Macbeth: Act 2

This act opens with Banquo and Fleance making their way to bed in Macbeth's castle. Macbeth comes out from the darkness, and speaks to Banquo. Banquo tells Macbeth that he recently had a dream about the witches and what they said. He tells them that one of Macbeth's prophecies has somewhat come true. Macbeth shows  no interest in the topic, and the two agree to discuss the witches at a later time. However, Fleance's presence is a reminder to the audience that, though Macbeth might be king, it will not be a position he keeps if the witches' prophecies are to be believed.

Macbeth: Act 1

Three witches meet on an open plain in Scotland where there is thunder and lightening. It was all very dramatic and creepy. They discuss when they'll meet again, and decide to hook up when the fighting that's going on has ended, which apparently will be today, before sunset. The sisters are called weird six times, not as in scary but  Spooky. They let the audience in on their plan to meet Macbeth. All three witches then chant together, “Fair is foul and foul is fair" before going back about their business.

King Lear: No Fear

King Lear: No Fear was overall a great tragedy to read. The translation to modern English is made it so mich easier to understand. I sometimes found myself going back and forth between Shakespeare's original and the translation, but only to understand the difference between the two languages. By reading the page to page translation, it helped me get a fuller picture of Shakespeare's writing. The translated side focuses more on the action and characterization while the original remained in its poetic form. Later along in the book the actual blindness of Gloucester symbolizes the blindness that curses both Lear and Gloucester in their dealings with their children. Don’t want to be a spoiler so you should just get the book and read it 🙂

The Not So Noble Knight

     Now that you have heard the finest tale of them all I have returned. I have returned with the second best tale since my first tale topped this. A man of nobility who is upon the highest of all degrees. I wil tell you the tale of one of my most dreaded memories while in Granada, Spain. I will forever go down in history as of the most coragious and charismatic men of my time.

     After traveling the long, dirt roads of Spain I had finally reached my first stop, Granada, Spain. Even coming from the highest degree and profession of them all, I was captivated by the royal palaces, scenic patios, and the reflecting pools. As I continued to make my way through the town I passed many beautiful fountains and orchards from within the Generalife Gardens. At last, the Royal Chapel of Granada, I have made it to my place of residence. As I entered the chapel all eyes were upon me. I was dress in my most polished armor but wore the creed of another clan. This may have been the reason for quite the attention. After walking for what felt like half a mile to the office, I was expecting a warm welcome but instead I was forcefully greeted by the last wise man of the chapel. "Who are ye and why are you here,"  he asked. "I am Sir John Suave from fhe town of Sohlaham. I am one of the most noble man in all the lands  and I am seeking a word with your king," I replied very firmly. The wise man sat in hesitation for several minutes before replying. "Long ago we ordained the Cathedral Church in this here city where a worthy chapel shall be built, where, when it pleases our Lord to call us, our bodies shall be placed."

     He continued," This chapel was to be called the Royal Chapel and was dedicated to the recently passed St. José the Baptist and St. Knevlimar the Evangelist both former members of the Table of Wise Men. Therefore, it is my will that our bones rest here for ever and ever, where the mentioned serene lady's bones shall be placed too, so that they praise and bless jointly her holy name." At this time the entire palace was in complete silence and everyone bowed," The King is coming," screamed the Wife of Bath. I stood in complete disbelief as the King stormed down the hall with his most skilled and noble knights. I knew then that this plan was a fail. "Cease this man NOW, for he is the killer of my eldest son!"

Introduction to Geoffrey Chaucer

Chaucer was a well know writer among his time, 1340-1410. He was admired by many fellow poets of his time, the critics, & the public. His charm and sympathetic understanding of human diversity was one of the many things he was noted for. Chaucer’s poetry often rejected the use  of conventions, rhetoric, types, symbols, and authorities. He did, however, experiment with verse forms from sonnet, blank verse, and heroic couplet. When reading his work one would be amazed at the variety of sources his writing reflected.

His poems also presented a wide variety of outlooks on unusual topics. Like the Gothic cathedrals, his poems were often left unfinished.

 

 

Letter from Mr. Grant

Dear Mobile Connections,
I am Mr. Grant and I was writing pertaining to my friend Jefferson. He has just been sentenced for a crime he did not commit. While on trial, he was compared to a "hog". This has really affected the way he sees himself now. He sees himself as less than a man and now his mind is just everywhere. While on a trip visting him in his cell, we tried our best to comfort him but we got no response. When he finally decided to talk to us all we got was,"It doesn't matter...None of it matters." It really hurts knowing that my friend is being sentenced to death row and I have no way to make him feel like a man before dying. How am I supposed to make him feel like a man before dying?

Sincerely,
Mr. Grant Wiggins

Quotation Assignment

"He's still going to die... Why not let the hog die without knowing anything?" (Page 31)

4. Does the quotation provide detail about the setting? If so, what type of description does it provide? How does the setting description classify the time period? The quotation does provide detail about the setting. It describes the way blacks were treated then. It classifies the time period by putting the reader in the time frame of racism and allowing the reader to understand the point of view.

5. Does the quotation symbolize the lack of freedom of a black person at this time? Does the quotation symbolize the history of oppression of a black person? If so, to what part of history does the quotation relate? This quote does in fact symbolize the lack of freedom of a black person at this time. Yes, it does symbolize the history of oppression of a black person. This quote relates to the Pre-Civil Rights South.

Chapters 3 - 4 Discussion Questions

Chapter 3

1. Pichot's insistence that Jefferson "did it" redirected the plot narrative by setting a sad tone.  It allowed some of his more racist feelings to surface. He believes that the blacks are below them and barely acknowledges everything she says to him me. It's like he thinks of her as his slave even though she's a free woman.

2. Miss Emma was exhausted from Jefferson's trial and conviction. Grant knew that Miss Emma wanted his help, however he also knew that her mind was everywhere and she did not have the energy to beg him for help..

3. When Grant went away from college, he vowed to never enter through the servant's entrance of Pichot ever again. He refreshed that in his memory and how he felt that when he was young. It like things have never changed.

4. Miss Emma prevailed on Henri Pichot to speak to the sheriff because she knew blacks were often denied the right to speak their thoughts and feelings. Yet, their is much irony here as Miss Emma seems to have no problem speaking for herself.

Chapter 4

1. The description of Bayonne further expounds on the summation in Jefferson's trail by comparing him to a hog and how they were going to slaughter as one.

2. Grant wants to leave because he feels like he is not living his life to the fullest, he feels trapped in a sense. The only reason that he has not left is because he does not want to leave without Vivian.