Quotation And Type Of Connection Macbeth Philosophy Essay

Within the quotation of this segment from Macbeth, Lady Macduff, still in Scotland with her young children, is deemed vulnerable when Macduff expedited to England to find Malcolm, one of two of the late King Duncan’s sons. An unidentified messenger is sent to warn Lady Macduff and her children of impending danger and hurriedly tells them to disappear and vacate immediately. Lady Macduff is frustrated and furious because she asserts that, whatever it may be; she has done nothing wrong and is unaware of any misdeeds she has committed. This scenario is especially similar in modern society, or more unambiguously, tyrant-ruled countries. Dictatorship can be globally observed in a relative amount of sovereign countries. This situation is predicated on the serious battle arising from Syria, a middle-eastern republic. It has consistently gained notoriety for assassinating its own people during the persisting bloodshed of the 2012 Syrian Civil War. It is an unfortunately ideal example of how countless citizens have been persecuted, interrogated, tortured and brutally massacred, with many of them being blameless victims caught in the threshold of an all-out conflict. This is a primary example to Macbeth in the sense that anyone in contradiction (including Macduff and his family) with the regime in Scotland might suffer the same fate of persecution and/or murder without clear justification or ethical reason.

ENGLISH DOUBLE ENTRY JOURNAL 2

Quotation and Type of Connection

Journal Entry

Lady Macbeth: “Come, you spirits that tend on moral thoughts, unsex me here, and fill me, from the crown to the toe, top-full of direst cruelty!”

(1.5.43-46)

Lady Macbeth: “A little water clears us of this deed: How easy is it then!”

(2.2.85-86)

Lady Macbeth: “Out, damned spot! Out, I say!”

(5.1.32)

Text-to-same-text

In these three quotes, all from different acts and scenes, there are separate yet comparable connections within each statement from Lady Macbeth. The first connection is between the first and second quotes. Lady Macbeth states that she does not wish to suffer from the consequence of her and Macbeth’s heinous actions of conspiring and later murdering King Duncan. In similarity to both quotes, Lady Macbeth assumingly asserts that through a few simple, however futile actions, she will not have to feel the repentance and anguish that her vileness deeds will inevitably be bestowed upon herself and Macbeth. In hopes of not enduring the lingering guilt of her actions, the first quote shows Lady Macbeth asserting that if her femininity is removed, she will have the raw emotions of ferocity, violence and portrayal of innocence commonly associated with men and masculinity. The second quote is comparable because Lady Macbeth considers that if she washes her hands, eliminating the blood and evidence, she will be cleared of any wrongdoing. This is another clear example of inaccuracy on her part because of the assumption that guilt might not plague her mind, while in actuality, it already has. The second connection is found to be somewhat ironic between the second and third quotes. Lady Macbeth’s mind has been infected with culpability. It has quickly transpired into sleep deprivation, sleepwalking and sleep-talking. Through her psychotic episode during her sleepwalking, she unconsciously reveals that she was involved in Duncan’s murder. The third quote is shown to be contradictory to Lady Macbeth’s earlier statement about ridding her of the deed. During her sleepwalking, Lady Macbeth is remarking that she still bares the blood of the daggers she held. She is shown repetitively struggling to clean her blood-ridden hands. Regardless of attempts to conceal a crime or indiscretion, punishment is often foreseeable. Shakespeare’s interpretation of negative consequence and punishment is illustrated flawlessly through Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s immoral thoughts, actions and their eventual demise.

ENGLISH DOUBLE ENTRY JOURNAL 3

Quotation and Type of Connection

Journal Entry

Lady Macbeth: “Which thou esteem’st the ornament of life, and live a coward in thine own esteem.”

(1.7.45-46)

