In Kinsey’s article the question arises as to why a candidate runs for office. Is it for the good of the people represented, to improve society, and/or make the world “a better place” or is it for purely political reasons – ambition? Kinsey says that we’re told to be ambitious, then we spend all our lives hiding this trait as though it were an embarrassment to possess it. There are many different kinds of ambition…for intellectual, social, or monetary reasons. “But the purest form of ambition is political ambition, because it represents a desire to rule over other people.” (Kinsey). Is this such a bad idea if the world’s people need a ruler to guide and lead them? Throughout time there have been many great leaders whose political ambition changed the course of history for the better….Napoleon, Lincoln, Churchill, Trudeau, Martin Luther King to name a few. Would we have wanted it any other way? Was their political ambition such a bad thing? As Melinda Gates once said, “What great changes have not been ambitious?”.
Kinsey asks how the world would be if Mitt Romney, Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama were born and lived at another time or place. One could only hope that their power would be such that they could still make a difference wherever they were. “Yes, we can!!” Politicians must identify with ordinary people and show that they too are human. In order to deserve being a leader they must also prove that they have something more…the proper qualifications and that little “extra” to merit the position. If “politics is an act” (Kinsey), then politicians are actors performing on a world stage. It is up to the public to decide who is the best actor/actress and deserves “the part” they seek.
Shakespeare’s Macbeth was a fearless, brave soldier who was willing to sacrifice his life for his king and country. I feel that this was the extent of his ambition and he really didn’t want to be king. It was Lady Macbeth’s ambition that forced him to commit the crimes that brought him the crown…crimes he was reluctant to carry out on his own. It was Lady Macbeth’s political ambition that manipulated his actions and eventually brought them both down.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
REDRUM
No, I do not believe that in our day and age someone can get away with murder. First, there is the scientific evidence that can now easily prove who the true murderer is. In the last few years, DNA evidence has played a major role in many nations' criminal justice systems. It has been used to prove that suspects were involved in crimes and to also free people who were wrongly convicted. Many murder suspects who thought they were free have been brought to justice and tried for their crimes, sometimes many years after the fact. There is also an advanced forensic technology technique which can identify fingerprints on metal casing- including bullets and bombs. Criminal investigation bureaus are becoming more sophisticated in tracking down these criminals. Even if a murderer had not been caught or been found not guilty in a trial, there is always a future chance of them being found out because of advances in forensic science.
As in Edgar Allan Poe’s short story, The Tell-Tale Heart, and William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, we can see that murderers can sometimes get away with their crime in the eyes of the law but their conscience will not allow it. There are other eyes following and haunting them because of the murder that was wrongfully committed. Many murderers are so wracked with guilt and remorse that they eventually “crack”, spilling the details to clear their conscience one way or another. I cannot imagine committing a murder and hoping to live a normal life afterwards. Would you ever trust anyone? Would you ever get a good night’s sleep? How would you cope? The psychological implications are neverending.
Therefore I believe that no one in our day and age can absolutely get away with murder. If the police don’t find you, your conscience will punish you and you’ll never be free of your crime.
As in Edgar Allan Poe’s short story, The Tell-Tale Heart, and William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, we can see that murderers can sometimes get away with their crime in the eyes of the law but their conscience will not allow it. There are other eyes following and haunting them because of the murder that was wrongfully committed. Many murderers are so wracked with guilt and remorse that they eventually “crack”, spilling the details to clear their conscience one way or another. I cannot imagine committing a murder and hoping to live a normal life afterwards. Would you ever trust anyone? Would you ever get a good night’s sleep? How would you cope? The psychological implications are neverending.
Therefore I believe that no one in our day and age can absolutely get away with murder. If the police don’t find you, your conscience will punish you and you’ll never be free of your crime.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Sympathy for the Devil
Of all the characters in William Shakespeare’s tragedy Macbeth, I sympathize the most with Macbeth. I feel sorry for everything bad that happens to and is said to Macbeth. In Act I, when the witches prophesize that Macbeth will become the Thane of Cawdor and later the King, it is as though his future is already predicted. Macbeth is so unsure of himself that he listens to and believes the witches prophesies, especially after he becomes the Thane of Cawdor. Then he realizes that perhaps his future HAS already been decided for him... Macbeth probably would have been just as happy to stay being the Thane of Cawdor. We feel sorry for Macbeth as events seem to be beyond his control. The witches’ prophecy of Macbeth becoming King together with Lady Macbeth’s nagging and insistence pushes Macbeth to murder King Duncan.
