Macbeth Act 5: Scene 1 - 7

Here are some images I found in Act 5. "This disease is beyond my practice: yet I have known those which have walked in their sleep who have died holily in their beds." (Doctor, page 208) This quotation is after the doctor and the lady-in-waiting have watched Lady Macbeth act very strange while sleep walking. This quotation shows some significance because it can relate to two pieces of imagery. It mentions sleep as well as disease. With the disease, I'm not sure whether the doctor meant for this situation to be a physical one or a mental. I guess it works for both. But, with sleep, it goes to show that Lady Macbeth doesn't receive all the benefits of sleep even though she is completely unconscious. Most likely created by all the guilt that is put on her shoulders. Another quotation, "Meet we the med'cine of the sickly weal, and with him pour we, in our country's purge, each drop of us." (Caithness, page 212) This is when the lords meet and decide what to do now that Macbeth has plagued their nation under his rule. Basically, what this quotation is saying is that Malcolm, the rightful heir to the throne, will heal their 'sickly' country and they are all worth giving up their lives to help bring Macbeth to justice. The significance of this quotation is that Scotland is sick or 'injured' and it needs some healing. Also, the lords say that they are willing to shed some 'blood' in order to help make Malcolm become king. So, in the end, there were some of the many images found in Act 5 of Macbeth.

Macbeth Act 4: Scene 3

Here are some images I found in the reading. " With an untitled tyrant bloody-sceptred, when shalt thou see why wholesome days again..." (Macduff, page 186) With this quotation, it is a conversation between Malcolm and Macduff. And, basically, Macduff is telling Malcolm that he really thinks that Macbeth is becoming a tyrant and that he wonders when they are going to see the 'wholesome' days once more. But, with the imagery, it describes Macbeth as an untitled tyrant bloody-sceptred, which would basically mean that Macbeth has suffered from 'mental injury' that has corrupted his mind by his gain of power and murderous deeds. And, finally, two more quotations of imagery I found, "... this noble passion, child of integrity, hath from my soul wiped the black scruples, reconciled my thoughts to thy good truth and honour." (Malcolm, page 188) "... her abjure the taints and blames I laid upon myself, for strangers to my nature." (Malcolm, page 188) Both of these quotes are spoken by Malcolm to Macduff. With the first one, he's saying that because of Macduff's noble passion, it has wiped out all of Malcolm's black and 'shadow'-like suspicions from his soul. So, he's thanking him. And, in the second quotation, Malcolm is telling Macduff that he is going to discard all of the negative and bad comments that he has said about himself. They are 'strange' or foreign to him now.

Macbeth Act 4: Scene 1-2

Here are some images that I found in the reading. "Hariper cries: 'Tis time, 'tis time." (3rd Witch, page 158) This quotations is right at the beginning of the Act. It is the three witches surrounding a fiery cauldron, mixing potions, and casting spells. The significance of this quotation is that the 3rd Witch says "Tis time, tis time" twice, which can easily be seen as a 'double' image. Another quotation I found, "Double, double toil and trouble; fire burn and cauldron bubble." (All Three Witches, page 158) This quotation occurs in the same scene as the first quotation. They are chanting rhythmic rhymes by casting more and more spells. This is obviously an image of 'double' because one: they say double twice and two: they say this chanting phrase more than once in the scene. And, finally, "But yet I'll make assurance double sure, and take a bond of fate: thou shalt not live, that I may tell pale-hearted fear it lies, and sleep in spite of thunder." (Macbeth, page 164) This quotation is when Macbeth has confronted the Witches and demanded more knowledge about their prophecies and apparition. And, after he has gained more information from the Witches, he says that after Macduff has been killed, he'll be able to relax and even sleep through the thunderous storm. This quote is significant because it has two images, which are double and sleep.

