Macbeth has a lot to it. I know that sounds completely obvious & stupid, but just hear me out. The play has a lot of layers, between the relationship of the Macbeth’s, their drive for success, & the overall evil of this play, you can’t help but feel like a kid with ADD trying to suck the meaning out of it.
The most obvious theme [& the one I plan on talking…erm…typing about] is the downfall of ambition. Everybody is ambition, it’s really one of the most human of emotions to have. But what happens when that ambition goes too far?
Macbeth explores this. It looks into the affects of what society would deem as being too ambitious. Greedy even. I think this play is so popular, because everyone can relate to it. Like I said, it’s a common, human emotion. The theme itself is presented by Macbeth himself.
The dream or goal was brought about by the witches. They look the seed in the ground. Then, with a little bit of watering, it grew out of control. I would like to think that under normal circumstances, Macbeth wouldn’t be the type just to murder a crap ton of people. Lady Mac had a lot to do with this, pushing him forward fulfill this “goal.” It’s tragic that Macbeth, successful in his own right, will eventually meet his downfall for trying to get too far ahead.
This same theme is played out in today’s times. I’d like to think of reality tv as a modern ‘Macbeth.’ The way everyone is always trying to get ahead in them. They think they can win & will do anything to get what they want. All for success & fame, they are willing to compromise their values. It makes for amazing television, but disgusting aftertaste when you sit down to think about it.
Macbeth is a classic for a reason. I know I say that a lot, but it’s themes are timeless. All of us can relate to the epically [tragic] ambitions of the one, the only, Macbeth.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Make Up: Fated To Choose?
There has always been a debate as to if we are the makers of our own destinies or not. Countless hours have been spent debating it, countless lives have been lost fighting about it, countless theories have been made about it. Who has the right answer though?
Truth be told, I’m not sure anybody knows. I know I don’t have a good answer, but I do have some thoughts on it.
I personally don’t subscribe to the belief of ‘higher powers.’ I would like to say that I am a morally sound person [or I’d like to believe as much] & that I hate it when people look down upon me for that. With that being said, I don’t believe in ‘fate.’ I don’t think some divine power has our lives completely planned out. I’ve even heard lots of people say that the whole reason how come we can commit wrong & sin, is that we were granted the right of free will.
We can make ourselves into whatever we want to be. It’s the American dream really. If you want to become a doctor, you can become a doctor, if you work hard enough at it. In theory, our lives are under our control.
I can’t help but question my own thought though. How do you explain coincidences? Would you call it fate that you & the love of your life should have known each other through a mob of people but yet… didn’t? Fate has existed throughout history for so many years. Has it been there for a reason?
To tie it all together, maybe it’s a bit of both.
When those moments happen, I can’t help but love the feeling & how it feels like maybe, maybe you’ve made the right decisions & this is what/where you’re suppose to be. I wish could solve the infinite question, the million dollar question, but all I have are some ideas & a hodgepodge answer.
Truth be told, I’m not sure anybody knows. I know I don’t have a good answer, but I do have some thoughts on it.
I personally don’t subscribe to the belief of ‘higher powers.’ I would like to say that I am a morally sound person [or I’d like to believe as much] & that I hate it when people look down upon me for that. With that being said, I don’t believe in ‘fate.’ I don’t think some divine power has our lives completely planned out. I’ve even heard lots of people say that the whole reason how come we can commit wrong & sin, is that we were granted the right of free will.
We can make ourselves into whatever we want to be. It’s the American dream really. If you want to become a doctor, you can become a doctor, if you work hard enough at it. In theory, our lives are under our control.
I can’t help but question my own thought though. How do you explain coincidences? Would you call it fate that you & the love of your life should have known each other through a mob of people but yet… didn’t? Fate has existed throughout history for so many years. Has it been there for a reason?
To tie it all together, maybe it’s a bit of both.
When those moments happen, I can’t help but love the feeling & how it feels like maybe, maybe you’ve made the right decisions & this is what/where you’re suppose to be. I wish could solve the infinite question, the million dollar question, but all I have are some ideas & a hodgepodge answer.
Make Up: I don't do this whole... 'Medieval' thing.
I don’t even want to think about life in Medieval time. I wouldn’t say I’m prissy, but I would assumed I’d get eaten alive in the way “guys” act.
