Reading Notes: Macbeth

Yay - Macbeth! I am finally starting my journey in reading Shakespeare, as reading the majority of his known work is on my book-bucket-list. To begin my first reading notes of this assignment, I am sharing two photos of my dog I took when I came home with the book. I think we had the same feelings - first a little intimidation and then pure interest.

The task of reading this book was much less daunting once I broke it apart by weekly reading assignments (another win for making small goals!).

Photo I took and edited

As a personal note, I had originally overdone my notes which consisted of about 2500+ words. This has now been condensed to just over 1000 words, including this introduction portion.

Act 1, Scene 1 

The story starts with three witches. They discuss meeting later and a reference is made to their familiars - animals that do their bidding.

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Act 1, Scene 2

An injured Captain excitedly recounts tales of bravery and bloodshed that occurred during not one, but two battles that Macbeth effortlessly conquered. The King is all too impressed, what with Macbeth cutting open a man belly to jaw and mounting his head on a stick. Even better than two battles one, Macbeth has defeated a rebel, the Thane of Cawdor. So enamored, the King strips this title from the former Thane and gives it to Macbeth (in addition to putting the former Thane to death). He sends his men to announce the good news to Macbeth.

Act 1, Scene 3

Once again we are greeted with three witches, discussing their merriment in killing farm animals and putting curses on the husbands of women who refuse to let the witches them steal their food. Suddenly, Macbeth and his friend Banquo walk into the party and think they are imagining things because the witches start praising Macbeth and announcing his current title, future title, and that he will be king. As the men question the validity of their statements, they vanish. And as the witches have dissapeared, the kings men arrive to pronounce his new title as Thane of Cawdor – fulfilling the first of two claims/prophecies the witches just made. Banquo questions the reality of the moment with a line I really adore:

“What, can the devil speak true?” (sarcastically, since to him the devil is the father of lie - but Banquo then makes a counterpoint) “oftentimes, to win us our harm, instruments of darkness tell us truths, win us with honest trifles, to betray’s in deepest consequence”

Macbeth thinks the witches may not have been lying, and this causes him some distress. If it is a good thing, and he will be king, then why would he ever kill the king? (I guess we are assuming murder is the only way to get a pay raise around here). If it is bad, why has the title of Thane of Cawdor been given to him? He instinctually says no – he would never kill the king (his chiveralous side), however, he cannot get the idea of murder from his thoughts (his soldier side).

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Act 1, Scene 4

In this scene, the King and Macbeth discuss his new title.

Act 1, Scene 5

Lady Macbeth is introduced, reading a letter from Macbeth about the events that have transpired. It is implied that Macbeth is onboard with the possible murder to gain the crown, as she immediately starts to come to terms that they have to murder the king. At first, she has similar thoughts that parallel Macbeth’s, she wants to be a good person but the chance to be Queen is so tempting. Upon finding out the King will be staying the night in their castle, the nail is put in the coffin as she starts to form a plan – ending the scene with a knife in her hand.

Act 1, Scene 6

The King has arrived, Lady Macbeth is trying very hard to act as if she isn’t plotting his demise, and Banquo is comparing the nice weather to birds having sex in their nest above the church.  

Act 1, Scene 7

Macbeth is alone again, having an inner struggle again. He knows the king trusts him implicitly, and has no real desire to see him dead other than getting the crown. He decides to drop the idea of killing him, but his wife charges in calling him a coward. In an analogy, she states; like a cat who wants a fish but is afraid to get its feet wet (pretty tame analogy for murder). Much less tamely, she tells him she understands that the king adores him but that he needs to, well, get over it:

"the babe that milks me, I would, while it was smiling in my face, have plucked my nipple from his boneless gums and dashed its brains out"

 He caves to his wife and is back on board with murdering the king. They make a plan to get the king drunk, his two servants that guard his room drunk, and then murder him while framing the servants. 

Act 2, Scene 1

Alone, Macbeth hallucinates a vision of a dagger. After some deep thought, he takes his own from its sheath, casting away any last hesitations and goes to commit the act. 

Act 2, Scene 2

Lady Macbeth has done her part, the servants are drunk and asleep on the job. Macbeth enters, having killed the king, but is in complete shock. He can’t cover up the evidence because he is too shaken, so his wife - appalled at his emotions - finishes the job. They argue until a knock at the door forces them to put on their pajamas and pretend they’ve been asleep this whole time. 

