Reading Notes: Macbeth

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Act 2, Scene 3 

A drunk gate keeper fantasizes of being the gate keeper of hell - maybe he doesn't like his job, or the king. Macbeth and friends talk, when suddenly Macduff enters wailing about his discovery - the king is dead! The sons, Malcolm and Donalbain flee in fear for their lives while Macbeth puts on quite a show for how pointless life is now that the king is dead.

Act 2, Scene 4

Ross and an old man speak of the omens and signs that the day the king died was a bad day. Macduff enters, suggesting the sons ran because they were bribed to kill their son with the prize of being king themselves. They also speak of Macbeth being crowned.

Act 3, Scene 1

Banquo ponders the possibility that things are all too good to be true for Macbeth. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth enter and awkward conversation ensues. When Macbeth is alone, he thinks of his fear of Banquo and of the prophecy the witches gave - him a childless king and Banquo a kingless father of kings.  Two murderers are brought to him, and Macbeth makes them believe it is Banquo's fault their lives are so terrible and not his. He orders/asks them to kill Banquo in a way that will leave him with no possible link to the crime, so he can grieve to their mutual friends without suspicion. the murderers agree.

Act 3, Scene 2 

Lady Macbeth starts to feel guilt, all these crimes will be for nothing if she does not feel happy in the end. Macbeth and her chat about how they cannot relax yet, and Macbeth seems to have learned from his mistakes before and tells her she is better left in the dark for this next part. He asks her to make Banquo feel special, as right now it is important that they act normal.

Act 3, Scene 3

The murderers attack Banquo with the help of a third man. During the struggle the torch lighting the area goes out, and on his dying breath Banquo tells his son to flee. The murderers have failed half of their duty, and leave to go warn Macbeth.

Act 3, Scene 4

The first murderer informs Macbeth that though Banquo is dead, his son escaped. Macbeth is troubled but knows his son is no threat at the moment like Banquo was. He returns to entertaining his guests when suddenly he sees the Ghost of Banquo in his chair. He starts to freak out, insisting someone is in the chair everyone else says is empty. His wife tries to cover for him, and to him berates him for freaking out over something so silly as a hallucination. After composing himself, he apologizes to his guests for his outburst. The ghost returns, Macbeth freaks out, Lady Macbeth makes fun of him, and the ghost leaves. After this repeated onslaught of craziness, Lady Macbeth orders everyone to leave. They discuss his outbursts and he says he is suspicious of Macduff, but it is late and he will see the witches tomorrow to find out more information. He thinks it will be equally hard to go back to being good as it is to keep killing (but I guess he's gonna keep on keepin on).

Act 3, Scene 5

The witches leader is pissed, apparently they told Macbeth his prophecy without her permission. But all will be well, as he is coming tomorrow and they can right their wrong. They will make him crazier with more illusions. The witches talk trash on Macbeth, that he is spoiled and will mock death like only a fool would.

Act 3, Scene 6

Lennox think's Banquo's son must have murdered him, since he his no where to be found. Here he mentions how great of Macbeth it was to kill those two servants before they even woke up. But apparently all do not see Macbeth is so great, as Macduff and Malcolm are seeking alliances to overthrow Macbeth. Macbeth had ordered Macduff to return and he refused. Lennox ends things by saying Macduff should return, and free them from the bad king that is Macbeth.

Act 4, Scene 1 

The witches are busy making a charm when Macbeth enters, demanding answers. They make an apparition appear that can read his thoughts. One tells him to beware Macduff. A second apparition appears, stating he should fear no man born of a woman. The third says that he will never be defeated until Birnam Wood comes against him at Dunsinane Hill. As Macbeth demands to know if Banquo's children will reign, he is once again met with Banquo's ghost. The dead Banquo is happy to show Macbeth that at least 8 of his descendants will rule. Finding out from Lennox that Macduff has fled, he is angry that he did not act on his impulse when he had the chance and vows to be impulsive in the future.

Act 4, Scene 2

Lady Macbeth expresses anger that Macbeth is gone and Ross tries to ease her nerves that Macbeth knows what he's doing. Lady Macbeth talks of him being dead, and tells her son that Macbeth is a traitor. A messenger interrupts their conversation to warn them that something bad comes this way, and they should leave while they can. The murderers enter soon after, and man oh man are they angry. They stab Lady Macbeths son for being the son of a traitor, as they say Macbeth is. Lady Macbeth flees as she is chased by the murderers, carrying her dead son.

Topic Research

Here I explored Macbeth on Wikipedia and I have an idea to write a story about Lady Macbeth being behind all the mayhem. Unlike Macbeth, she has no hesitation to killing the king to become queen herself, and that made me think of her scheming with the witches to entice her husband to commit the murder and tell the story from her point of view as a villain. It will tell the entire story, in a much more condensed form - This could be an entire storybook in itself broken up as:

Introduction: Lady Macbeth's unhappiness with her status, meeting the witches and asking them to help her become queen (starting out without malice).