Sure, I could maybe be an artsy man. I would get away with engulfing myself in the musical of the time. I’m sure I’d look pretty fierce in tights & ruffles, playing my lute… or not. I like my clothes tight, but not that tight. Also, minstrels were… kind of poor. I know, I know. Everyone was poor in these times, but it still wouldn’t be nice to be hungry all the time.
& that’s another thing. Food? Oh PLEASE. You have to be kidding me. I love soup. Soup is delicious, but I have no plans on going on a virtually all liquid diet. Carbs are delicious though, so in theory, I’d be totally okay with bread. I need some class.
Back to the arts though, I could maybe see myself as an actor. Some of the most classic of literature was created during this time. On the other hand though, you had to pretty much be straight out of the womb to be an actor. They had little boys play girls. There would still be stuff for me to do though, in the theatre world.
So it’s pretty much decided, I need to live the “high life” during these times.
If I, for some reason, were to be stuck in the lowly life of the… common person, I wouldn’t make it. All of the hard labor, doing everything by hand. I have no affinity for dirt. Come on, people! Do you really think I could go months without showering? Two words: Nev-er. This isn’t the most manly of things to say, but hey, we’re not keeping track, I have a weak immune system. I would probably die at a young age from disease. Ha. Plus, there weren’t any -whispers- homosexuals. I’m being realistic here in the fact that I wouldn’t want to be with a woman, especially some of those… erm… “winners.” No thank you. I don’t do the whole mule thing.
Basically, I don’t do this whole Medieval thing. :P
Sure, I could maybe be an artsy man. I would get away with engulfing myself in the musical of the time. I’m sure I’d look pretty fierce in tights & ruffles, playing my lute… or not. I like my clothes tight, but not that tight. Also, minstrels were… kind of poor. I know, I know. Everyone was poor in these times, but it still wouldn’t be nice to be hungry all the time.
& that’s another thing. Food? Oh PLEASE. You have to be kidding me. I love soup. Soup is delicious, but I have no plans on going on a virtually all liquid diet. Carbs are delicious though, so in theory, I’d be totally okay with bread. I need some class.
Back to the arts though, I could maybe see myself as an actor. Some of the most classic of literature was created during this time. On the other hand though, you had to pretty much be straight out of the womb to be an actor. They had little boys play girls. There would still be stuff for me to do though, in the theatre world.
So it’s pretty much decided, I need to live the “high life” during these times.
If I, for some reason, were to be stuck in the lowly life of the… common person, I wouldn’t make it. All of the hard labor, doing everything by hand. I have no affinity for dirt. Come on, people! Do you really think I could go months without showering? Two words: Nev-er. This isn’t the most manly of things to say, but hey, we’re not keeping track, I have a weak immune system. I would probably die at a young age from disease. Ha. Plus, there weren’t any -whispers- homosexuals. I’m being realistic here in the fact that I wouldn’t want to be with a woman, especially some of those… erm… “winners.” No thank you. I don’t do the whole mule thing.
Basically, I don’t do this whole Medieval thing. :P
Friday, February 20, 2009
Media Check!
Simply stated, chivalric romances have their own amount of importance. Were they a little bit cheesy? (More than a little…) Yes. But that doesn’t change the fact they have shaped our views on love & relationships.
If it wasn’t for chivalry, we wouldn’t have the rules for relationships that we do now. Men are expected to respect & swoon ladies & ladies are supposed to be gentle, kind souls with hot, hot bodies. Okay, that was a bit hyperbole-d, but they did have a lot of expectations on both ends. For example, check how they describe Lanval’s “hot elf lover”:
“This was how the maiden dressed up:
Of white linen, her camisole
Was made so that it showed both whole
Sides, shining where it laced up.
Her body was slim, long-waisted, tall,
Her neck was whiter than fresh snow-fall.
Grey were her eyes, white her face,
Lovely her mouth, nose in the right place,
Brown eyebrows, forehead smooth and fair,
Bright blond, crisply curling hair--
The radiant light of pure gold thread
Fades by the brightness of her head.”
Um… if you ask me, she sounds pretty disgusting but hey, everyone needs love. It later talks about how all the men did basically everything but hoop, holler & pat Lanval on the back for scoring such a babe.
Looking beyond that though, I would say that this scene can be tied back to our culture today. Even in those times, the rules were set for women. They had a social standard that they were expected to meet. The media affects how we view ourselves, & weren’t the minstrels a form of media? Songs & stories about thin, ghostly, blonde women with perfect noses are no different that images of skin & bones, orange tanned, blonde women with straight hair & perfect noses. Just think about it: w many girls think they need to be thinner? That they are fat lards who should throw up every meals & that no man will ever love her for her “full figured” self?