In Act 2, after having killed Duncan, Macbeth returns to Lady Macbeth horrified because of the blood on his hands, saying “I am afraid to think what I have done”(l. 54). She scolds both his thoughts and his concern for the voice he heard call out. He is so ruled and hen-pecked by his wife, that he weakly does everything she suggests. Poor Macbeth.
Even though Macbeth has committed treason in murdering Duncan, he is shown as a loyal and brave soldier who fights for his country. “I'll fight till from my bones my flesh be hacked. Give me my armor.” (A.5 s.3 l.32-33). I feel pity for this professional soldier who, because of the desires of Lady Macbeth, felt he had to aspire to greater things. Someone else always makes the decisions for him and we feel sorry for this insecure character.
Macbeth’s guilty conscience tortures him so much after Duncan’s murder that when he becomes king, he doesn’t really enjoy his new role. He is full of pain and suffering and torment, haunted by the ghosts in his imagination. At the end of the play, Macbeth loses everything…not only his kingship but also all interest in life itself, especially after Lady Macbeth, the source of his strength, commits suicide. Macbeth is shown throughout Shakespeare’s play to be a tortured soul, a man to be pitied and empathized with.
In Act 2, after having killed Duncan, Macbeth returns to Lady Macbeth horrified because of the blood on his hands, saying “I am afraid to think what I have done”(l. 54). She scolds both his thoughts and his concern for the voice he heard call out. He is so ruled and hen-pecked by his wife, that he weakly does everything she suggests. Poor Macbeth.
Even though Macbeth has committed treason in murdering Duncan, he is shown as a loyal and brave soldier who fights for his country. “I'll fight till from my bones my flesh be hacked. Give me my armor.” (A.5 s.3 l.32-33). I feel pity for this professional soldier who, because of the desires of Lady Macbeth, felt he had to aspire to greater things. Someone else always makes the decisions for him and we feel sorry for this insecure character.
Macbeth’s guilty conscience tortures him so much after Duncan’s murder that when he becomes king, he doesn’t really enjoy his new role. He is full of pain and suffering and torment, haunted by the ghosts in his imagination. At the end of the play, Macbeth loses everything…not only his kingship but also all interest in life itself, especially after Lady Macbeth, the source of his strength, commits suicide. Macbeth is shown throughout Shakespeare’s play to be a tortured soul, a man to be pitied and empathized with.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Lady Macbeth Continues to Rule The Roost (Act III)
In Act III, Scene 1, Lady Macbeth appears briefly as Queen. Her only comment to Macbeth is that she hopes Banquo hadn’t been forgotten on their guest list. No disputes yet…So far so good!! Macbeth shows a strong personality when he discusses his planned assassination of Banquo with the two murderers.
At the opening of Scene 2, Lady Macbeth addresses her husband saying “how now, my lord” (l. 8) and “come on. Gentle my lord,” (l. 27). This is a surprise to me because she seems to be showing respect for him which is unusual for her. Macbeth seems to be showing his weakness of character in saying “Better be with the dead, whom we, to gain our peace, have sent to peace, than on the torture of the mind to lie in restless ecstasy.” He is having second thoughts about the murder of Duncan and his guards and is being tormented by the memory and guilt. Macbeth calls his wife “love” (l. 29), but the love they are now showing for each other is only because they are partners in crime. Macbeth shows he is boss by keeping Lady Macbeth in the dark about his plans for Banquo.
In Scene 4, in front of all their guests, Lady Macbeth tells Macbeth off for not entertaining and welcoming the guests. “My royal lord, you do not give the cheer.” (l. 33-34) When Macbeth speaks to Banquo’s ghost, Lady Macbeth explains to the guests that he has always had this problem. “Sit, worthy friends… Pray you, keep seat.” (l. 53-54) she tells them in a bossy tone. To Macbeth privately, she asks “are you a man?” (l. 58-59). This reminds me of when Cher once said to Sonny, “are you a man or a mouse…squeak up!”. Lady Macbeth compares Macbeth’s hallucinations to “A woman's story at a winter's fire authorized by her grandam. Shame itself!” (l. 65-66). It’s as though she is trying to take away his manhood again. “What, quite unmanned in folly?” (l. 74) she shouts when Macbeth imagines the ghost of Banquo to disappear, again challenging Macbeth’s manhood. Lady Macbeth has no pity for her husband’s apparent health problem and does not want his delusions to spoil everyone’s evening. “'Tis no other; Only it spoils the pleasure of the time.” (l. 98-99). “You have displaced the mirth, broke the good meeting, With most admired disorder.” (l. 109-110) shows again her lack of sympathy to her weak husband. Lady Macbeth dismisses all of the guests on behalf of Macbeth, the king.
