1. Do you feel sorry for Lady Macbeth? Why or why not?
To be honest, I do not feel sorry for Lady Macbeth at all. It may seem cruel and cold to say that it is Lady Macbeth who that led herself into such tragedy and catastrophic ending. However, I believe that it is her consequence and punishment that she received for being drunk over greed and power. Lady Macbeth stepped over the line of “ethics” and “morality” when she planned the assassination of King Duncan for Macbeth; because she wanted to sit on the throne of Scotland, she spilled the blood over her hands that cannot be erased. Lady Macbeth’s actions are, to some extent, understandable in the way that it is human nature to possess strong greed and jealousy and lust over authority and power. However, for me, Lady Macbeth’s hamartia went beyond the point where she cannot even receive my pathos. She destroyed herself which does not allow me to give pity.
2. What do you think about the character of Macbeth? Was he a good guy before he met the witches, or do his actions imply that he was always capable of dark deeds? Is he blame for his actions? Or are the witches really to blame?
I think Macbeth is a mild person who is easily persuaded and pulled around by other people. Although Macbeth is described in the first Act of the play as a manly and strong character, I think he is a simple-minded person. It was his surrounding that caused him to become capable of dark deeds; especially Lady Macbeth and the three witches. The innocent and the white heart that Macbeth holds can be seen when the three witches prophesize to Macbeth in front of Banquo that the Thane of Cawdor will soon belong to Macbeth. Although Macbeth at first was very intrigued because the witches opened his ambition and wished that he can start a reign, at the last moment, he believed and came to decision that it is not right to plan a scheme and commit a crime for his own good and interest.
However, does this mean Macbeth is a smart guy? I do not think so. Although others might have influenced him a lot and tried to convince him to do what he does not intend to do, he had his authority and choice in decision-makings that could have take him out of such situation.
3. Is there a personal incident in your life you wish could erase? Envision Lady Macbeth wringing her hands, unable to get the imagery blood off of them. She is haunted by her participation in the grisly deed. Do you think her response is plausible? Do you think you would be consumed with guilt yourself if you found yourself wrapped up in such heinous crime?
There are numerous incidents in my life that I wish I could erase. As a young child who did not receive much of parents’ care and love due to their ‘all-day-long-working’, I have done some pretty bad things that people cannot imagine (I won’t go into details). However, one incident that I would like to share way back when I was about five years old. Every day when kindergarten was over, I stayed at aunt’s house until a phone call came from my mother saying that she was now back at home. Then I was able to go home. Until that time, I had to spend the most boring time of my life. So, one day as I was looking around aunt’s house to find something that would kill my time, I found a small purse lying inside a small drawer of a living room. I realized that aunt was in the kitchen cooking for nephew. I do not know what motivated me to, but I took out a 500 won, my eyes still on aunt and slowly placed the coin inside my pocket. When I came back home, I believe I placed that coin right into the piggybank that has been empty for a quite a long time. The very next day, I felt so guilty I told my mother about the stealing and she scold me for it but when I cried to death, she told me that it was okay because she gave back 500 won back to aunt. When I think back at it right now, I do not think of it as seriously because 500 won seems very small to me. However, as a small kid who possessed no money at all at the time, must have felt guilt like a man who robbed a bank.
Lady Macbeth, on the other hand, had a motivation to the crimes that she has committed: Her greed to power and strong ambition. However, I would not say that it was plausible of what she have done. Whatever caused her to commit such a selfish and hideous felony, I believe that they should be feeling guilty throughout the time until they themselves realize that what they have done is not restorable since it have affected many people negatively. Also, they must take some kind of consequence to at least be punished for what they have done. Lady Macbeth, however, chose a very egotistical way to end her crime; committing a suicide. There is now no one to blame and the crime ends without a proper settlement. This is why I believe that Lady Macbeth was not feeling as guilty as she must have. If she did, I am sure that she would have done something to restore for the chaos and the changes she have created.
4. Have you ever experienced a predicted dream? Has anyone ever suggested something about your future that actually came true? Did their comments influence your actions and the results that followed?
Unfortunately, I did not have any predicted dream during my life. However, there was a time when somebody told me that I will catch a bad cold when I woke up in the morning: it was my mother. When I first moved to China, I did not realize that China would have such a freezing weather compared to that of Korea. Therefore, I woke up, did not listen to my mother’s comment on the weather and the “prophecy” she made about me catching cold. I wore a t-shirt and jeans and went out to play in the mid-December. I did not feel cold at all when I took the first step out. However, as I got sweaty and the sweat started to evaporate, the coldness that surrounded my body was unbearable. I was literally freezing to death and was not able to move an inch. The next day, I caught a very deadly cold that did not heal for about a month. My mother’s prediction influenced me in the way that I wished it did not happen and did the opposite of what she told me to do and the result was AWFUL AWFUL!