• Link for witches:
• Sacred Texts
• British Library

1. She receives the letter confirming the witches have started the chain of events and becomes malicious. Here she plots, and then commits the act with her husband, continuously manipulating him to keep killing others

2. She is haunted by the same ghosts that Hamlet is, where they guilt her for manipulating him and pointing out she is still worthless even as a queen - will she feel guilt? Rage? I'm not sure yet.

• Links for ghosts:
• Sacred Texts
• British library

3. Hamlet kills himself instead, and she is left with the aftermath. Once revealed, they mistake her for a witch rather than someone who asked witches for help and they burn her at the stake.

• Salem witch trials:
• Wikipedia

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Feedback Strategies

Be a Mirror 

by Gravity Goldberg 

Being specific is beneficial for feedback because generalizations can be broad and intimidating, just like large plans versus small goals. Specific feedback gives someone a task to do. In the military, it wasn’t “this room is dirty, clean it” it was “your bed isn’t made” or “the floor needs to be mopped”. I’m not sure why that’s what I thought of when I hear “be specific” but it’s similar in direction.

The second quality was a great point also. For story feedback pointing out what isn't there, is again, a general/broad term and not as helpful. “Her backstory is missing” verses “can you elaborate why she did this”. Although, I’m not sure if that's a great understanding of their point (the author of the article).

Process can apply to the flow of the story, commenting on someone’s ability to transition and how these moments can be more fluid.

The fourth quality also can apply to transition, because it’s making sure things can transfer. However, their example didn’t really clarify what they meant by it (to me).

The ending is the best advice by far, being unbiased is the only way you should give feedback IMO. I might dislike sappy romance stories, but many people do not and therefore I should either give feedback as someone who likes these stories or focus on the story telling method verses whats being told.

Why do so many managers avoid giving praise? 

By Jack Zenger and Joseph Folkman

This one caught my eye because one of my first jobs at Best Buy focused on giving praise as much as they could to their employees who did well, verses now as an IT Specialist we only receive feedback if we did something wrong.

Just as puppies and babies respond better to positive feedback, I think adult humans do too. Negative feedback is more constructive, but I believe that takes a certain mindset to appreciate whereas most people will appreciate positive feedback.

Overall, I found the feedback gallery the most helpful - but that's probably because it's about this class and had great examples written by students who had previously taken it. I have a hard time with confronting people, but I don't think I will struggle here; I find critiquing paintings (generally my own) easy to do in a positive/constructive way - and isn't writing just another form of art?

From the article: The Six Qualities of Good Feedback

Week 3 Story: Empathy Meets Narcissism

My mother always told me, that I am not great unless I do great things, and that I cannot do great things if I do not see and appriciate the great things others do. Though she never told me the prophecy that urged her to always remind me this, I always wonder what that prophet said.

***

It is a sunny day, here in the forest. I have many dates planned, there are so many wonderful women who find an interest in me that I cannot decide on just one. Their interest is a wonder to me in itself, as I am just one man; but, any relationship whether platonic or more is a relationship to have as all people have something to offer. However, since so many of these beautiful women women like my appearance - maybe I am more than just one man? Maybe, I have something to offer with my looks alone?

His thoughts are interrupted. As he passes a pond, he notices something strange.
What is this? 

He attempts to wave at the person in the pond, but the person does not respond as they stare in adoration.

It is just a pond, but if it is just that, how can someone be on the other side? 

He ponders, as this person touches the surface, making the water ripple. The person looks as if it is trying to embrace the surface, even try to kiss it.

It is as if he doesn’t know I am here, and yet there is something so familiar about this stranger in this weird pond… And it is not that it is a stranger, it is me! This must be evil magic of some kind. 

He runs away, frightened by the realization.

***

At home, he confronts his mother. 

Mother: Empathus, what is wrong? You look so distressed?

Empathus: I was in the forest, and upon looking in a pond I saw myself in another world!

Mother: I was afraid one day something like this would happen, please, sit down.

Empathus takes a seat.

Mother: Many years ago, when you were born, a prophet told me that you would do many great things in life and live a long wholesome life - but only if you did not discover yourself.

Empathus: what could that even mean?

Mother: I am afraid it is this occurrence is what was foretold.

Empathus: So it is simple, I will never enter that forest again.

Mother: No! Those who seek to change their fates always meet them tenfold. Remember Uranus? Remember Cronus? They tried to stop the inevitable! Had they allowed events to unfold naturally, maybe they would have survived their prophecies.

Empathus: Then what am I to do?

Mother: There is nothing more you can do, but discover yourself. See what this portal shows you, and learn from it.

***

Back in the forest, Empathus finds the pond once more.
Alright, Inevitable, what have you to reveal. 