I’d say, if it weren’t for chivalry, & chivalric romances specifically, we wouldn’t have such self image problems. We might, just might, be happier with who we are, inside & out.
If it wasn’t for chivalry, we wouldn’t have the rules for relationships that we do now. Men are expected to respect & swoon ladies & ladies are supposed to be gentle, kind souls with hot, hot bodies. Okay, that was a bit hyperbole-d, but they did have a lot of expectations on both ends. For example, check how they describe Lanval’s “hot elf lover”:
“This was how the maiden dressed up:
Of white linen, her camisole
Was made so that it showed both whole
Sides, shining where it laced up.
Her body was slim, long-waisted, tall,
Her neck was whiter than fresh snow-fall.
Grey were her eyes, white her face,
Lovely her mouth, nose in the right place,
Brown eyebrows, forehead smooth and fair,
Bright blond, crisply curling hair--
The radiant light of pure gold thread
Fades by the brightness of her head.”
Um… if you ask me, she sounds pretty disgusting but hey, everyone needs love. It later talks about how all the men did basically everything but hoop, holler & pat Lanval on the back for scoring such a babe.
Looking beyond that though, I would say that this scene can be tied back to our culture today. Even in those times, the rules were set for women. They had a social standard that they were expected to meet. The media affects how we view ourselves, & weren’t the minstrels a form of media? Songs & stories about thin, ghostly, blonde women with perfect noses are no different that images of skin & bones, orange tanned, blonde women with straight hair & perfect noses. Just think about it: w many girls think they need to be thinner? That they are fat lards who should throw up every meals & that no man will ever love her for her “full figured” self?
I’d say, if it weren’t for chivalry, & chivalric romances specifically, we wouldn’t have such self image problems. We might, just might, be happier with who we are, inside & out.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Demons in our closet...erm...lake?
(pg. 48, l 441-443)
"A brilliant
Light burned all around him, the lake
Itself like a fiery flame."
Though short & sweet, this line has a lot going on beneath its orange chicken surface. In the literal, it's just saying that the lake was on fire. Whoosh. It added another crispy element to the story 'cause what's more heroic than beating the snot out of a foe underwater, burning water?
This, though, has a definite deeper meaning. It brings the story of Beowulf to a whole new level. It implies that Beowulf has in fact gone into Hell to fight Grendel's mother. He's a divine hero, sent by God to save the world. Sounds a little Jesus-esque, no?
We know that the Beowulf poet was a Christian, for Christianity had spread in the Angelo-Saxon culture at the time it was penned. There are tons of allusions to God in the piece, & I believe it's might be a retelling of the triumphs of the son of God.
I find it interesting they made the "Devil", Grendel's mother, a woman. Are they really that evil? Like really? Who knows. Maybe they are.
This story is just another epic at face value. A man's man saves the day, but if you dig deeper, you can see a whole new story. I hope I'm not crazy in seeing this. Maybe I am, maybe I'm not. Either way, Beowulf = Jesus in burly, bear form. End of story.
"A brilliant
Light burned all around him, the lake
Itself like a fiery flame."
Though short & sweet, this line has a lot going on beneath its orange chicken surface. In the literal, it's just saying that the lake was on fire. Whoosh. It added another crispy element to the story 'cause what's more heroic than beating the snot out of a foe underwater, burning water?
This, though, has a definite deeper meaning. It brings the story of Beowulf to a whole new level. It implies that Beowulf has in fact gone into Hell to fight Grendel's mother. He's a divine hero, sent by God to save the world. Sounds a little Jesus-esque, no?
We know that the Beowulf poet was a Christian, for Christianity had spread in the Angelo-Saxon culture at the time it was penned. There are tons of allusions to God in the piece, & I believe it's might be a retelling of the triumphs of the son of God.
I find it interesting they made the "Devil", Grendel's mother, a woman. Are they really that evil? Like really? Who knows. Maybe they are.
This story is just another epic at face value. A man's man saves the day, but if you dig deeper, you can see a whole new story. I hope I'm not crazy in seeing this. Maybe I am, maybe I'm not. Either way, Beowulf = Jesus in burly, bear form. End of story.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Here Grendel, Grendel. Hereeeeeeeee Grendel, Grendel.