2008년 12월 9일 화요일
2008년 11월 26일 수요일
Lady Macbeth Now and Then
E.
“A little water clears us of this deed. How easy is it, then!” (2.2.86-87)
This is the situation when Macbeth decides that he will not proceed the plan of murdering King Duncan because he believes that he saw blood stains on his dagger. However, Lady Macbeth who is in a great desire for power and authority convinces Macbeth that the plan will go well and everything will be fine. Due to her strong persuasion, Macbeth decides to assassinate King Duncan and seize the throne again.
In this situation, Lady Macbeth is boiling with lust for her power. Therefore, if I was Lady Macbeth at that situation, I will be frustrated with Macbeth because it is not only chance for Macbeth to hold the throne but also for me to be in the position where so much control can fall upon me. However, Macbeth is trying to let go of the opportunity. Also, in this kind of situation, I believe that there is nothing else in Lady Macbeth’s mind other than the brilliant future and the great dream that she might accomplish. That is why she says “little water clears us of this deed. How easy is it, then!” , not even considering the consequences that may follow after the assassination.
“What, will these hands ne’er be clean?” (5.1.45)
This is the situation when a doctor comes to Dunsinane to have a look at Lady Macbeth’s strange illness of sleepwalking. As the doctor is talking to the gentlewoman, Lady Macbeth suddenly enters the scene as she is sleepwalking and subconsciously talks about the assassination of Macduffs and Banquo. She says that the smell of blood cannot be removed from her hands and nothing even the finest perfume from Arabia will not do so. Then everyone is sort of amazed at Lady Macbeth’s symptom and the story that she speak of.
The feeling that Lady Macbeth experiences at this situation is afraid and worried. As Macbeth finished another plan of murder other than that of Duncan and Banquo, Lady Macbeth is now in concern of her hands are also sanguinary and cannot erase the guilt that she and Macbeth has committed. Now she is feeling guilty to the greater degree than Macbeth and believes that nothing will be able to get rid of the blood that is spilled all over her hands. “What, will these hands ne’er be clean?” Psychologically Lady Macbeth is in a great suffering where she cannot endure the pain of guilt.
These two lines show a great comparison between the characterization of Lady Macbeth from the beginning of the play to the almost the end of the play. It is clear that Lady Macbeth is very ambitious person in the early stage because of her strong persuasion and the luring words that put Macbeth back on the track of killing Duncan. On the other hand, when the play is about to end, Lady Macbeth, has a such a transformation to a person who is now all concerned about the guilt that she has committed and ashamed of what she have done; making the readers to go “Huh? What happened to her?”
2008년 11월 6일 목요일
3 Poets: Most Identifying - Sylvia Plath
I find Sylvia Plath the most identifying with me as a person. As a young child, I did not lose my parents like Sylvia Plath but both my parents had to go out to work from daytime to late in the night. Therefore I had to live with my aunt from kindergarten till second grade in elementary; not able to receive love and care as much as I wanted to.
As Sylvia Plath experiences all kinds of tragedy during her childhood, she loses any kind of faith or belief about God. Once again, I, too, lost my paternal grandfather when I was five years old and one of my best friend in elementary was going through a very hard time because of he had diabetes. I did not know this friend had diabetes until the last day of second grade, the day when I had to move to China. So not even able to ask, “Are you okay?” for the last moment, I had to leave this friend alone. I felt guilty as a child which made me to wonder about existence about God.
During my end of sophomore year, I really had to struggle with myself academically and with my family. As my parents are Koreans and have the Korean culture background of living strong and to the fullest, they had high expectations on me. However, my grade continuously dropped from the beginning of the year to the end of the year. My parents who were very disappointed in me gave pressure which was unbearable for me; leading me to leave the house. At this moment, I strongly believed that there is no such thing as “love” in this world and no “God” exists. From this point, I became little pessimistic about the world and started to not expect much from others; even the people who are very close to me; similar to Plath.
As Sylvia Plath experiences all kinds of tragedy during her childhood, she loses any kind of faith or belief about God. Once again, I, too, lost my paternal grandfather when I was five years old and one of my best friend in elementary was going through a very hard time because of he had diabetes. I did not know this friend had diabetes until the last day of second grade, the day when I had to move to China. So not even able to ask, “Are you okay?” for the last moment, I had to leave this friend alone. I felt guilty as a child which made me to wonder about existence about God.