Macbeth Act 3: Scene 4 - 6

Here are some images I found in the reading. "Hence, horrible shadow! Unreal mock'ry, hence!" (Macbeth, page 140) For this quotation, Macbeth has been seeing the ghost of Banquo at their dinner party. However, everyone else has no idea what Macbeth is doing or what he is seeing. By this point, Lady Macbeth has been trying to reenforce the fact that Macbeth acts like this all the time and that there's no need to become alarmed. But, pretty much, this quote is Macbeth telling the ghost of Banquo or this 'shadow' to go away. Another quotation, " Did he not straight, in pious rage, the two delinquents tear, that were the slaves of drink and sleep?" (Lennox, page 150) This is when Lennox is talking to the other lords about several of the most turn of events that have taken place. But, with this quotation, Lennox is asking the lords if Macbeth did the right thing by killing the two 'murderous' servants, that were drunk and lacking of 'sleep', right after he found Duncan dead. Lennox believes that it was a very noble and wise decision. And, finally, "The cloudy messenger turns me his back..." (Lord, page 152) With this quotation, the lord is taking about how this 'cloudy' or shadow/mysterious messenger turned up and gave him a message from Macduff saying that he will not attend Macbeth's gathering. Not only is the messenger mysterious but other characters and other events can easily be seen as the same... 'cloudy'.

Macbeth: Act 3: Scene 1 - 3

Here are some images I found in the reading. "Hie you to horse: adieu, till you return at night." (Macbeth, page 112) Basically, this quote is when Macbeth is telling Banquo to hurry off to horse, do whatever he needs to accomplish, and then hurry back in time for the formal dinner that he just invited him to. The significance of this quote is that Macbeth is trying to display himself to Banquo as a likable character and that he can trust him. But, in reality, Macbeth has other thoughts for Banquo. Instead of treating him to a nice dinner, he plans on hiring assassins to kill Banquo and his son so that the prophesy will not come true. (Macbeth's 'darker' side) Another quote I found, "...upon my head they placed a fruitless crown..." (Macbeth, page 114) This is when Macbeth is all alone and thinking to himself. He begins to think about the witches and their prophesy and how Banquo's children will be king. So, he comes to the conclusion that sometime during his time of power, he'll be overthrown. So, the whole 'fruitless crown' thing basically means that he just the stand in King. And, he doesn't like that thought. (I think that one somewhat works with planting) And, finally, another quote I found, "So is he mine: and in such bloody distance, that every minute of his being thrusts against my near'st of life..." (Macbeth, page 118) This is when Macbeth is trying to convince the murders that Banquo is an enemy and he needs to be taken care of. This is significant because even though they're friends, he would rather order assassins to kill Banquo and his son so that he doesn't get overthrown instead of letting things play out. He wants control over his fate. (This is a 'bloody' injury in his mind)

Macbeth: Act 2: Scene 1 - 4

Here are some images that I found throughout the reading. "Their candles are all out." (Banquo, page 72) This is at the beginning of the act, where Banquo is talking with his son, Fleance. They are walking around Macbeth's castle and Banquo notices that all the lights are out and that's it's a very 'dark' night. This quote from Banquo gives the reader a sense that dark events are on the arise. Another image I found, "A heavy summons lies like lead upon me, and yet I would not sleep. Merciful powers, restrain in me the cursed thoughts that nature gives way to in repose!" (Banquo, page 72) This is significant because it talks about how he physically feels like he wants to retire and go to sleep. But, he refuses. He wants to stay awake because he thinks that what he sees in his dreams is far worse than feeling tired. "or art thou but a dagger of the mind, a false creation, proceeding from the heat-oppressed brain?" (Macbeth, page 76) This is important because he's still questioning himself about whether to kill Duncan or not. This is like up to the last minutes before he makes his decision. It's such a tough decision for him that he wonders if he's suffering from some 'illness' or 'disease'.

