Core Humanities Essays - Characters In Macbeth,

Core Humanities Macbeth Paper December 14, 1998 People have a hard time getting what they want; in fact, the things they want can be incompatible with each other. The attempt to reach one of these goals can simultaneously hurt the other. In William Shakespeare's Macbeth, the protagonist, Macbeth, is lured to murder the king, Duncan, by the desire for power, an appetite whetted by witch's prophecies and his wife's encouragement. But when he reaches the kingship, he finds himself insecure. He attempts to remove threats that decrease his security, including his companion Banquo and his son Fleance, who is prophesied to be king. His lords grow angry and revolt successfully, after witches lure Macbeth into a false sense of security by further foretelling. In Macbeth, we see that, despite appearances of paradox, man's goals of comfort and power are forever opposed in increment, though the two may decline together. The power from knowledge causes discomfort. It has often been said 'ignorance is bliss'. After Macbeth is promised the throne, Banquo asks why Macbeth is less than Valles 2 ecstatic. "Good sir, why do you start, and seem to fear things that do sound so fair?" (Act I. Scene iii. Lines 51-53) Macbeth's new knowledge makes him uncomfortable, as he realizes the implications. His first thoughts considering murdering Duncan appear, and he is scared. After he commits the murder, Macbeth says, "To know my deed, 'twere best not know myself" (Act II. Scene ii. Lines 76-77). Knowing that has committed such a vile act makes him uncomfortable. It will be difficult to act innocent and to deal with his guilt. When he later decides to murder Banquo and Fleance, he tells his wife, "Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck, till thou applaud the deed" (Act III. Scene ii. Lines 46-47). Hecate sets Macbeth up for his final fall, explaining her strategy, "As by the strength of their illusion Shall draw him on to his confusion. He shall spurn fate, scorn death, and bear His hopes 'bove wisdom, grace, and fear. And you all know security Is mortals' chiefest enemy." (Act III. Scene V. Lines 28-33) The security provided by the second set of predictions is only fleeting. Feeling there is no threat to his power, Macbeth acts wildly, bringing his downfall and loss of both Valles 3 comfort and security. The problem with knowledge was that it was power resulting in a decline in comfort. Those most comfortable have the least power. The enjoyment of security precludes strength. The Porter delivers an ironic speech on the evils of drink, explaining, "Lechery, sir, it provokes and unprovokes: it provokes the desire, but it takes away the performance: therefore much drink may be said to be an equivocator with lechery: it makes him, and it mars him; it sets him on, and it takes him off; it persuades him and disheartens him; makes him stand to and not stand to; in conclusion, equivocates him in a sleep, and giving him the lie, leaves him." (Act II. Scene iii. Lines 32-40) While drink may cause comfort, its other effects contradict this. It takes away the power, the performance. This recalls the guards, comfortably asleep but not standing guard, the latter their condemnation, as they are said to stand and kill the king and then stop standing to. After the murder, Duncan's sons Malcolm and Donalbain decide to forgo the power of the kingship. Says Donalbain, "Where we are there's daggers in men's smiles; the near in blood, the nearer bloody" (Act II. Scene iii. Lines 146-149). He Valles 4 realizes that his father was murdered because of the position he was in. It would be much safer to not be king, despite the loss in power, because the threats are too great. Power serves as both a blessing and a curse. Gaining power causes discomfort. When trying to gain power, hoping to increase their pleasure, people find themselves wracked with guilt and paranoia. Macbeth sees how lucky the dead and powerless Duncan really is when he comments "In restless ecstasy. Duncan is in his grave; After life's fitful fever he sleeps well. Treason has done his worst; nor steel, nor poison, Malice domestic, foreign levy, nothing, Can touch him further." (Act III. Scene