Poor Macbeth continues to be “henpecked” by his wife Lady Macbeth who obviously “rules the roost”. Even though Macbeth took the reins on the murder plan of Banquo and his son, Lady Macbeth still comes across as the boss because she constantly gets into his mind and makes him question himself and his actions. She always questions his manhood making Macbeth feel like less of a man. Even in his weaker moments, Lady Macbeth takes advantage of the situation and ridicules him in front of his guests. What a royal B!!
At the opening of Scene 2, Lady Macbeth addresses her husband saying “how now, my lord” (l. 8) and “come on. Gentle my lord,” (l. 27). This is a surprise to me because she seems to be showing respect for him which is unusual for her. Macbeth seems to be showing his weakness of character in saying “Better be with the dead, whom we, to gain our peace, have sent to peace, than on the torture of the mind to lie in restless ecstasy.” He is having second thoughts about the murder of Duncan and his guards and is being tormented by the memory and guilt. Macbeth calls his wife “love” (l. 29), but the love they are now showing for each other is only because they are partners in crime. Macbeth shows he is boss by keeping Lady Macbeth in the dark about his plans for Banquo.
In Scene 4, in front of all their guests, Lady Macbeth tells Macbeth off for not entertaining and welcoming the guests. “My royal lord, you do not give the cheer.” (l. 33-34) When Macbeth speaks to Banquo’s ghost, Lady Macbeth explains to the guests that he has always had this problem. “Sit, worthy friends… Pray you, keep seat.” (l. 53-54) she tells them in a bossy tone. To Macbeth privately, she asks “are you a man?” (l. 58-59). This reminds me of when Cher once said to Sonny, “are you a man or a mouse…squeak up!”. Lady Macbeth compares Macbeth’s hallucinations to “A woman's story at a winter's fire authorized by her grandam. Shame itself!” (l. 65-66). It’s as though she is trying to take away his manhood again. “What, quite unmanned in folly?” (l. 74) she shouts when Macbeth imagines the ghost of Banquo to disappear, again challenging Macbeth’s manhood. Lady Macbeth has no pity for her husband’s apparent health problem and does not want his delusions to spoil everyone’s evening. “'Tis no other; Only it spoils the pleasure of the time.” (l. 98-99). “You have displaced the mirth, broke the good meeting, With most admired disorder.” (l. 109-110) shows again her lack of sympathy to her weak husband. Lady Macbeth dismisses all of the guests on behalf of Macbeth, the king.
Poor Macbeth continues to be “henpecked” by his wife Lady Macbeth who obviously “rules the roost”. Even though Macbeth took the reins on the murder plan of Banquo and his son, Lady Macbeth still comes across as the boss because she constantly gets into his mind and makes him question himself and his actions. She always questions his manhood making Macbeth feel like less of a man. Even in his weaker moments, Lady Macbeth takes advantage of the situation and ridicules him in front of his guests. What a royal B!!
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Lady Macbeth Still Wears The Pants (Act II)
Act 2, Scene II opens with Lady Macbeth announcing that drinking has made her bold and “hath given me fire.”(l. 2). She has drugged the drinks of the grooms so that Macbeth can carry out the dirty deed of murdering Duncan. Lady Macbeth admits “Had he not resembled my father as he slept, I had done’t.”(l. 12-13). Is she using this as an excuse or was this reason given to get her out of committing murder, leaving the dirty deed for her husband to do? She even says “I laid their daggers ready, he could not miss’em”(l. 11-12). It is obvious that Lady Macbeth decided who would do what- she would do the drugging and Macbeth would do the murdering. I think Lady Macbeth is still the boss.