Macbeth: Act 1: Scene 4 - 7

Here are some images I found in the reading. "I have begun to plant thee, and will labour to make thee full of growing." (Duncan, page 46) Basically, what Duncan is saying here is that he starting "to grow" on Macbeth. He is beginning to like him and he plans on giving Macbeth rewards for his valor. "Come, thick night, and pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell, that my keen knife see not the wound it makes, nor heaven peep through the blanket of the dark, to cry 'Hold, hold!" (Lady Macbeth, page 52) Lady Macbeth is hoping that nothing will stand in her way of her ambitions for power. She wants the 'darkness' to cover her so that she cannot be seen and get away with the cruel deeds that she plans on completing. "He's here in double trust..." (Macbeth, page 60) This is when Macbeth is unsure whether or not he wants to go through with killing the king and he gives to reasons why he shouldn't. The first reason is that he is Duncan's kinsman and subject, which means that Duncan trusts him. And, the second reason is that he should fight off the murderer instead of using the knife and killing the king himself. So, Macbeth is in utter turmoil in his mind at this point.

Macbeth: Act 1: Scene 1 - 3

Here are a few images I found in the reading. "What bloody man is that?" (Duncan, page 26) This is talking about the Sergeant who has been injured in a very recent battle. This is important to Duncan because first, the Sergeant will be able to give him an update on the battle and second, it gives Duncan a visualization of the war that is going on. "So well thy words become thee, as thy wounds; they smack of hour both. Go get him surgeons." (Duncan, page 28) The significance of this passage is that Duncan understands that he must be in pain and that he respects and thanks him for his services and bravery. "Sleep shall neither night nor day hang upon his pent-house lid..." (1st Witch, page 32) What the 1st witch is talking about is that she is cursing the captain of the Tiger to not be able to sleep because his wife insulted her. And, finally, "So withered, and so wild in their attire, that look not like the'inhabitants o'th'earth..." (Banquo, page 34) This is significant because it talks about how the witches look so ugly that they don't even look human. The way they dress causing them to be questioned on how they are.

Film: High Fidelity

How has the visual interpretation of the story changed your impressions of the characters or situations? Do we get a different feeling about the characters themselves or their relationships with each other? To some degree, the film is told from Rob’s perspective, but we are no longer stuck in the tight first-person narration of the novel. We can see for ourselves. How has this changed things?

For me, the visual interpretation gave me a better understanding of the characters and the situations. This is because I'm more of a movie guy rather than a bookworm. Don't get me wrong, the book was an easy read and it created a few images in my head. But, the movie helped me a lot. After watching the film, I felt that Rob was in a little better shape than the Rob I imagined in book. In the movie, he had a decent apartment, and a pretty nice sized record store. From what I imagined Rob in the book, I thought he had was living in a crappy apartment and small run down record store. Also, I thought Rob was a little more sane in the movie than in the book. In the novel, I thought Rob was a weirdo, obsessive, and a very confused person. But, in the movie, Rob was presented in a way that made it seem that he had smart things to say. I thought the casting directors for the movie picked a good cast for the film, especially the women. In the book, I thought Rob and his girlfriends lacked chemistry. In the film, I thought Rob had a little more chemistry between his ex's, but especially with Laura. I saw a better connection between those two. Also, with the novel, I got kind of annoyed with always listening to Rob's thoughts and his point of view. So, by watching the movie and seeing other people's prospectives. All in all, I thought the changes between the novel and the motion picture were good ones. I really enjoyed the film and I thought the book as an easy read. So, both of them had their positives and negatives. But, overall, I would prefer the film.

High Fidelity: Chapters 27-35

Rob seems to have come to terms with who and where he is by the end of the book. What brought this change about? Is it believable? Do you think he had really achieved peace, or are there any clues that he is still conflicted? What do you think of the ending of the book?

By the end of the book, Rob has finally gotten into a position where he can come to terms with himself and the people of the past. He finally accepts who he is now rather than searching his past memories for answers. I think that the main reason why Rob change in the first place was because of the funeral. I think his whole encounter there made him realize things about himself that he hadn't realized before. For instance, after seeing Laura again, I think he realized that in the end... their relationship was not meant to last especially after hearing Laura reject his offer of his marriage proposal. You would think that this would crush his hopes and dreams. However, by the end, Rob is more at peace than he ever was before. I was glad that the end of the book ended more on a positive note rather than a negative because we already had plenty of negative and self-pity throughout the book. I think the atmosphere around Rob at the end benefits him. The ending doesn't give you, "...and they lived happily ever after! THE END" It kind of ends by showing a direction that Rob has chosen... a road untraveled and it ends with you getting the idea of what Rob's life is going to be like from now on.