Within the pond, he can now hear himself speak in the otherworld. He hears himself speak of adoration for his own face, yet act in anger and melancholy that he cannot be with the one person worthy of his affection - himself. His once young reflection starts to fade, becoming old and grey. Starved and dying, he disintegrates into nothing, alone.

This, this cannot be my fate. My face is not my worth, nor is anyone’s face. Life means more than a face. My life, my worth, is deeper than my flesh, and I cannot prove my worth beneath my flesh without virtuous action. This was the lesson to be taught, that I must know true till the end of my days. 

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Author’s Note:

The idea came to me to make Narcissus the opposite of himself, as humble person who values others more than himself as his mother raised him to be, as she feared the prophecy. Instead of narrating it just from that perspective alone, I chose to tell a story from the other side of his reflection - sort of like a one way glass that is a portal into a parallel but opposite universe; he is humble, and instead of falling in love with his reflection he sees what he could be if he had discovered himself as the prophecy had claimed. Though his mother did her best to raise him right, by not revealing the prophecy she didn’t give him all the knowledge to handle his “fate” the best way he could. Many greek stories have characters try to avoid “fate” and things are much worse. Like Uranus and Cronus, if they had just accepted that their sons would become rulers in their place one day maybe they wouldn't have been castrated or imprisoned. I decided to have Empathus be a humble person, but that he would still grow up to be a narcissist if he did not see the consequences to understanding beauty is only skin deep (having many girls ask him out started to have an effect on how he viewed himself). I decided to name him Empathus because empathy is more or less the opposite of narcissism. In this story, unlike greek mythology, fate and prophecies are not so much a guarantee but a warning of what will occur if actions are not corrected.

The original story can be found here.

Reading Notes: Ovid’s Metamorphoses - Narcissus, Part B

Ovid's Metamorphoses: Narcissus, translated by Tony Kline (2000).

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A woman, one among many, is rejected and curses Narcissus to only be able to love himself. One day when Narcissus is walking in the forest, he sees his reflection in water and thinks it is not himself but the most beautiful person in existence. He questions who it could be, one of the gods probably. Any time he tries to drink water, touch the person below it, or kiss the image the ripple destroys the person’s appearance. He realizes it is in fact himself, and he becomes depressed when he cannot be with himself. So distraught, he stops eating and sleeping - never taking his eyes off the reflection of the pool. No one else has ever felt this love, and no one else has ever felt this pain Narcissus expresses as he aches to be with himself. He cries about the cruelty of his reflection appearing to respond to his approach, only for the image to be distorted when he finally makes contact with it. He protests about the fact that it is a one sided conversation, and that he can only see smiles or tears returning his own.

“My riches make me poor” - his own beauty is his downfall. No matter what he wishes to do, he stays and stares at his reflection. Echo, a forest nymph who was once rejected by him, finds him at the end of his existence suffering and dying. Once mad, she now feels pity and sees him off to the other side. When his family comes to collect his remains, they only find a flower in its place.

The Narcissus Flower

Reading Notes: Ovid’s Metamorphoses - Io, Part A

Ovid's Metamorphoses: Io, translated by Tony Kline (2000)

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Zeus (Jupiter) has the hots for the help (priestess of Hera -Io), and Hera (Juno) once again overreacts and attacks the girl - letting her shady husband more-or-less off the hook.

Jupiter, having no ability to tolerate rejection, kidnaps Io as she flees from him. Juno notices something is different in the air and when she also notices her husband is gone, she knows it is no coincidence. Feeling her presence upon him, Jupiter quickly turns Io into a cow (Moo-O). Enter Juno, who appreciates how pretty this cow is asks where it came from and Jupiter feeds her some nonsense about the cow coming from earth. Juno retorts with, Well if this is just a mere earth cow then you won’t mind if I keep her? Jupiter does what only Jupiter would do - gives his stolen lady-friend-turned-heifer to his wife.

Knowing Jupiter has pulled some metamorphosis schemes before, Juno charges Argus to keep an eye (or hundred) on the cow. Apparently Io had not noticed until now that her hands were hooves, and upon seeing her reflection ran away scared into the night.

Throughout some clever pictionary, Io was able to tell her family that she was in fact the cow they found. Upon the news, her father is more upset that he has to find a bull instead of a boyfriend for his daughter. Argus finds her and rips her away from her family, guarding her even more securely this time.

Mercury (one of Jupiter's many children born not from Juno) has been tasked by Jupiter to kill Argus. Dressed like a shepherd, Mercury converses with Argus until he finds a moment to poke him with his sleepy-stick. The moment Argus is asleep. Mercury cuts off his head. Devastated, Juno takes his eyes and thus the peacock’s feathers are born.

Io is revealed and in Juno’s grief and anger she sends the Furies after her. After Jupiter finally saw that the girl had been tortured enough (having done nothing wrong too) he begs his wife to end the onslaught by promising he will never go after Io again (only Io). Io’s body is restored, though she will probably never be the same again.