Shakespeare’s tragic play, Macbeth explores the decline of the central character, Macbeth from a respectable warrior to a murdering and lying fiend. This change in character is a direct result of Macbeth’s unbridled ambition and greed.
In act 1 scene 2 Macbeth is described as “brave”, “valiant” and “heroic” and everyone admires him. King Duncan and his court receive news from the wounded Captain that the battle against the traitor and the rebel MacDonwald and his army was evenly balanced until Macbeth and Banquo in acts of outstanding courage and ferocity destroyed him and his troops, like “sparrows eagles, or the hare the lion”. But as this occurs , reinforcements from the King of Norway and the traitor, the Thane Of Cawdor, counterattack Macbeth and Banquo ” but all’s too weak; for brave Macbeth well he deserves that name”. However these two are not at all dismayed; but as the Captain is taken away to tend to his wounds, the outcome is still unsure. The Thane Of Ross arrives to report that, through the fighting spirit of Macbeth, Duncan’s army has won a great victory ” The victory fell on us”. Duncan declares that the “most disloyal traitor” the Thane Of Cawdor is to be executed which is very ironic “Go pronounce his present death” and Macbeth “O valiant cousin! worthy gentleman!” is to receive his title and estates as a reward “Nobel Macbeth hath won”.
Although we haven’t yet met Macbeth, whilst the battle is primitive and bloody the Captain’s and Ross’s descriptions emphasize an “heroic”, even “epic” quality of Macbeth part of them. This is shown in the personifications such as “Disclaiming fortune”, “valorous minion”, and references such as “memorize another Golgotha”. Duncan himself generously praises Macbeth, and the final epithet he gives is “noble”. These quotes show that people and even the king have a very high opinion of Macbeth.
The witches appear at the beginning and are highly ambiguous creatures- whether they are human it is debatable. The witches create a sense of mystery: they will meet when “the battles lost and won”, which seems a contradiction. The fact that they are evil is show in their final couplet. According to them “Fair is foul, and foul is fair”. Put another way this means:
good is bad and bad is good. All of Act 1 scene 1 creates a very ominous atmosphere.
Overwhelmed by Marigolds
Overwhelmed by Marigolds [ADM1]
I’ll be honest; I picked this short story first because of the bright, blooming title, “Marigolds.” But when I read the story, I felt torn, like the marigolds that were when destroyed by Lizabeth[ADM2]. Throughout this story I felt overwhelmed with reality;[ADM3] I was showered with confusion, contradictions, and it seems as though I read this story of harsh truth in a dream. Lizabeth’s character is so close to myself, yet so far away, that I detest her, especially for her furious outrage taken out on a sliver of hope surrounded by despondency, yet I feel compassionate towards her.[ADM4]
I leaped furiously into the mounds of marigolds and pulled madly, trampling and pulling and destroying the perfect yellow blooms.[ADM5]
When she madly demolished the beautiful marigolds, I wanted to scream;[ADM6] she had ruined the only things ravishing[ADM7] and worthwhile, taking her anger and confusion out on something that seemed so perfect. I felt like the marigolds because far too often I have been in a similar situation. For example, I play the saxophone well, making it into Wind Ensemble (the highest[ADM8] band) as a freshman. Many call me “perfect,”[ADM9] and because I can play better than they can, they hate me. They treat me rudely,[ADM10] and they don’t even know me except for my ability to play an instrument. I feel dejected and trampled over socially because [ADM11]I happen to be able to be gifted in an area. Some also detest me because of my grades, making assumptions before knowing me [ADM12]that because I get decent grades, I am perfect and too good for everyone. Instead of seeing past me[ADM13], they make fun of me and put me down for achieving my highest goals. So when Lizabeth tore at the flowers, smoldering[ADM14] them and killing them because they were full of hope and bloom, which she had none of[ADM15], I felt angry with her for handling her situation in this way. She killed innocent life that thrived and stood out, because it possessed things that she wanted and that she was being deprived of[ADM16]. Because of this terrible reaction to this scene, I think that it is safe to assume [ADM17]I am not sympathetic towards anyone who hurts others, physically or mentally, for being happier or full of hope or more talented than them because they feel hopeless, fearful, or even feel confused and overwhelmed.