Text-to-self

In this one quote from Lady Macbeth, one sentence speaks a thousand words. While contemplating to kill Duncan, Macbeth inconclusively decides to not murder the King for more reasons against it than for it. Lady Macbeth, appalled at his decision, describes that Macbeth’s inaction will only be regarded as pathetic and apprehensive. She states that if he does not perpetrate his plans to murder King Duncan, Macbeth might as well live his entire life as a coward and a quitter with Lady Macbeth never seeing him as a masculine husband. A somewhat relatable personal experience occurred to me. One time during the weekday school hours, it was last period before the school day ended. A few friends of mine unanimously decided that they will skip the last period of school because they were seriously uninterested. They had asked me if I would skip with them, and though I contemplated for quite some time, they repeatedly tried persuading me and I reluctantly agreed. One by one, my friends started sneaking out of class. When it was my turn to sneak out, I had inadvertently left and sensed that the teacher might have spotted me. However, I noticed the teacher did not pursue me. While we were hanging out at the park a block away from school, I had told my friends I felt uneasy about skipping. They had told me not to worry and that I would be considered a “wussy” if I went back to school. Unfortunately, the next day, my teacher gave me detention for leaving without authorization. My teacher had actually seen everybody who was involved and decided to also punish the other students, but with a call home since this was not their first wrongdoing. Macbeth would have done well to have listened to his moral instinct instead or perhaps tried to encourage Lady Macbeth not to assassinate King Duncan.

ENGLISH DOUBLE ENTRY JOURNAL 4

Quotation and Type of Connection

Journal Entry

The Joker: “You need an ace in the hole, mine’s Harvey. I took Gotham’s white knight and I brought him down to our level. It wasn’t hard; see madness as you know is like gravity… all it takes is a little push!”

(Film: The Dark Knight)

Macduff: “Tell thee, Macduff was from his mother’s womb untimely ripp’d.”

(5.8.19-20)

Text-to-another-text

In these two quotes, direct and indirect connections are made between climaxes in The Dark Knight and Macbeth. An explanation for the context of the film connection is introduced. In The Dark Knight, the Joker realises that he has lost the battle for control of Gotham city in a pinnacle fight with Batman. After he is apprehended by Batman the Joker sparingly reveals that he created an ‘ace in the hole’. The ace in the hole by definition is Harvey Dent. He infected the mind of district attorney Harvey Dent (nicknamed ‘The White Knight’) with a malicious idea to seek vengeance against those involved in conspiring against and attempting to kill him. What Macduff discloses in the ultimate battle to the death with Macbeth is his own variation of ‘ace in the hole’. The witches’ prophecy foretold that Macbeth could not be defeated by anyone of woman born, nonetheless, Macbeth’s confidence (although feeling surrounded) is increased. Macbeth is constantly self-assuring that he will be victorious. However, Macbeth understood belatedly that Macduff underwent a caesarian section and therefore was not of woman born. Additionally, an indirect and more in depth example of a connection between the film quote and the message of the play in its entirety is what the Joker exposes as his knowledge of madness/insanity. He asserts how simple it is to contaminate one’s mind with a wicked idea such as murder, similar to what the three witches had implanted in Macbeth’s mind (to murder King Duncan). Both quotes hold important information which can also be interpreted as their own description of an ‘ace in the hole’ (an advantage that is reserved for use until it is most needed).

ENGLISH DOUBLE ENTRY JOURNAL 5

Quotation and Type of Connection

Journal Entry

Macbeth: “Methought, I heard a voice cry, “Sleep no more! Macbeth does murder sleep”-the innocent sleep, / Still it cried, “Sleep no more!” to all the house: “Glamis hath murder’d sleep: and therefore Cawdor shall sleep no more: Macbeth shall sleep no more!”

(2.2.47-48 & 2.2.54-56)

Macbeth: “In restless ecstasy. Duncan is in his grave, after life’s fitful fever he sleeps well, treason has done his worst: nor steel, nor poison, Malice domestic, foreign levy, nothing, can touch him further!”

(3.2.20-28)

Text-to-same-text

Macbeth explains that now, after King Duncan’s murder and his own subsequent ascension to the throne; he grows increasingly doubtful whether his kingship will remain. Regret is progressively revealed in Macbeth’s soliloquies. Macbeth’s deterioration of his conscience now shows he is somewhat jealous of Duncan because nothing can bother him and he can rest in peace while Macbeth is systematically tormented because of his murderous deed. The earlier mention of a prophecy-like warning told to Macbeth about how he will henceforth be rendered sleepless and mentally disturbed. It is a twist of ironic fate because Macbeth intended to kill King Duncan to become king himself, but soon realised that Duncan is resting in peace while Macbeth is restless. This very notion upsets Macbeth and he further regrets murdering Duncan in the first place. Because of the adverse side effects of sleep deprivation and latter guilt, Macbeth’s efforts to overlook the entire homicidal exploit will be hopeless and will drive Macbeth into full-fledged psychosis and mental instability. The connection between these two quotes is contrary because of the first quote’s warning about Macbeth’s impending sleep deficiency and the second quote’s explanation of King Duncan’s eternal restfulness.