Life of James Mcbride Essay Example

Life of James Mcbride Essay Example Life of James Mcbride Paper Life of James Mcbride Paper McBride, a young colored man deals with growing up and having a white mother. James McBride always realized that his mother was different from his friends mothers, but he never understood why. He would always ask his mother why she was different but she would Just reply that all people are the same. He never knew anything about the background of his mother because she never talked about it and he was afraid to ask. She would ride her old bicycle in an all black neighborhood that was run by the black panthers. James was scared for his mother because even though he was young at the time, he knew what was going on. I think that this book was an impressive view on how twelve young colored children reacted towards having a white mother during the civil rights movement. James McBride was the youngest of his twelve siblings. His father died before he was born and his mother remarried soon after. He could always tell that his mother was unlike his friends mothers. When I asked her If she was white, shed say, No. Im light-skinned, and change the subject gall(McBride, 21 When James was round the age of twelve, his step-father bought his mother an old beat-up bicycle. She would ride it all around the town and James friends would always ask him why his mother looked so different. Along with being tantalizing, Sesames family was impoverished. One washcloth was used by all. A solitary toothbrush would five sets of teeth and gums. (McBride, 68). The family remained as one. Even though young James was curious about his mother and life in general, it didnt hold him back from asking questions. He asked things such as what color was Jesus? and who am l? And where did you come from mommy? . His mother always avoided the questions by answering them by saying Jesus is all the colors and You are who you are and l came from where everyone else came from. (McBride, 12-13). His mother did not want him to discuss their family with anyone else. You stick to your brothers and sisters, thats It. Dont tell nobody your business neither! (McBride, 12-13) As James was growing up, he developed many different feelings. He survived through the civil rights movement with a white mother, he completed high school ND moved onto college, and he found out the truth about his mother. He found out that his mother had a name besides mother. l had never heard that name before. Even in recounting what little she had told me of her life, Mommy had never referred to herself as Rachel. (McBride, 207). He also found out that his mother was Jewish and she was born in Poland. After James graduated from high school he attended Oberlin College and then got his masters degree in Journalism from Colombia university. When James was in college his mother was diagnosed with cancer. 01 ad a little bump on my face and she made me see this fancy doctor. Now I goat wear this dumb hat all the time. It makes me look Like a rooster. (McBride, 260). James grew In many ways from this experience. All of his life he has had his mother there to lean on and care for. As soon as she was diagnosed he realized he had to start living Nils own Tie Dye enamels. He recognizer Nils mother as a notable woman. All of her twelve children grew up to be happy and successful. Mommys children are extraordinary people, most of them leaders in their own right. AY of them had doted more mental baggage and dealt with more hardship than they care to remember, yet they carry themselves with a giant measure of dignity, humility, and humor (McBride, 277). All of them had grown up to be doctors, chemists, teachers, and writers. James views his life as a suffering with the outcome of having his dreams come true. We sat up for many n ights listening to me recite my dreams but in reality of the hard days that followed. (McBride, 291). He views his mother as a paramount woman. She taught her children that God and their educations came before anything. This theory made them succeed. Thats money if your mind is empty? (McBride, 9). Sesames family was the first thing on his mind always. He felt that his life has been fulfilled in every way. He was living in a time of revolution. When he was younger, his mother meant the most to him, he felt no matter how old he was he could protect her Just as she had protected him. It frightened the hell out of me. I thought to myself, These people will kill Mommy. (McBride,27). Overall James thinks that his younger, poor life lead up to his older, wealthier life. I think that this book was a great analysis on how a destitute black family with a white mother succeeded through a revolution. The organization of the book was efficient. The first chapter was about the mothers background and the second was about Sesames life. Then the chapters alternated with his mothers and then his throughout the book. I think that this was a good way to establish chapters because it was easier to appreciate the book. This book discussed Just about every aspect of James whole life up until he wrote the book. It was a great touching story. I think that this book was an impressive view on how twelve young colored children reacted towards having a white mother during the civil rights movement. I think that this book was a great analysis on how a destitute black family with a white mother succeeded through a revolution. This book would be great for a person with an open mind and a person who would want to read a touching story on a mans life. You need a great outlook on life to appreciate this story the way that the author wants you to. I would recommend it to almost everyone.