How far is one willing to "go" to get what they desire most?
This question is one that applies itself to Macbeth quite well. Everyone has desires in life, that's undeniable, but it's how far we go to get this "thing" which we desire. Although, as seemingly simple of an idea this is, there is a flaw. The question asks "how far one is willing to go...", so I ask you this, how do we measure this distance to "go"? Whenever this question comes up, people often assume that one would go almost as far as murder to get what they desire, but exactly how far is that? This question is flawed for those who need an idea as to how to judge their distance of want. Luckily, this flaw does not occur within the play of Macbeth. To ask what Macbeth desires most is almost a hypothetical question. He wants what we all want; power. Further more, he wants a great amount of power; to be king. Although, his quest for this power is partially caused by numerous things. Three witches approach him after his battles, and foresee his future of being king, as well as the titles of the "thane of Glamis" and "thane of Cawdor". After being notified by his fellow soldiers that the prophecies of the his title as "thane of Glamis" as well "thane of Cawdor" have come true, he now has even greater hope of being king. Sadly this hope comes to a crushing defeat, after realizing that the position of king could not be his without the murder of the high king himself. It doesn't help that his wife also wants Macbeth to kill the king in order to have this luxurious life in which she feels they have earned. Even with the consultation of his right-arm man; Banquo who says "That, trusted home, Might yet enkindle you unto the crown, Besides the thane of Cawdor. But ’tis strange. And oftentimes, to win us to our harm, The instruments of darkness tell us truths, Win us with honest trifles, to betray ’s In deepest consequence", he still follows through with his intentions. I think that the best way to put this would be through Abraham Lincoln's words in that "If you want to test a man's character, give him power".
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Friday, October 8, 2010
The Charmer Response
How are people transformed through their relationships with others?
In the short story "The Charmer", the older brother Zach creates total chaos within the family. At first the family loves Zach with his charm and postive atmosphere towards the whole family, as said by Winnefred; "He was athletic, won races, amassed trophies. He got lead parts in school plays. He won class elections. And he was beautiful. His face was rugged and laughing; his body was muscular and golden, even in January. He moved with the grace of a tiger. He dazzeld. He shone". Sadly, this love never lasted. It slowly faded away to what was truly underneath this amazing person. It showed that he always has been and will be, a lazy, lying, and decieving person, who is simply living off of and taking advantage of his family. At first, no one notices or sees through these clever lies, and his parents always accept his appologies. Then one day, his parents wised up and took him up on the offer to "be no longer worthy to be called thy son" and make him " one of thy hired servants". But instead, Zach simply packed up all his stuff and left for ever. This then caused the entire family to fall into utter chaos and everyone slowly loses themselves to the pressure. With the exception to Winnifred who at the end of the story had learned how to treat her kids, and instead of simply accepting the appologie, would make her kids fix what they did wrong.
In the short story "The Charmer", the older brother Zach creates total chaos within the family. At first the family loves Zach with his charm and postive atmosphere towards the whole family, as said by Winnefred; "He was athletic, won races, amassed trophies. He got lead parts in school plays. He won class elections. And he was beautiful. His face was rugged and laughing; his body was muscular and golden, even in January. He moved with the grace of a tiger. He dazzeld. He shone". Sadly, this love never lasted. It slowly faded away to what was truly underneath this amazing person. It showed that he always has been and will be, a lazy, lying, and decieving person, who is simply living off of and taking advantage of his family. At first, no one notices or sees through these clever lies, and his parents always accept his appologies. Then one day, his parents wised up and took him up on the offer to "be no longer worthy to be called thy son" and make him " one of thy hired servants". But instead, Zach simply packed up all his stuff and left for ever. This then caused the entire family to fall into utter chaos and everyone slowly loses themselves to the pressure. With the exception to Winnifred who at the end of the story had learned how to treat her kids, and instead of simply accepting the appologie, would make her kids fix what they did wrong.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
The Charmer *Now with Pictures!*
This is a picture that I found that could connect with the short story "The Charmer".
I think that this picture connects well because at a point in the story, Zachery's parents (mostly his father) yell at him. Zach then proceeds to say that he is "no longer worthy to be called thy son" and should be "one of thy hired servants" which was his usual excuse to tear up his parents and make them forgive him. This time was different though, with his dad giving him the options to live up to his words, and actually help around the house, or to just leave.Without even thinking twice, he leaves and hitches rides on trains taking him to small towns where he tries to start a new life, and (as far as we know) fails.
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