Blog 18: Gender Roles

Now that our reading of the tragic drama, Macbeth, is complete, we are able to take a more critical eye to aspects of theme, characterization, and plot. Perhaps one of the most glaring observations about the play is the limited influence of female roles. In fact, the two main female characters, Lady Macbeth ad Lady Macduff, are only referenced in terms of their husbands. This detail is very telling of the time period in which Shakespeare wrote and the time period the story takes place.

Visit the following website and read up on Shakespeare's treatment of Gender Roles in Macbeth:

"Gender and Sexuality in Shakespeare's Macbeth: A Reversal in Gender Roles" (Thacker)

Do you agree/ disagree with some of the article's analysis? Choose a quotation from Thacker's writing and argue for or against it.

I agree with the article's analysis on the roles of characters in Macbeth by their gender. For example, Macbeth is seen as a brave and powerful man. While Lady Macduff is his counterpart that is considered a ncie warm women. Also, it is considered that Lady Macbeth is someone who taunts Macbeth and dares him to do things. "It is important to Macbeth to be seen as a strong, powerful man." Therefore, i agree with this author because all of the character's genders have an affect on the play.

Blog 16: Story Time

Act III: Story Time

The witches, ghosts, and characters in Shakespeare's Macbeth are sinister and frightening. Suppose you are invited into an elementary classroom to share the play Macbeth with all of the kids.

How would you hold the "story time" without giving the children nightmares? Write an adaptation [another version] of the events in the play, which include the scarier aspects of the play: Macbeth, the witches, and the ghosts.

Post this story to your own blog, and then critique another classmate's version for appropriate content.

If i were to do story time in an Elementary school about Macbeth, i would make it so it is appropriate and not scary. I would start off by explaining the background of the story. Which is, a about a man named Macbeth who is a hero like spiderman. However, this "spiderman" wants to be a king. He decided he wanted to be king after these three funny looking sisters told him that he will be king one day. So, "spiderman" hired a few people to help him become king.

So, throughout the story these people would help "spiderman" be next in line to be a king. As "spiderman" becomes closer to being king, he gets selfish. These three funny looking sisters are not happy about him wasting their time. Next, the three people "spiderman" hired continue to make him more worthy of being king.

Blog 15: New Year's Premonitions

Banquo cautions his war comrade Macbeth about the Three Weird Sisters' [Witches] premonitions: "The instruments of darkness tell us truths;/ Win us with honest trifles, to betray's/ In deepest consequence..." (Act I, scene iii, lines 123-125). Here Banquo clearly states his position on the Witches' statements. Explain in a few sentences what Banquo means with these lines for their futures.

In this post, also consider what you believe for your future in the year 2010. Premonitions are similar to New Year's Resolutions in that they have an element of self-fulfilling prophecy. One sort of resolution has to do only with oneself. You might decide to lose weight, to stop eating candy, to exercise more, or watch less TV. Other resolutions might involve family or friends. You could resolve to be more patient with your little brother or more helpful to mom. Some resolutions are about school and the outside world, such as getting to class on time or trying for better grades. Make one goal for each New Year's Resolution category: Personal Improvement, Family and Friends, and School and the Outside World.

What Banquo means when he warns Macbeth about the three witches is that the instruments of darkness (witches) tell the truth. He also says that to win the battle even though it will take harm.

My personal premonition is to continue my consistent excercise. My premonition for family and friends is to be more grateful for everyone's health. Last i would like to try and improve my grades.