Journal for Act 2

Journal of Macbeth: Following King Duncan’s horrifying murder and speculation falls upon anyone associated with him.

“Mysterious Murders”. CBC News 06 September 2012.

My mind wanders inside itself, begging for response, resolutions, and dissolution of repentance. The witches prophesied my future exploits and endeavors. How dare I conspire? My vileness deed was considered at risk of bringing unease and ‘murder of sleep’. My alibi for this enactment was not planned with exceptionality and vigilance. I suspect that others might have noticed my peculiar behaviour and unusual explanation for the king’s guard’s murders. However, with my sturdy reputation, likelihood for conviction is doubtful. Blameworthiness will fall upon Duncan’s young sons since they have already fled. Earlier, perhaps the worst questioning of my abilities was when my Lady Macbeth examined my integrity, masculinity and valour. How dare I be contradicted, and by mine own wife! Duncan’s lifeless body shall be a clear reminder of my ascending power. Sacrifice must be made in order to fulfill a divination, Duncan’s killing was foreseeable, and the witches’ incantation expressed to me that I would become king. Now I shall enjoy reigning over the great nation of Scotland. Although I have become King, the witches’ prophecy predicted that Banquo’s son, Fleance, will someday inherit the throne. Both of them must be eliminated to ensure my reigning over this country is not compromised. Today is the dawning of a new age. Our enemies will plead us to refrain from attacking them and we will consider it. And only one word of warning for all those standing in my path to hierarchy, when you have me for an enemy… no one shall here you scream, food for thought.

Macbeth

Journal for Act 4

Journal of Macduff: Following Macduff’s reaction and ultimate battle in memory of his slaughtered family.

“Vengeance is Forthcoming”. Toronto Star 13 September 2012. AL Print.

How can any man refrain from revealing true emotion about a dreadful and extremely tragic loss? Macbeth will feel my displeasure and he will rue the day he took my loved ones from me. I will ensure that my retort will inflict a very deep message in Macbeth’s senseless noggin. The army of England has already secured the deployment of over 10,000 soldiers to Scotland to prey and eradicate Macbeth once and for all. I have recently been informed of Lady Macbeth’s suicide, along with others in his inner circle and I feel a certain amount of justice has occurred. Now the main conflicting enemy, Macbeth, is to be cornered by the soldiers at his castle where he is headquartered. He has killed my young children and my loving wife! Lord, please give me the strength to pursue Macbeth until he begins pleading for mercy. He shall join his wife in eternal matrimonial hell. He first devised a treacherous plot against King Duncan, killed him, unleashed an authoritarian ruling regime and lastly, in a sense, destroyed everything that gave my life purpose and the will to live.

The time comes for our supreme battle to the death and my well-deserved retribution. We engaged in sword fighting, I noticed his unrequited determination to defeat me. Macbeth, of course feeling indestructible, was obviously stronger than I. However, when he happened to mention the prophecy and its merits about the ‘of woman born’ section, I revealed that I was not in fact of woman born! This sheer esteem-crumbling fact impacted Macbeth’s outcome of our battle.

Macduff

Journal for Act 5

Journal of Macbeth: Following Macbeth’s eventual demise while fighting against England’s encompassing army.

“The Tyrant’s Pinnacle Battle”. Toronto Star 18 September 2012. AL Print.

The three Witches proclaimed me indomitable toward anyone of woman born. I do not intend to back down from this persisting battle; it shall be to the death. I am untouchable, invincible, immovable and unstoppable! No one, not Macduff, Malcolm, Donaldbain, or anyone else shall defeat my intellect and awesome power, especially those of woman born! Why worry? Although I am alone, I shall prevail.

Macduff appears enraged when first seeing me. Deep in my mind, I do regret relentlessly killing Macduff’s family; nevertheless, I must eliminate all threats, including Macduff himself. This is a cutthroat battle and it must be endured, I can wait no longer for fate to decide for me but rather I select my own destiny, Triumph or Death. Today, I fight for my wife, myself and for Scotland under my reign.

How could it be possible for a person, particularly Macduff, to not be born of woman?? Impossible! My fate cannot be rectified. I must now suffer the consequence I have long eluded, Death… Live free Scotland, for I cannot. Live long and prosper!

Macbeth