Macbeth Act IV Notes

• "Double, double, toil and trouble; fire burn and cauldron bubble"
• the reader's first introduction to the witch's actual wickedness, if it was not already assumed
• is there any symbolism to the items being placed in the cauldron, or are they there simply for weirdness sake
• also, were these actually things believed to have magical/evil properties?

Jane Eyre Questions

The following answers are in response to this document.  In the spirit of AP test prep, I did my best to move through the passages and questions quickly and didn't look for an answer key.

Macbeth Notes Act II

• Macbeth identifies himself as a friend to Banquo
• does Banquo feel the same way?
• Banquo's dream of "three weird sisters"
• is he talking about the witches here?
• Macbeth's soliloquy
• marvels at how unreal the situation feels
• an indication that this is not something that Macbeth truly feels comfortable doing
• he feels that this is out of character for himself
• many allusions to mythology to enforce the mystical surreal tone
• Why does Shakespeare choose not to show the murder itself?
• too gruesome for the audience?  Or perhaps too offensive to the king?
• the Macbeths have, apparently, fooled everybody
• "Is't known who did this more than bloody deed?" ... "Those that Macbeth hath slain."
• Macduff and Ross are ironically correct here, although they do not know it
• They conclude seconds later that Macbeth is next up for the throne
• how do they not connect Macbeth and his "thriftless ambition" to the crime?
• Macbeth ma have too good of a reputation.  It is stated earlier that he is well liked throughout the land.

"Nature can do that?"

At the beginning of the school year, Justin Thompson started a blog to showcase the various wonders of nature.  Eventually, I joined in and lent a hand with research and writing.  There are some genuinely bizarre things showcased, ranging from trees of dragon blood to fried egg jellyfish.  If you've got some free time and are looking to be amazed, give the blog a look!

Nature Can Do That?

Macbeth Act I: Thoughts and Notes -- Barely Awake Edition

I'm tired right now, so apologies if this post falls short.  And no, this late night (early morning?) post is not because of procrastination for once.  Well, not mostly.

• Macbeth is an interestingly contradictory character
• apparently peerless warrior, but is submissive to his overbearing wife
• has ambitions for the throne, but still has morality (or he at least lacks the disregard for human life of Lady Macbeth)
• Why does he want the throne?  Political?  Egotistical?
• Described as being fearless, but recoils at the witches
• Either Macbeth is not what he appears, or the witches are really just that horrendous
• could be both, obviously
• The witches are certainly not a pretty sight, but are they actively malicious?
• there's allusions to their wicked deeds, but what do they gain from the telling of Macbeth's future?
• Maybe not, could just be a convenient method of both foreshadowing and establishing a context for morality
• Banquo is less disturbed by the witches
• indicates that he is more used to their evil?
• What does Banquo think of Macbeth?
• friendly, rival, etc.
• Lady Macbeth is arguably more evil than the witches
• does Macbeth realize how easily he is goaded and manipulated?

Lit Circles: Life of Pi Prose Essay Prompts

The following AP style essay prompts are made for Life of Pi by Yann Martel.

1. Authors often use unusual plot structures to draw attention to important story elements.  In Life of Pi, Yann Martel inserts short italicized chapters written from his point of view.  What literary techniques within these chapters contribute to the overall theme of the novel?

2. Life of Pi is a story as much about the psychological and spiritual aspects of Pi as it is about his worldly struggles.  Analyze the literary devices that Martel uses to separate the physical and the metaphysical.

3. Stylistically, Life of Pi has characteristics of both a fable and a biography.  What devices does Martel use to create this effect?

Literature Analysis: Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky

Once again, Justin Thompson and I worked on a Prezi for March's literature analysis on Crime and Punishment.

If the Prezi isn't showing up for anyone, click here.