During my end of sophomore year, I really had to struggle with myself academically and with my family. As my parents are Koreans and have the Korean culture background of living strong and to the fullest, they had high expectations on me. However, my grade continuously dropped from the beginning of the year to the end of the year. My parents who were very disappointed in me gave pressure which was unbearable for me; leading me to leave the house. At this moment, I strongly believed that there is no such thing as “love” in this world and no “God” exists. From this point, I became little pessimistic about the world and started to not expect much from others; even the people who are very close to me; similar to Plath.
TPCASTT: “In the Secular Night” by Margaret Atwood
"In the Secular Night"
Title - It makes the reader wonder what “secular night” means. There isn't much clue that
the title gives about the poem.
Paraphrase -
1st stanza: The story is a reminiscent that talks about the speaker’s sixteenth birthday. The setting is given in the first two lines. It is two thirty in the night and the speaker is alone in the house because everyone left, leaving her behind. Although it is her year of life, she has to babysit alone in the house. She then devours all kinds of sweets: grape juice, ice cream and ginger ale. She also lights a cigarette and dances by herself. These actions can be seen as her ways of getting rid of stress and loneliness.
2nd stanza: The speaker is now back into present and she says that “things have changed” however, only thing that changed from her is the food that she eats. She still feels lonely and there is no one around her. She now eats lima beans that are mixed with cream and pepper; then she takes big scoops. Although she is forty six years old, she cannot escape from solitude and she still search for a way to get rid of it. However, in the last sentence it seems as if she has lost her hope.
3rd stanza: The loneliness that the speaker is now unbearable that she blames God; a sign that tells she have thrown away all her expectations. However, by losing such hopes, she also realizes that probably she is not the only person who is in such situation.
Connotations:
1st stanza: A clear use of imagery to illustrate the situation of the speaker. Assonance of “circled” and “purple” to emphasize the loneliness of the speaker and alliterations on “glass with grape juice and ginger ale and, put on Glenn Miller” the continuous sound of “g” is to underscore her ways of releasing stress and loneliness.
2nd stanza: There is a shift from reminiscent to her present. The alliteration on “baby lima beans” with “b” sound, underlines the fact that only the food that she eats has changed from her life. Another clear imagery is described to emphasize the useless attempts for the speaker to get rid of her solitude.
Attitude:
The attitude of the speaker or Atwood in this poem can be described as regretful and somewhat angry that she cannot escape from the imprisonment of the strong loneliness.
Shift:
There is a shift in second stanza where the speaker is back to present and her reminiscent of past stops. The shift allows the readers to compare the speaker’s life of childhood and the life that she has right now.
Title:
Now the readers understand why the title is “In the Secular Night”. The speaker does not expect anything from God and her belief and trust has been lost.
Theme:
The theme of this poem, “In the Secular Night” by Margaret Atwood, states that people who are in a great depression or loneliness often lose their principles and beliefs; eventually pulling themselves further away from their faith.
Title - It makes the reader wonder what “secular night” means. There isn't much clue that
the title gives about the poem.
Paraphrase -
1st stanza: The story is a reminiscent that talks about the speaker’s sixteenth birthday. The setting is given in the first two lines. It is two thirty in the night and the speaker is alone in the house because everyone left, leaving her behind. Although it is her year of life, she has to babysit alone in the house. She then devours all kinds of sweets: grape juice, ice cream and ginger ale. She also lights a cigarette and dances by herself. These actions can be seen as her ways of getting rid of stress and loneliness.
2nd stanza: The speaker is now back into present and she says that “things have changed” however, only thing that changed from her is the food that she eats. She still feels lonely and there is no one around her. She now eats lima beans that are mixed with cream and pepper; then she takes big scoops. Although she is forty six years old, she cannot escape from solitude and she still search for a way to get rid of it. However, in the last sentence it seems as if she has lost her hope.
3rd stanza: The loneliness that the speaker is now unbearable that she blames God; a sign that tells she have thrown away all her expectations. However, by losing such hopes, she also realizes that probably she is not the only person who is in such situation.
Connotations:
1st stanza: A clear use of imagery to illustrate the situation of the speaker. Assonance of “circled” and “purple” to emphasize the loneliness of the speaker and alliterations on “glass with grape juice and ginger ale and, put on Glenn Miller” the continuous sound of “g” is to underscore her ways of releasing stress and loneliness.
2nd stanza: There is a shift from reminiscent to her present. The alliteration on “baby lima beans” with “b” sound, underlines the fact that only the food that she eats has changed from her life. Another clear imagery is described to emphasize the useless attempts for the speaker to get rid of her solitude.
Attitude:
The attitude of the speaker or Atwood in this poem can be described as regretful and somewhat angry that she cannot escape from the imprisonment of the strong loneliness.
Shift:
There is a shift in second stanza where the speaker is back to present and her reminiscent of past stops. The shift allows the readers to compare the speaker’s life of childhood and the life that she has right now.