Summary

I do not know the ending to this story, so this is all genuine speculation. I believe the witches knew Macbeth would become Thane of Cawdor, but had no idea if he would ever become king – that was a seed they planted in his head, knowing the temptation would be too great for even the noblest of men. It seems though he would have not succumbed, had he never told his wife of the prophecy. He also might have backed out again, but I think the hallucinations of the dagger are something supernatural to bring him back on the path to death.

Some quotes that I think apply to the morals/themes of this story so far:

It has often been said that power corrupts. But it is perhaps equally important to realize that weakness, too, corrupts. Power corrupts the few, while weakness corrupts the many – Eric Hoffer; the idea of power almost corrupts Macbeth, but he is too noble indeed; however, his wife is not and his weakness to his wife is his real downfall.

Bad company corrupts good character – Menander; I believe this also adequately relates to his wife.

Feedback Thoughts

I have taken one writing class, and that was more than a few years ago in my junior year of high school. It was a poetry/creative writing class, and we didn't receive feedback - only grades and criteria met checklists. I think I would have liked that class more had the teacher offered input on my writing; so I am glad I will get some here, as I have little experience in creative writing.

A Simple 5-Second Habit to Rewire Your Harshly Self-CriticalBrain

This will be one of my first more or less negative responses to an article, maybe I woke up on the wrong side of the bed, but I did not like this article. I do appreciate it, and advocate for the message it promotes; many times when my best friend has cheated on her diet I tell her to just focus on the next meal, and when she eats healthy food to remember to feel good about it. For myself, I associate the small victory method of combatting self criticism to goal making. Instead of one large goal, I break it down into several small segments that I get fulfillment out of when I check them off the list. Anytime I skip the gym, I just remember that tomorrow I can try again and when I do go I feel so happy that I am more motivated to get back on track - and that feeling follows me when I end up skipping again and getting into a slump, the memory of success motivates me to try again. However, REBS (reality based self congratulation) in itself doesn't make sense to me as an acronym, and when I googled REBS I received an image of a military truck

The Rapidly Emplaced Bridge System

Beyond the weird acronym, the author repeatedly stated that it was a science based system but provided no related science based evidence. There was minimal explanation of how your brain works, but where are the sources? I know the author has a PhD, but no degree-holding individual is exempt from providing evidence for their claims (I know its not a super serious article but more of a motivational piece, it just kept nagging at me since they were using that specific phrase).

As I said, this review is particularly negative. I think some of that stems from the fact I already use the methods given in the article and that I am a person who, if I am reading an article that claims science-based anything I want the science-based proof to back it up. The message was great, and very similar to the Growth Mindset article, but the presentation was lacking (in my opinion).

Seven Ways to Crush Self-Doubt in Creative Work

I am very familiar with self doubt, I was filled with it in writing my first story here. It didn't turn out the way I expected, I was unsure if I had adequate use of various words or descriptions, and overall was worried it just wasn't good. Like the author, I have a lot of self doubt with my art - often it doesn't come out the way I wanted it to in my head, and then I just quit the painting all together. I once had a painting I spent five years working on and still didn't finish (my roommate accidentally broke it, I try to see that as a more or less of a blessing - if he hadn't have broken it I would have never started over).

Comparing myself to others, I would agree, is more harmful than beneficial. After other students Favorite Places posts started rolling in I found myself comparing my hippie-philosophical post and seeing it as more silly rather than meaningful. I also found regret that I have not traveled much (yet). I had to remind myself that it isn't something that can be compared, that is really how I feel and I shouldn't compare what I enjoy to what others enjoy. Also - I have plenty of time and plans to travel to more places and fine new favorite spots!

Another relation to art is abandoning the perfectionism - I didn't like the end result, and so I would just add it to the pile of finished art to never be hung on the walls. I don't feel perfectionism pressure in my academic life as much though, because the pressure of deadlines outweighs it; I might not be happy with the way a lab report looks, but since it's due I'm happy that I just completed it.

This class is definitely a test of vulnerability, because I am putting my original-first-impression thoughts out for anyone to see in addition to trying a new thing - creative story telling. The saying is true, that you are your worst critic. While I can think of some pretty brutal things about my own work, none of those thoughts ever come up when reading someone else's; so the same is probably true of someone reading my work.

As I've posted here and many other time - small goals are my life blood, and I have yet to find a negative consequence to making them as opposed to making large ones (so long as I don't forget the big picture along the way).

The sixth point in this article sums almost the entirety of the previous one; make small achievements and reward yourself for them. If you fail, it is just an opportunity to do better next time.