High Fidelity: Chapters 22-26

In these chapters, Rob admits that he is afraid of death and dying, and especially afraid of the people he loves dying. What role does this fear of death play in his infidelity? Is this a legitimate reason or just another excuse he has made up? What do you think of his response to Linda’s father’s death?

During these chapters, we find out more about Rob. We, as readers, learn that Rob has another reason why his relationships are so short. It is because he has a fear/phobia of death/dying. I have always wondered why Rob thinks of relationships as a necessity and then he keeps breaking up with all these women. I just thought that Rob was a very confusing character. But, after reading about Rob's fears of death, I could understand why his relationships end so quickly. Death is a painful thing, whether you are the person dying or the people that were close to the person that died. So, in Rob's mind, if he distances himself from the people he cares about, the more likely he will feel less pain or possibly no pain at all for them if they die. So, Rob's fear of death plays a huge role in his infidelity. Personally, I think Rob is making up another excuse so that he can sleep with all the women in England. The only way I would think that his fear of death and loses the ones he loves as a legitimate reason is if he didn't try to contact all of his ex-girlfriends. Why would you try to get back in contact with the women you broke up with and see how they're doing if you fear that you would get to close to them and feel bad if they die??? I don't understand Rob. He kind of fails at life. Anyways, I thought it was understandable why Rob responded the way he did to Laura's fathers death because Rob didn't know Laura's father all that well. Also, you could blame Laura a little because she forgot to mention to her father that Rob and Laura broke up. So, Laura's dad died thinking that Laura and Rob were still a couple. All in all, Rob is very confusing. He keeps adding on more excuses to make his life even more miserable. Rob Fails!!!

Top 5 bad ways to break up with someone

#1.) Text

#2.) Through AIM

#3.) Having sex with someone else

#4.) Showing up with someone else and acting like you forgot they forgot to tell you that they were through.

#5.) Having your partner's best friend come up and tell you that the relationship is over.

Top Five Funny/Spoof Movies

#1.) Airplane

#2.) The Naked Gun

#3.) Scary Movie 3 & 4

#4.) Spy Hard

#5.) Wrongfully Accused

High Fidelity: Chapters 14-21

In this section, Rob goes back to speak with all of his ex-girlfriends. What answers is he looking for? Does he get them? What does the outcome of this exercise tell you about Rob?

Within this reading, Rob confronts all of his previous girlfriends to find out why they dumped him or in other words to get a sense from their prospectives how and why their relationship came to a close. These meetings were intended to help Rob's obsession of the past and to finally tell each girl a proper farewell. Like I assumed, the girls moved on and most likely didn't need a proper goodbye from a guy they dated a while ago. But, for Rob's own good, he had to do this because if not, it would drive him insane since he likes to dwell in his past rather than living in the present. So, he eventually makes his way and meets up with all the ex-girlfriends that broke up with him. He finally knows for sure how each one is doing and says a proper goodbye. But, when he just wanted to talk with them, it didn't turn out the way he thought it was gonna be. However, there were a few that did give him the answers he was looking for. For instance, Charlie told him right up front what Rob didn't have while they were together. She said that she knew he felt like they were totally different people. She knew that he thought she was much more beautiful than he was. And, he only thought that way because he didn't have enough self-confidence. This really helped Rob because he got to hear someone else tell him what they thought and how their thoughts compared to his own. Rob is hearing more and more that he doesn't have spectacular qualities that make him stand out. He's average or normal. And, now that he knows that for sure... he might approach life in a different way.