I have to say, I sure do feeling pretty awful for Grendel…not. He is honestly an evil, disgusting person. The Beowulf poet makes it clear that we should hate such a character. He’s described as a filthy beast, a low down no-good person… erm, I mean… thing. He lives in a swamp, the lowest part of the area. A mucky, yucky swamp, festering & ranking of death & evil. No respect, no respect I tell you.
I must admit though, I can’t blame him for having the urge to attack human beings. He’s been completely shut out of society. The Danes & the Geats treat him like a disease, as if they’ll catch the depravity leaking from his soul. He has no home here... well ... there. He isn’t accepted by any means.
For example, look at the way God has treated him. He has been barred from the heart of God. He isn’t worthy of the love of the Almighty Creator. Grendel is quite simply a fiend. He’s ugly & has huge claws. He’s more self-conscious than a bulimic in the plumbing section at Lowe’s. He’s a sad, sad soul, with nobody to relate. It honestly reminds me of that song, you know, the one that goes “Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen, nobody knows my sorrows,” or something like that.
I’d imagine he’s angry. Not just angry, but “Hulk madddddddd. Hulk break stuff” angry. & jealous. Don’t forget jealous. Picture having to sit at home & listen to an amazing party that you weren’t invited to going on right next door? & they aren’t even considerate enough to keep it down! Not cool. Not cool at all.
In my professional opinion [I am 6 days into my psychology class], Grendel is acting out. Maybe for attention, maybe for release; definitely for emotional release. I personally don’t find murdering hairy Viking-esque men to be a stress release, but those were different times. I’m more of a whole, cry in my room to Good Charlotte, write poetry more crimson than a blood bank, watch the Food channel for comfort & text my woes to all of my “bfflz.” Though I don’t have the skills to rip someone apart, I have no choice but to relate. He looks nothing like a human, but he has the emotions of one. He has a heart, no matter how hard & stale it has become.
Who says Beowulf had to rip off Grendel’s arm? Maybe Grendel just needs a lady friend. I’m guessing he’s a boy, right? In all seriousness, people need love. Even horrendous creatures that have swamp breath. Whether it’s from a deity or a foxy lady, we all have a need to be accepted. Grendel has no love, no family, no friends, nothing to live for. So I’m asked, why does Grendel attack human beings? To me, he’s looking for attention. He is destroying the world to match the one he lives/lived in: lonely, empty, dark & negative.
I must admit though, I can’t blame him for having the urge to attack human beings. He’s been completely shut out of society. The Danes & the Geats treat him like a disease, as if they’ll catch the depravity leaking from his soul. He has no home here... well ... there. He isn’t accepted by any means.
For example, look at the way God has treated him. He has been barred from the heart of God. He isn’t worthy of the love of the Almighty Creator. Grendel is quite simply a fiend. He’s ugly & has huge claws. He’s more self-conscious than a bulimic in the plumbing section at Lowe’s. He’s a sad, sad soul, with nobody to relate. It honestly reminds me of that song, you know, the one that goes “Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen, nobody knows my sorrows,” or something like that.
I’d imagine he’s angry. Not just angry, but “Hulk madddddddd. Hulk break stuff” angry. & jealous. Don’t forget jealous. Picture having to sit at home & listen to an amazing party that you weren’t invited to going on right next door? & they aren’t even considerate enough to keep it down! Not cool. Not cool at all.
In my professional opinion [I am 6 days into my psychology class], Grendel is acting out. Maybe for attention, maybe for release; definitely for emotional release. I personally don’t find murdering hairy Viking-esque men to be a stress release, but those were different times. I’m more of a whole, cry in my room to Good Charlotte, write poetry more crimson than a blood bank, watch the Food channel for comfort & text my woes to all of my “bfflz.” Though I don’t have the skills to rip someone apart, I have no choice but to relate. He looks nothing like a human, but he has the emotions of one. He has a heart, no matter how hard & stale it has become.
Who says Beowulf had to rip off Grendel’s arm? Maybe Grendel just needs a lady friend. I’m guessing he’s a boy, right? In all seriousness, people need love. Even horrendous creatures that have swamp breath. Whether it’s from a deity or a foxy lady, we all have a need to be accepted. Grendel has no love, no family, no friends, nothing to live for. So I’m asked, why does Grendel attack human beings? To me, he’s looking for attention. He is destroying the world to match the one he lives/lived in: lonely, empty, dark & negative.
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