As you can probably tell from my blog - I talk a lot and have no problem striking up and maintaining a conversation. This is actually an insecurity of mine, because I see others who are quiet and self reflective and a whole grass is greener thing comes into mind and I become envious. Often I feel my lack of filter is a downside and (as with vulnerability) leaves me exposed because I am more or less an open book (and, where some people clam up when they are nervous - I verbally throw up, it's hard to stop talking). As the author tried to be more serious in an effort to squash his goofy/creative side, he was less happy but found he thrived when he was himself. I think the same can be said for myself, that I am happier when I am myself (seems like an obvious statement, but I believe most of us struggle to accept who we are).

Topic Brainstorm

1. Diseases: I was thinking of writing stories pertaining to my major by finding myths about diseases and creating stories about them. Possibly from the disease's point of view, the disease as an entity instead of a microbe, or stories about people infected by diseases that were thought to be cursed by witches/Salem era stories of people who went mad and killed "witches" that were actually innocent - which brings a whole component/idea of intertwining the supernatural with diseases somehow. I could even do a storybook about major supernatural beings and the story of their changes in a medical/magical standpoint i.e. the stages a werewolf goes through after being bitten and then monthly cycles, vampires, zombies or any monster that appears on the TV show Supernatural (one of my favorites). This could be supplemented by finding stories about the origin of monsters. Here I just searched for the word "disease" and found many stories with the word "disease" appearing 28 times. This link is a search for the term witch, which wow there is a lot of information on witches - I definitely would have to spend some time sorting through it. This link is the shortest in the search engine result for vampires. Here is a link I would need for werewolf information.

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2. Underworld/Dante's Inferno: I know it has been used a lot, but it is such an interesting idea. I haven't read Dante's Inferno but knowing how famous it is there is an ample supply of stories that I could use to relate my own version of the layers of hell. One idea that could be explored how a person has to go through the layers of hell, varying degrees depending on their crimes, before they can get to heaven or reincarnation depending on their outcome of the trials (kind of like going to jail/prison and then getting out to experience freedom or commit the same crimes until you learn your lesson). I am not sure if I would use the Underworld or Dante's Inferno because from what I understand, the Underworld is basically a recreation of Dante's Inferno or vise versa.

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3. Cupid: I learned about the story of Cupid and Psyche and fell in love with its complexities. The weird way Cupid became her husband, Psyche's family betrayal and the trials she had to go through. It was one of very few Greek stories that had a happy ending. I didn't know till I looked at this link that the story paralleled with Beauty and the Beast - my least favorite Disney movie because it's basically stockholm syndrome.Here is a link with ample information about it.

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4. Shakespeare: I loved the movie versions of Hamlet and Romeo & Juliet, and I made a short film depicting the story of A Midnight's Summer Dream for a senior project in high school. There are so many weird, tragic, and funny stories he has come up with that I like the idea of further exploring his work; although, this would be one I would be curious as how to go about. Can I really just research Wikipedia plots of the stories as this link says?

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Week 2 Story: A Shuffle in the Night

In the distance, he hears laughter. He ponders, who would be laughing out here? The sun is setting on the path, an unofficial path he has made from the numerous trips taken on the same route, to the same destination. The laughter is closer now, and he looks up, oh - it's just a crow. There are not normally crows on this path.

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It is a two day trip, and it's getting too dark to see anymore. The forest is less comforting tonight, he feels that he is being watched and builds a fire a little dimmer than usual in the small cove of the forest, just mere feet from the path.

***

Not much time had passed when he awoke to hear the shuffling of feet. Who would be walking here, who even knows this path is here? Through his blanket and past the snuffed fire, he sees, thinking, an old woman?, dragging a large bag. He could lay still, hide beneath his covers - but she would see him in passing. Rather than wait to be found he decides to approach her - but not without finding out as much as he can beforehand.

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She is in rags, a mix of hides and fur, and upon further observation, carrying a knife still wet with blood. 

This discovery sends the hair on his neck straight up. But what else can he do? Beyond the path, the forest is too dense to travel through... and besides, she is getting closer.

Any attempt now to leave would be clearly heard by her. Thinking fast, he jumps on to the path to create an illusion of control. What are you doing, on this path, in the middle of the night? After several moments, his question is responded too - but the woman still does not show her face. My child is in this bag, he has succumbed. 

