MACBETH #4

Have you ever experienced a predicted dream? Has anyone ever suggested something about your future that has actually come true? Did their comments influence your actions and the results that followed?

When I lie down on my bed, give me five minutes and I am sound asleep. I have to set four alarms to wake up. So, there are only numbers of times I actually “see” my dream, let alone a predicted dream. But my friends and I like to go to the tarot card stand whenever we catch a movie. Most of the reading of the tarot card turned out to be false, but in spite of its low reputation, I can’t help myself associating every little incident with the prediction. For example, once the Ajumma who read my tarot cards predicted that I was going to break up in two weeks. I was disappointed with the results, but in my head I knew this wasn’t going to happen. The next day I found myself complaining to my friends about my boyfriend’s slow response to my text messages. A week later I broke it off with my boyfriend. Through the experience I learned that even though in my head I know that tarot card readings are silly and far from the truth, it’s extremely hard not to be influenced by it. So I can understand how easy it is for Macbeth to change after meeting the three witches. I mean how can you ever dismiss the predictions made by three women with actual magical powers? I don’t think I can.

MACBETH #3

Is there a personal incident in your life you wish could erase? Envision Lady Macbeth wringing her hands, unable to get the imaginary blood off of them. She is haunted by her participation in the grisly deed. Do you think her response is plausible? Do you think you could be consumed with guilt yourself if you found yourself wrapped up in such a heinous crime?

I don’t really believe in regrets. All my experiences, even the ones that didn’t turn out the way I wanted them to, I firmly believe they were all worth it. For example, choosing to do IB diploma was at first a “terrible decision,” but I now know that it was worthwhile (by no means I’m saying that the process became easier). However, the situation Lady Macbeth was in is a tad different than mine. Personally I think it is impossible to imagine the guilt and fear Lady Macbeth was feeling without actually participating in the crime, but with my very limited perspective, I think her reaction is very plausible. When I was little I remember my two brothers (the loving brothers they are) forced me to see the movie Chucky knowing very well that I am not a fan of horror movies. Ever since that unfortunate incident I had nightmares for two years. I sleepwalked frequently, and couldn’t go to sleep without any light. The memory of Chucky’s face haunted me night after night. Even now as an eighteen-year-old, I still can’t see images of that repulsive face. Now, if I can’t look at a picture of a twisted doll because of one traumatic experience, I can’t even imagine the guilt and fear I would feel if I was wrapped up in a heinous crime like Lady Macbeth. I’d probably end up in a same road as hers-death.

MACBETH #2

What do you think about the character of Macbeth? Was he a good guy before he met the witches, or do his actions imply that he was always capable of dark deeds? Is he to blame for his actions, or are the witches really to blame?
I think Macbeth is a very weak character. He has no stand in his life. He always looks for answers by asking someone else. He can’t trust anyone, including himself. He can’t see what really matters. He is easily consumed with external forces. He cannot make his own choices. He is like a dwarf trapped in a giant’s body. Therefore I don’t think it’s a matter of whether or not Macbeth was a good guy or not. What I think what led him to do his dark deeds was his lack of trust in himself. If he had faith in himself, he wouldn’t have seized the throne in such manner (like killing the subject); he would have got it with integrity. Also, a person who has faith in himself will not be so consumed with external influences, such as the witches’ prophecies or Lady Macbeth’s persuasion. A person who believes in oneself may seek some advices/ second opinions from others, but finds the answer within oneself. People who are like Macbeth, weak and vulnerable, are all capable of doing dark deeds if they think that will ensure security. Therefore the witches were just a trigger in his actions, but ultimately it is Macbeth’s lack of self confidence that is to blame for, for his actions.

MACBETH #1

Do you feel sorry for Lady Macbeth? Why or why not?

Yes, I do feel sorry for Lady Macbeth. Even though she was one of the pivotal characters that pushed Macbeth to a spiral of horrible events, it was a mistake. I think there’s an obvious difference between the witches, who intentionally drive people insane, and Lady Macbeth, who quickly felt guilty about her actions. Evidently the witches never repented, but it is clear (especially in Act 4) that Lady Macbeth regretted and repented her actions. Thus, I assume that Lady Macbeth has a good side all along, but was temporarily blinded by her ambition and greed in becoming Queen of Scotland. This is understandable situation, because it is our human nature to want more. We are never satisfied with what we have. Therefore when Macbeth filled Lady Macbeth with all these great possibilities, as a human being, Lady Macbeth was consumed with thoughts of her wearing the shiny crown. If you reach to that level (where all you can think about is what you want), then it is hard to get out of that cycle. Lady Macbeth merely couldn’t get out of that consumption of ambition, hence the murder of Duncan to make her dreams come true. Plus, when I look back at the English history back in the days (the setting of the play), death wasn’t such a big deal. It happened often, so the enormity of death may not be the same as how we conceive it. With that said, I think Lady Macbeth’s reaction after killing Duncan (and after Macbeth killed Macduff’s family) tells a lot about her fragile character. And for that reason I feel sorry for Lady Macbeth.