guilt she has for killing Duncan and the others in order for her to remain queen and Macbeth to remain king. ( V, i, 25-30) I also think this the theme of gender rolls appearing again because in the beginning Lady Macbeth started off as a woman who would do anything for power and now she has transformed into a softer woman who has so much guilt she doesn’t know what to do. I think the theme, symbols and imagery give the story some depth and can make the story more of a movie in your head rather than just words on a page. It can engross you into the story to where you want to know more about each character and want to see how they develop through the chapters/scenes. As you read on you want to see how the symbols play into the whole story and how the writer keeps them in the story. “I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet.”- 1Timothy 2:12 comes to mind when reading Macbeth because it shows how gender rolls should be in biblically.
Reply to Ilia: I really like how you give so many examples! Great job!
Two symbols that occur throughout Macbeth are darkness and blood. The blood when lady Macbeth is sleepwalking that she is trying to wash off represents the sin and guilt that comes with the killing “Out, damned spot! Out, I say! —One, two. Why, then, ’tis time to do ’t. (rubbing her hands)” (V, i, 25). It plagues Macbeth and lady Macbeth until their death. The symbol of blood throughout Macbeth gets progressively worse since it represents the guilt that builds up. This is important because it gives a very vivid representation of their guilt, which allows it to be seen and not just heard.
ReplyDeleteThe second symbol, darkness, symbolizes that something bad will occur. The darkness comes upon the area and covers up the evil deeds that are done. Such as when Macbeth is going to murder king Duncan, the stars disappear from the sky to cover up the sin he is going to commit “Hold, take my sword. There's husbandry in heaven; their candles are all out. Take thee that too.” (II.i.4-5). This really shows the great imagery that Shakespeare uses to show certain events.
These symbols enhance the play by being able to see these feelings and emotions of the characters through visual representation, which not only looks good but also shows us a deeper meaning behind these things. It makes reading Macbeth much more interesting compared to stories or plays without such prominent symbolism.
Koji
One of the themes that I have found is gender roles. To me it seems as if Macbeth were a lady and his wife the man. Gender role often plays a role in everyday society as well. We find this in act (II). One of the other themes or symbols I found in the book is blood. It seems that as more blood is shed the more the guilt is building as the story of Macbeth continues not only for Macbeth but for Lady Macbeth as well.
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