Shakespeare Humor

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-17476117

Here's an interesting article about Shakespeare's use of "fools" in his works and how they would relate to the modern world/who they would be.

Thoughts?

Side note: I also found it amusing that his wife's name was Anne Hathaway (some more interesting facts under the Shakespeare facts section). Maybe her parents were avid Shakespeare readers or historians. Maybe it's just a coincidence. Probably the latter.

Animated Macbeth: Foreshadowing of Deaths?

Aside from this being funny, it does take some important lines from the book to form a summary. I also noticed that around the 3 minute mark, the bones of the witches' hands form the amulet that gives Macbeth his new title. I thought this could symbolize how Macbeth's power will be built from the death of others by his own hands, or that his murders will start because of that initial title of Thane.

My Inner Monologue

This is honestly my inner monologue while reading Macbeth.

Shakespeare's opinion on war

When I finished reading Macbeth, one thing that immediately stood out at me was that this tragedy, both begins and ends with war and bloodshed.  I think Shakespeare intentionally did this because as we've learned from the last books we've read, authors often try to impose their own beliefs and bring attention to problems within modern society.  I think that Macbeth is trying to really highlight the negative impact war has on not only the people directly involved in it, but others as well (evident by Lady Macduff's murder).  I would assume that everyone is against war, but few convey this idea more elaborately and revealing as Shakespeare.  As i started to look into this even more, I discovered that Shakespeare also questions the morals, ethics, justifications, etc. of war through other plays and I think this central theme was really highlighted by the beginning and end of Macbeth.

Another thing that i hate to admit it was that Lina was actually right and that the whole thing about Lord of the Rings was accurate therefore i owe you an apology.... but don't expect another one anytime in the near future.

What is "Good"

In response to Becca's post, if one can go about different ways in defining evil, then one can also do the same with good.  In terms of the general notion of good, Lady Macduff is the epitome of a good mother and wife.  She cares for her husband and son.  She isn't the murderer in the play, but rather the victim. In other cases such as Lady Macbeth, there isn't an easy answer.  She is the mastermind behind Duncan's death, but she shows remorse in her sleep.  For ones that are harder to identify as good or evil, is it better to find what true "good" is or to determine a person's nature by one sole definition of "good" that society agrees upon?

A Sequel

Shakespeare may have intended to write a sequel to Macbeth.  However, since Shakespeare never did write an official sequel, Noah Lukeman took it upon himself to publish one he himself wrote.  Interestingly enough, Lukeman titled his play as The Tragedy of Macbeth Part II: The Seed of Banquo.   I think the "seed of Banquo" part odd because Banquo isn't the one who plotted against Duncan.  He did not start the plot of Macbeth and couldn't have started the plot in the sequel as he is long gone by then.  The title may have also been referring to the witch's prophecy that Banquo's son will become king. 

What do you think?

Also, here's the cover:

Important Lines

As I've been reading Macbeth, I've underlined phrases that stuck out as particularly important or interesting. I compiled them in a list below (I attempted a wordle, but I'm apparently not as tech savvy as Luisa and Shira.) Some I find illuminating, or a turning point, or just kind of cool.

Fair is foul, and foil is fair
Thrice to thine and thrice to mine, and thrice again to make up nine
Lesser than Macbeth and greater
And nothing is but what is not
My dearest partner of greatness
Leave all the rest to me
False face must hide what the false heart doth know
Whiles I threat, he lives
Hear it not, Duncan, for it is a knell that summons thee to heaven or to hell
A dagger of the mind
To know my deed 'twere best not know myself
A farmer that hung himself on th' expectation of plenty
Banquo, thy soul's flight, if it find heaven, must find it out tonight
After life's fitful fever he sleeps well
Something wicked this way comes
But cruel are the times when we are traitors and do not know ourselves
The night is long that never receives the day
Out, damned spot, out, I say!

Do you have any favorite lines to add?