Clara Lu Period 5 12/19/19 Blog 2

12/19/19
Clara Lu
Period 5
Blogger 18

Aim: When juxtaposed against Macbeth, how does the characterization of Macduff, and the themes of the play, ​illuminate the societal pressures placed on both genders?

During the beginning of the period we went over the Macbeth Acts I-III Exam and clarified some confusing questions.

After going over the test, we continued reading Act IV from yesterday and answered question about scenes II and III.
Some notes as we were reading were that towards the end of the act, Macduff finds out that his family were all "savagely slaughtered (line 241)". After he heard the news, he began to cover his face with his hat. Also, in line 259, Malcolm tells Macduff to use his this grief and turn it into revenge. Since Macbeth killed his family, it is no longer about the country, but a person matter between the two. Macduff, however, responds that he will, but he is also a man because he feels the sadness that he does. Shakespeare is creating a new definition for masculinity. In the beginning of the book, Lady Macbeth constantly said her husband was too weak and would not be able to become king. But here, Macduff shows emotions, showing that he is Macbeth's foil character and that his reactions are completely normal because he just lost everyone that he loved.

Then we answered questions

1) In scene 2, right before the murderers show up which is comic relief. The scene also shows the innocence and purity of the boy and the relationship he and his mother have. They are showed as a regular family and it would be inhumane to kill them. They also have no reason to be killed because Macbeth is after Macduff, not his family. Lady Macduff also thought that her husband left and abandoned them. She died thinking her husband wasn't a good person, while he was actually out trying to save his country. Macbeth also killed them while the husband was not there to protect them, which is similar to Duncan's death, where he was murdered in his sleep.

2) Some indirect characterization of Macbeth is that he became more crazy and murderous and the theme of unchecked ambitions comes up again. Macbeth had spies in Macduff's home and had everyone killed. Macbeth no longer needed his wife to tell him the plan and has no hesitations to do so. Similar to the first question, Macbeth being suspicious of Macduff had nothing to do with his family. He is simply killing anyone he thinks might be in his way and doesn't care who he hurts cause he wants to secure his power.

3) The conversation between the three characters show the expectations of men during that time to be more manly and show no feelings and emotions. However, Macduff says that he is more of a man because of his reaction. Having feelings is opposite to Macbeth, where his wife constantly said he was too soft and had to show no emotions.

4) Macduff response to Malcolm's "Dispute it like a man" shows how Shakespeare is trying to create a new definition for masculinity. "But I must also feel it as a man. I cannot but remember such things were that were most precious to me". His response indicates how it is okay to have emotions and be sad. His family was just all killed and it would be a normal reaction to be devastated and in shock.


Reflection
Today in class, we learned about how Macbeth's character can be clearly seen as dynamic, with no one expecting the drastic change in the beginning of the play. For example, Duncan said how he trusted Macbeth, yet at the same time he talked about not knowing people's true thoughts and intentions. By Act IV, Macbeth was ready to kill anyone in his way, even an innocent family. In the beginning, Macbeth felt so guilty for killing Duncan and before he even did it, he hallucinated a knife, but was able to question if it was real. With Banquo's ghost, Macbeth was instantly terrified and was sure the ghost was real, showing that he has become crazy. In real life, people can always change. You never know how or when it will happen. Macbeth is a perfect example to show a change it characterization. We also learned about what is seen as masculine. Men can show their emotions, both in today's time and as Shakespeare wrote for Macduff.