He is stricken, frozen, unable to respond. Is she telling the truth, and does he want to know, if not, what is the truth? Eyes never leaving the knife, he says I... am sorry... Can I do anything to help? More silence, more awkward moments that feel like eternity. He realizes that in all this time his adrenaline hasn't allowed him to notice the foul smell present, the bag? he wonders - but suddenly she attacks him.

She lunges with the knife and as he falls the hood comes off, this is no woman but the shredded remains of what was once a person. She has only one eye, the other an exposed socket and no nose, her lips are gone and only show bloodied teeth. Shreds of the skin left flail during the assault, he takes her arm holding the knife right as it is about to be plunged into his chest and her arm comes off. He wrenches the knife from her somehow still grasping hand and cuts off her head, or what was left of it.

The air is suddenly still, the only noise is his heavy breath. He stares at the few stars he can see past the tree. After several moments, he stands. Legs wavering, he manages to walk to the bag and cut it open - what he finds, makes bile rise in his throat. A child, a boy, but with flesh ripped from his body. Bites taken out of his limbs. He is not the one who was rotting, he was not the source of the smell, he has been too recently killed.

*** 

He is exhausted, having run for the rest of the trip home with no stopping. How can he rest, or ever feel safe again on that path. He sees the clearing, the familiar opening to his village they will know what to make of what happened he thinks. In the distance, he sees the backs of his mother and brother. Relief floods him as he finds comfort in their presence, until the wind brings a smell to his nose that runs his blood cold. Before they turn, he already knows what awaits him. His hands clench the knife.

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Reading Notes: Supernatural

Supernatural: A Teton Ghost Story by Katharine Berry Judson

Source: The Origin of Spoopy

The tone is set with a description of the path and an ominous presence set by the hooting owl. I say ominous, because there is a certain mystery as first it is described "someone" making a sound, only to realize it is an owl.

More visual descriptions to cue in the malicious nature of the settings, a woman is screaming but the protagonist hides beneath his blankets - maybe indicating he is too afraid to answer the call?

Soon, the assumed source of the screaming approaches; but there are still questions because the protagonist cannot see her face.

Laying (assumed to be) paralyzed by fear, he plays unconscious or maybe dead as the woman tests the legitimacy of this unmoving figure. She calls his bluff with a knife, and he folds.

Though his charade failed, he seemingly won the ambiguous battle as the woman retreated into the forest. When morning comes, proof of the eerie encounter lays near.

The following night, a new sound arose - singing. When he approached the singer (maybe having learned from his mistake in hiding) he denied having food. Again, his bluff was called and he gave food to the ghost.

Upon sharing his meal with the ghost, the ghost shared a view of what was underneath his clothes - nothing but bones. After revealing his lack of muscle mass, the ghost then challenges the protagonist to a wrestling match - to which, if the ghost loses, the protagonist will kill his enemies and steal some horses.

Source: That Escalated Quickly

The protagonist agrees but first wants to stoke the fire, and upon finishing his task he is ambushed by the ghost. During the struggle it was found that the ghost was weaker the closer it was to the fire - but the fire was going out, making it stronger. In a last attempt to save himself, the protagonist kicks brush into the fire, setting it ablaze and manages to win the match - the prophecy comes true.

Afterthoughts 

What is the moral of the story? Is he a cautious man, or is he a selfish man? How would this story have played out had he sought out the woman or been honest with the ghost?

Source: Prepare for Skeleton War

Reading Options

The Dead Mother

I first picked Russian Folklore, because of their stereotypes for being tough and hardcore I was curious what their stories were like. I was not disappointed, beginning with the introduction; ghost stories, vampires, and other tales of the "undead." My three favorite genres (in no order) are supernatural, sci fi, and dystopian. I read the first story “The Dead Mother” and wow, can you say creepy(pasta)? These are stories I definitely look forward to further exploring - they are short and to the point but could be re-embellished with so many new details and twists.

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The Little Mermaid

Next I looked for Danish stories, because I wanted to find The Little Mermaid. I had heard that the original story was pretty brutal. Over the years I also have heard that the reason for the happy ever after is that in American culture, we like a happy ending. Whereas in other parts of the world they want a realistic ending . However… this was a very long story. While I do intend on reading it at some day, that day is not today. (Maybe I’ll listen to it as my first audio book).

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Rumpelstiltskin

Finally, I looked down the list and saw the four Grimm entries. After clicking the first one, I decided to read Rumpelstiltskin and for the life of me I cannot figure out the moral of the story. Don’t sell your children would be a good guess. Maybe that history repeats itself, if I was going for a stretch.

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