When Macbeth approaches Lady Macbeth who looks at his bloodied hands she seems to be scolding him for what he said “A foolish thought, to say a sorry sight”(l. 24) “What do you mean?”(l. 43) she scolds him again when Macbeth worries about hearing a voice cry out. Lady Macbeth tells her husband off by saying “You do unbend your noble strength to think so brainsickly of things”(l. 48-49). When she gives him instructions to wash up and smear the bloody daggers on the grooms she continues to order him around. When Macbeth refuses her request saying “I am afraid to think what I have done”(l. 54) Lady Macbeth yells “Infirm of purpose! Give me the daggers”(l. 56-57). The act of murder has made Macbeth a wimp and has taken away all of his strength. Lady Macbeth is right there to take over as usual.
When Macbeth seems to be falling apart with guilt, Lady Macbeth tells him “My hands are as red as yours, but I would be ashamed if my heart were as pale and weak.”(l. 66-67). She is saying that she would be embarrassed to be acting in such manner as he. Macbeth is a big baby!! He needs to suck it up and be more of a man (like her)! When she says “Your constancy hath left you unattended.”(l. 71-72) it’s almost as though she is telling him he is losing his mind. “Be not lost so poorly in your thoughts.” (l. 74-75) is a very rude and demeaning way to speak to anybody, let alone your husband! Lady Macbeth is a nasty piece of work!!! I certainly wouldn’t want to cross her.
When Macbeth approaches Lady Macbeth who looks at his bloodied hands she seems to be scolding him for what he said “A foolish thought, to say a sorry sight”(l. 24) “What do you mean?”(l. 43) she scolds him again when Macbeth worries about hearing a voice cry out. Lady Macbeth tells her husband off by saying “You do unbend your noble strength to think so brainsickly of things”(l. 48-49). When she gives him instructions to wash up and smear the bloody daggers on the grooms she continues to order him around. When Macbeth refuses her request saying “I am afraid to think what I have done”(l. 54) Lady Macbeth yells “Infirm of purpose! Give me the daggers”(l. 56-57). The act of murder has made Macbeth a wimp and has taken away all of his strength. Lady Macbeth is right there to take over as usual.
When Macbeth seems to be falling apart with guilt, Lady Macbeth tells him “My hands are as red as yours, but I would be ashamed if my heart were as pale and weak.”(l. 66-67). She is saying that she would be embarrassed to be acting in such manner as he. Macbeth is a big baby!! He needs to suck it up and be more of a man (like her)! When she says “Your constancy hath left you unattended.”(l. 71-72) it’s almost as though she is telling him he is losing his mind. “Be not lost so poorly in your thoughts.” (l. 74-75) is a very rude and demeaning way to speak to anybody, let alone your husband! Lady Macbeth is a nasty piece of work!!! I certainly wouldn’t want to cross her.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Irony, Lies and Double Meanings
Act 2, Scene 3 begins with a drunken Porter knocking and saying “If a man were porter of hell-gate, he should have old turning the key. Knock, knock, knock.”(l. 1-3). This is very comical but also ironic. He talks about being the keeper to the gate of Hell and perhaps he is, with the door to Macbeth’s castle being the gate of Hell. The Porter seems to be waking everybody up and bringing them back to reality after last night’s murder. When he is pretending to admit the farmer to Hell, there is double meaning when he says “Have napkins enough about you, here you’ll sweat for’t.”(l. 5-6) The farmer will not only be sweating because of nervousness but because of the heat. When the Porter invited in the Talor he tells him “here you may roast your goose.”(l.14), meaning he can heat his iron in the flames. The other meaning is that his goose will be cooked or he’ll have to suffer the consequences of ripping people off. It is ironic when the Porter says “this place is too cold for Hell”(l.15-16) since Hell is known to be the hottest place on Earth!
Lennox addresses Macbeth saying “Good morrow, noble sir.” (l. 40) and calling him a “worthy thane”(l. 42). This greeting is ironic because after what Macbeth has done he is anything but noble and worthy. Macbeth’s reply to Lennox that the king is not yet awake is also ironic. The king will never be awoken as he is dead. Macbeth is telling a lie for both he and we know that Duncan is dead. Macbeth does tell the truth when he informs Lennox that the king will be leaving today when asked. “Goes the king hence today?” (l. 47) “He does. He did appoint so.” (l. 48) Macbeth might not be lying here but the king would probably only leave in a coffin, not on his own two feet!! After Lennox describes the strange noises of the night before Macbeth agrees that “'Twas a rough night” (l. 57). There is a double meaning as Macbeth means to say that it was a rough night weather-wise and for him and the now dead Duncan.