My Top Five: Top Five

#1.) Comedy Movies

#2.) Theme Parks I've been to

#3.) Countries I've traveled to

#4.) Action Movies

#5.) Cars

Popular Mechanics

1.) Scott
2.) He is a manager of local National City Bank
3.) He is about 6'2, 180 lbs, brown hair, and slim but more round than fit.
4.) Suit and tie
5.) Smart, focused, confident, and provides a good steady income
6.) Closed minded, competitive, and doesn't get along with his parents and siblings
7.) He gets angry quickly, usually gets what he wants... so if something stands in his way... he'll do whatever to get what he wants... so, in short... very selfish and greedy.
8.) material objects that he likes. He wants the unwanted...
9.) He hates his parents
10.) He loves money and power.

Scott's POV

So, she left the bedroom, while I was putting my last button up shirt in my suitcase. I fasten my suitcase, I grabbed my trench coat, and looked around to make sure that I'm not forgetting anything that belonged to me. I turned off the bedside lamp and made my way toward the living room. I stood there and saw Claire leaning against the door frame that connected the kitchen to the living room. I saw one more thing that I want that I didn't possess.
"I want the Baby."
But, she refused to hand him over. Since she has been yelling and complaining at me for the past month, I would have left her forever and not bothered her ever again. But, she had to be so stubborn about giving up my son. She told me to get out but I knew darn well that I wasn't gonna leave until I had everything that belonged to me. So, I grabbed my son's arm and didn't let go. I almost had him in my grasp. I felt Claire's grip slipping. So, I tugged with all the strength I had because I knew that I had the money to cover my son's medical expenses if that woman harmed my son. But, she tugged equally as hard and she ripped my son's arm off. The pain was too shocking for my son's brain to comprehend and he died. She didn't listen to me! I will never forgive Claire for killing my son. I know many acquaintances that have studied law. So, I will promise you that Claire will pay for the death of my baby boy!

High Fidelity: Chapters 7-13

Rob is obviously very conflicted about his relationship with Laura. How do you see this reflected in the events that led to his and Laura’s break-up? How is it reflected in the subsequent relationship with Marie? What do you think is going on with Rob? Why is he behaving this way?

Rob is a very confusing guy. He finds attractive women.... sleeps with them... the women want him more... he backs off... women leave him... and he wants them back. That cycle of events constantly comes up with Rob, whether it's a 2 year relationship like Laura or a one night stand like Marie. But, for some reason, Laura's break up has made such a huge impact Rob. Its hard to understand Rob from the outside since he's a very introversive person. Rob needs to stop and look at the bigger picture. He has had way too many bad reasons for getting into relationships. Even with Laura, he wasn't crazy about her. He didn't have a huge crush for her. She was just decent. And, because Laura was only decent, this made him a little uninterested in her and goes out and cheats on her, which wasn't a smart thing to do. Rob doesn't think about the impact of his actions until after the consequences have fallen upon him. And, once Laura left him, he really wanted her. We all share that same feeling. We all want the unwanted. Our curiosity over comes us. With Marie, he starts out liking her, but then... like I said before... she begins to like him and he wants to get out. Rob is the kind of guy that lives in the present (like with relationships) for a short term and then when he thinks about the past... he views it in the long term.

High Fidelity: Chapters 1-6

In this section, we are introduced to Rob at one of his lowest points. What are your initial impressions of him? What do we think about his obsession with music and top 10 lists? In answering this question, look specifically at his recounting of his various break-ups. Examine how all of his relationships are versions of his first, and then consider what the common characteristics of these relationships tell us about Rob. Ultimately, do you sympathize with Rob or not? Do you like him or not?