Title:
Now the readers understand why the title is “In the Secular Night”. The speaker does not expect anything from God and her belief and trust has been lost.
Theme:
The theme of this poem, “In the Secular Night” by Margaret Atwood, states that people who are in a great depression or loneliness often lose their principles and beliefs; eventually pulling themselves further away from their faith.
2008년 8월 29일 금요일
question #2: character who i most identify with
I would have to say that Patrick is the character who I most identify with in this novel. Patrick is lost, insecure and often fights himself as his biggest and sometimes unbeatable enemy. Although most of the times he fights with people on his back.
I sometimes try to find my own identity also. As a person who was born in England, lived in Korea for few years, left Korea and settled in China for five years and came back to Korea in eight grade, it is quite confusing which group I belong. I am sometimes very proud of myself being a Korean but also I am proud to be born in England since I can speak their language. Also, China, who is growing into a developed nation and number one in world economy, bring me pride since I lived there for a quite a period and China feels almost like my home country. I am similar to Patrick in that we are confused of who we are. However, Patrick’s identity is hidden in the vagueness while mine is mixed all over but with definite shapes. Though there is slight difference, I feel strong pathos toward Patrick. Not knowing who I am, not able to find out a definite answer to the question must be driving me and Patrick also. Sometimes, I fall in a deep thinking of trying to figure out the way to unravel the mixture as Patrick falls off his track and puts himself into a chaotic situation. (82)
I also fight with myself to defeat the weaknesses that I possess like Patrick fights himself to find out his consciousness. My greatest weakness is laziness. I can never make myself to become diligent and hard working. However, people around me try to put me on track. Patrick who is defeated to himself can never stand up again with his own strength but always with help of others. However, when we do actually get back up, we try to fight ourselves back again and again and again.
I sometimes try to find my own identity also. As a person who was born in England, lived in Korea for few years, left Korea and settled in China for five years and came back to Korea in eight grade, it is quite confusing which group I belong. I am sometimes very proud of myself being a Korean but also I am proud to be born in England since I can speak their language. Also, China, who is growing into a developed nation and number one in world economy, bring me pride since I lived there for a quite a period and China feels almost like my home country. I am similar to Patrick in that we are confused of who we are. However, Patrick’s identity is hidden in the vagueness while mine is mixed all over but with definite shapes. Though there is slight difference, I feel strong pathos toward Patrick. Not knowing who I am, not able to find out a definite answer to the question must be driving me and Patrick also. Sometimes, I fall in a deep thinking of trying to figure out the way to unravel the mixture as Patrick falls off his track and puts himself into a chaotic situation. (82)
I also fight with myself to defeat the weaknesses that I possess like Patrick fights himself to find out his consciousness. My greatest weakness is laziness. I can never make myself to become diligent and hard working. However, people around me try to put me on track. Patrick who is defeated to himself can never stand up again with his own strength but always with help of others. However, when we do actually get back up, we try to fight ourselves back again and again and again.
question #1: most beautiful passage.
The passage that I find the most beautiful in this novel is the last three pages of chapter one, “Little Seeds”. The passage describes the nature with detail and imagery so that the readers are also in the story. It is one winter night and Patrick is intrigued by the blue moth that keeps on disappearing. “What was a moth doing at this time of a year?” (20) The fact that a moth was flying around during the winter time not only intrigued Patrick but also me who wanted to find out what is the intention of the author of the mysterious bug. The imagery is also vividly portrayed that I am Patrick who is carrying the kerosene light and trying to follow the moth in the darkness.
As Patrick keeps on searching for the moth, repetition of darkness and light is shown as symbolisms in the passage. The Kerosene light to the darkness where moth keeps on disappearing, the moon light to the thickness of clouds, sparks to the dark clothes and etc. The moth, which I believe symbolizes the purpose of life or identity, keeps on disappearing into vagueness and Patrick, the “searcher” with “light of hope”
Then at the last of the passage, Patrick witnesses several skaters that Patrick compares almost as dancers. “speed!” “romance!” “waltzing with his fire…” (22) Such representation of passion and love and Patrick’s strong desire to join one of them shows his later future relationships with Clara and Alice.
As Patrick keeps on searching for the moth, repetition of darkness and light is shown as symbolisms in the passage. The Kerosene light to the darkness where moth keeps on disappearing, the moon light to the thickness of clouds, sparks to the dark clothes and etc. The moth, which I believe symbolizes the purpose of life or identity, keeps on disappearing into vagueness and Patrick, the “searcher” with “light of hope”
Then at the last of the passage, Patrick witnesses several skaters that Patrick compares almost as dancers. “speed!” “romance!” “waltzing with his fire…” (22) Such representation of passion and love and Patrick’s strong desire to join one of them shows his later future relationships with Clara and Alice.
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