When Macduff enters with news of Duncan, Macbeth together with Lennox asks “What’s the matter?” (l.61). We know Macbeth’s question is a lie because he knows full well what is the matter! Macduff is obviously going to tell them about his discovery of Duncan’s corpse. It is ironic that Macduff says murder took place in “The Lord's anointed temple” (l.64) when the Porter has already called Macbeth’s castle the Gate of Hell. Macduff says “Shake off this downy sleep, death’s counterfeit, and look on death itself!” (l. 73-74). Even though everyone is waking up from fake death/sleep, they’ll soon feel like dying themselves when they see Duncan’s dead body. Macduff addresses Lady Macbeth as “O gentle lady” (l. 79) which is very ironic as we know she had a part in Duncan’s murder and has always been anything but gentle. Lady Macbeth lies when she says “Woe, alas! What, in our house?” (l. 82-83) when she is told about Duncan’s murder. Of course she is happy about this and she knows full well it happened in their castle. Macbeth’s comment “Had I but died an hour before this chance, I had lived a blessed time, for from this instant there's nothing serious in mortality.” (l. 86-89) is an ironic display of grief.
When asked why he killed Duncan’s guards Macbeth explains that he did so because of his “violent love” (l. 106) for King Duncan and “Who could refrain, that had a heart to love and in that heart courage to make’s love known” (l.112-115). This is ironic because Macbeth did not have any love for Duncan, only envy.
When Banquo announces that he will fight “Against the undivulged pretense (I fight) of treasonous malice.” (l. 127-128) Macbeth agrees with the others. He is of course lying because that would mean fighting against himself.
Lennox addresses Macbeth saying “Good morrow, noble sir.” (l. 40) and calling him a “worthy thane”(l. 42). This greeting is ironic because after what Macbeth has done he is anything but noble and worthy. Macbeth’s reply to Lennox that the king is not yet awake is also ironic. The king will never be awoken as he is dead. Macbeth is telling a lie for both he and we know that Duncan is dead. Macbeth does tell the truth when he informs Lennox that the king will be leaving today when asked. “Goes the king hence today?” (l. 47) “He does. He did appoint so.” (l. 48) Macbeth might not be lying here but the king would probably only leave in a coffin, not on his own two feet!! After Lennox describes the strange noises of the night before Macbeth agrees that “'Twas a rough night” (l. 57). There is a double meaning as Macbeth means to say that it was a rough night weather-wise and for him and the now dead Duncan.
When Macduff enters with news of Duncan, Macbeth together with Lennox asks “What’s the matter?” (l.61). We know Macbeth’s question is a lie because he knows full well what is the matter! Macduff is obviously going to tell them about his discovery of Duncan’s corpse. It is ironic that Macduff says murder took place in “The Lord's anointed temple” (l.64) when the Porter has already called Macbeth’s castle the Gate of Hell. Macduff says “Shake off this downy sleep, death’s counterfeit, and look on death itself!” (l. 73-74). Even though everyone is waking up from fake death/sleep, they’ll soon feel like dying themselves when they see Duncan’s dead body. Macduff addresses Lady Macbeth as “O gentle lady” (l. 79) which is very ironic as we know she had a part in Duncan’s murder and has always been anything but gentle. Lady Macbeth lies when she says “Woe, alas! What, in our house?” (l. 82-83) when she is told about Duncan’s murder. Of course she is happy about this and she knows full well it happened in their castle. Macbeth’s comment “Had I but died an hour before this chance, I had lived a blessed time, for from this instant there's nothing serious in mortality.” (l. 86-89) is an ironic display of grief.
When asked why he killed Duncan’s guards Macbeth explains that he did so because of his “violent love” (l. 106) for King Duncan and “Who could refrain, that had a heart to love and in that heart courage to make’s love known” (l.112-115). This is ironic because Macbeth did not have any love for Duncan, only envy.
When Banquo announces that he will fight “Against the undivulged pretense (I fight) of treasonous malice.” (l. 127-128) Macbeth agrees with the others. He is of course lying because that would mean fighting against himself.
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