When I was introduced to Rob, I didn't like him. Even though he's in some pretty low points in his life right now, I'm not feeling the sympathy that I should. After reading about all his relationships, I don't think he went after them the right way and in the proper mindset. For instance, the relationship between Rob and Sarah (i think it was)... both of them decided to date because they were the break ups. What kind of a reason is that? It's a very poor and stupid choice to decide on getting into a relationship with someone else. Also, it's all about sex for Rob. He is a very sexual minded individual. But, even with the women that he actually cared for and loved, he still wasn't playing the cards right. Rob is very self-observant. He always thinks about the things he did and what he could have done. Sometimes, I felt as if Rob was living in the past instead in the now, which is what the women he was with were asking for. But, he didn't give it to them and they moved on. Rob, on the other hand, cannot move on. He is so fixated on the past and his breakups/women that it's eating away at him from inside. And, the only way out of it is to listen to music and to rank things for himself. He feels like he has the authority to rank things because he thinks that his opinion matters and is above all others, which I don't like. That is another thing that I don't like about Rob. He shouldn't pretend to be something he's not. (a man with a greater opinion and higher authority) He should right the wrongs of the past, move one, and make a change in his life. So, in short, I don't like him all that much.

"How to Read" by Nick Hornby

In a few sentences, summarize Nick Hornby's philosophy of reading in this essay. What do you think about this advice? How does it match or not match your reading style? Discuss some boks that have been very enjoyable for you to read and some that have been painful. What made the experience good or bad?

Nick Hornby's main advice about reading books is that they should be enjoyable. He says that if you are not enjoying the book that you are reading, if it causes you to reach extreme boredom, or if it actually hurts you to read that book, then he says to put the book down and to pick another one to read. You don't have to continue reading if it's not enjoyable. He relates reading books to watching TV. If you don't like the television channel you're watching, just pick up the remote and change the channel. According to Hornby, it is the same thing. He also relates in the essay how he loves to read and write and the only way he can pursue his passions is by reading other writers' works. He also mentions that he understands how the perception on reading books is like doing a chore. But, he wants to convince others that it doesn't have to be. It should be a joy.

I think Nick Hornby's advice about reading is great advice. I really think that's how reading should be done. Unfortunately, most of my reading over the course of my life has been reading books for school. Most of the books I was forced to read were not very enjoyable and I wanted to put them down. But, because it was for school, I was unable to do so. The good news is that with the few books I actually wanted to read, I found them enjoyable and I completed them. Like I said in my previous blog, I am not a fan of depressing books. What is the point of reading a book that will make you feel horrible? I don't understand. I prefer stories that present climactic chapters and suspenseful/mysterious characters with interesting concepts. Like Nick Hornby said in his essay, some are fans of the Da Vinci Code, like me! I really enjoy Dan Brown's writing style. I hope that in the future that I will have the freedom to pick out books for myself and that reading becomes a bigger part of my life. But, as of right now, that is not the case.

My Philosophy On Reading

First of all, I am not particularly a book person. However, I have read many books in my life. Most of the books I read are ones that my school assigns me to read. There are only very few books that I have actually wanted to read. Those books are either books that my family or friends suggest or the topic about the book interests me. For example, I listened to the first two Harry Potter Books on audiocassettes. By the way, I am a huge fan of audio books. I get into the book a lot easier for some reason. Speaking of which, I’m listening to an audio book about Walt Disney’s life, which is very fascinating. Also, all of my family has read Dan Brown’s Da Vinci Code as well as Angels and Demons. So, I had to read them, and I loved them both. I wanted to read them before they came out in the movie theaters. I thought Dan Brown’s writing style corresponded with the style of writing that I like very well. All the chapters were short and climactic, which makes the reader want to read even more.

The majority of the books I’ve read I didn’t like very much. Most of those books were the books that my school assigns. It feels like all the books school assigns have to be extremely depressing. For instance, there was one book that I read that had death, depression, suicide, slavery and segregation, curse words constantly through it, and extremely long chapters. I hate long chapters. After a few pages, I would start to drift into daydream land about something not even remotely related to the book. I always ask why we have to read such depressing books. And, my friends who like reading books say that they need those horrible, depressing situations because it makes the great book. I highly disagree. I have read fantastic books that have none of that stuff in it. So, the depressing books would go in the “trash” pile and books like Dan Brown’s and that have that sense of easily creating a visual, movie like image in your head while reading goes into the “quality” pile.