Hi there,
I really like your analysis of this excerpt from Macbeth, you obviously have a clear and thorough understanding of the text. This is a crucial scene in the play, and I think you have done it justice.
However, just wanted to point out the question said pick lines from The Tempest, and you’ve put that in your blog, but you analysed Macbeth, still a great analysis none the less!
Lesley
I chose the following lines from The Tempest, because I feel they are of great significance to the play. The following lines are said by Caliban and are directed to Prospero.
Thou strokedst me and madest much of me, wouldst give me
Water with berries in’t, and teach me how
To name the bigger light, and how the less,
That burn by day and night: and then I loved thee
And show’d thee all the qualities o’ the isle,
In these lines, Caliban is expressing his frustration in the fact that when Prospero arrived on the island, he was nice to him and treated him well. Prospero taught him to speak english and “name the bigger light” (the sun), and because of this Caliban taught him everything he knew about the island.
I feel like this is an important part of the play, as it gives us some insight into the mind of Caliban, who is portrayed as a savage and as a monster, yet his speech is written in verse. I think this speech portrays a sensitive side to this character and allows us to see things from his point of view. Caliban is perceived to be the villain, but this speech describes how he was the indigenous inhabitant of the island who was made to believe Prospero was there to be kind to him so he taught him everything he knew about the nature of the island. Instead, Prospero uses this knowledge against him and Caliban is forced to be his slave.
Whilst there are other story lines that occur throughout The Tempest such as Prospero seeking revenge or the love affair between Ferdinand and Miranda, I think this theme in the play that often gets over looked.
Leona,
Your approach to the character of Lady Macbeth, is similar to my take on Cressida from Troilus and Cressida. It is easy to judge these characters as the villain, and I like that you have looked at her character from an alternate point of view. I have to say though, she does play a large role in a lot of the tragedy that takes place in Macbeth! However, it is refreshing to have different spin put on it.
Keep up the good work!
Lesley
Dear Mr. Shakespeare,
I am writing this letter to you to thank you for the legacy of amazing literary works, that we have been lucky enough to explore over the semester. I have to admit my initial reaction was not so enthusiastic! I was scared that I would struggle with the language and meaning behind some of the texts, but have grasped it a lot easier than I thought. Of all the plays we looked at this semester, I found Macbeth the trickiest to follow in terms of language, and found The Tempest, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream the most enjoyable. Any struggle I came across in terms of language required me to pick apart the text, and go through it line by line until I understood it. I feel this will only benefit me in my studies of your work in the future. So once again, a big thank you to you for writing these amazing stories, that present themes that are relatable to today.
Regards,
Lesley Mitchell
Danielle,
I always try and comment on blogs that correspond with what I have written for the week, which is why I’m commenting on this one! I chose to do a critical analysis of the passage in Macbeth that has the line, “Pity like a newborn babe”, and i felt your analysis of the painting complimented my blog. Your analysis is in depth and well thought out. I enjoyed reading it!
Lesley
http://danielledimarti.wordpress.com/2012/05/03/literature-blog-post-6-week-9/
From my previous study of Greek theatre, my understanding of catharsis is that it is a ‘purging’ of emotion for a particular character, or the relieving of particular emotions. In my study of theatre catharsis is prominent in tragedies. In the circumstance of Macbeth where the line “pity like a new born babe” is used, we are seeing exactly that of his character. The catharsis is coming after a tragic event that is the king’s murder at the hands of Macbeth, and it is in this speech that Macbeth’s torment and despair is revealed. For Shakespeare to use the imagery of a new born babe suggests that pity is the only pure (like a new born) emotion left for Macbeth. The image of the birth of a new born could be seen as the ‘birth’ of a murder. Catharsis is displayed as we see Macbeth reach a heightened state of emotions, and we see him acknowledging the repercussions of his actions.
Hi Steph, I chose to leave a comment on your blog this week, as I see we have chosen the same topic to blog about, but have taken different stand points. I don’t agree with your analysis of Cressida’s character. I agree, that yes, she does make some questionable choices but I think it is important to consider her life and what has led her to where she is. Her whole life she has been traded and exchanged and treated like an object. Her own perception of her self is determined by what the men in her life think of her. On the other hand, your blog was very well written, keep up the good work.
Lesley
http://shakespeareliterature.wordpress.com/2012/04/04/week-5-entry/#comment-7
I think it is all too easy to be judgemental of Cressida’s character. At first glance she can be seen as a woman who uses her sexuality to get her through life. Cressida is unfaithful to Troilus after not wanting to be with him and then her reaction when she is exchanged can be seen as unwarranted. However, when you look at Cressida’s life, and what has led her to the point in her life that is the play. Her father has abandoned Cressida, and the only relative she has left seeks to trade her off to Troilus. After this comes “the news that she will be swapped for Antenor- will literally become an object of exchange”. Her whole life she has been treated like an object that has been traded and swapped when seen fit by the men in her life. Her character is defined by the title given to her by whose “property” remains at the time. To only base your judgement on Cressida on your initial reading, does not do her character justice, and can result in a severe misjudgement. I think her past, and her treatment by other characters needs to be considered to get a true grasp of her character and motives.
Hi there,
I think your description of both places is well on point! The Shakespeare room really helped me to get a feel of what it would have been like to be around in the time Shakespeare was doing all his writing. They were both a bit brief though! All though I know it hard to describe to places when you have to stick to a word limit!
Lesley
http://jocelynwuacu.wordpress.com/2012/04/05/week-six-literature-journal-blog-8/#comment-6
I’m almost ashamed to say that the visit with the class a few weeks ago was my first time at the state library! I found the Shakespeare room very interesting. It was almost like they had preserved a room from Shakespeare’s time and brought it to the state library. Every last detail from the ceiling to the stain glass windows was relevant to Shakespeare and his works. I think the room is beneficial for those who are studying Shakespeare; it allows them to almost feel like they are in his presence. The room really brings Shakespeare to life, rather than just thinking of him as a man who wrote all these plays.
After the library we visited the Art Gallery, which allowed us to look at paintings that were done during the time of Shakespeare. It really gave us an opportunity to see some of the other creative works that were circulating whilst Shakespeare was writing his plays. I think it is important for students to acknowledge other creative works during Shakespeare’s time and see whether he was influenced them, or their work has influenced him. Over all, I think both the visit to the library and gallery on enriched the study of Shakespeare and his plays.
State Library
Art Gallery
Lesley Mitchell 