Friday, April 1, 2016
Conversation #1 - Group B
On p. 131,Macbeth notes that, "From this moment, The very firstlings of my heart shall be the firstlings of my hand." Comment on how Macbeth thinks about the relationship between his heart and his hand. Raise questions about how this illustrates a core part of his personality or a change in his personality. As you read beyond this scene discuss how this statement affects later events in the play.
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ReplyDeleteThe quote on page 131 states Macbeth's decision to change his current mindset, a decision that can potentially change the actions he makes. The quote means that he will no longer overanalyze possible outcomes his actions can cause. From this point on, Macbeth will immediately pursue the actions his heart is telling him to make, spending no time at all thinking about the results that can possibly occur. As soon as his internal heart tells him to make an action or commit a crime, no matter the possible outcomes, without hesitation, he will physically execute the ideal actions.
ReplyDeleteI think Macbeth believes that his heart and his hand in the past have not been acting together as one, since his heart has been making him feel as if he should not kill all these people but his hand takes action and kills them. Now instead of letting his heart try and act first he is going to be quick and once the thought pops up he will act with his hand. For example during this scene Macbeth talks about how he has been wanting to kill Macduff, but being that he took too long to act Macduff has already fled to England. So by using his new method on acting with his hand before his heart gets in the way he is going to take action and kill Macduffs family and anyone that stands in his way.
ReplyDeleteThis scene also plays an important role in the play later on; as you can see through the course of the play Macbeth starts to become more comfortable with the act of killing those whom he personally knows as opposed to those he used to just encounter fighting for King Duncan and I think that is directly related to that he does not want to miss his opportunity to kill someone like he did with Macduff. Also I think this is important because I think this is the point in the play when Macbeth and Lady Macbeth switch roles, in that Macbeth is now the one okay with doing all these killings while Lady Macbeth is almost horrified by it. Do you guys think that Macbeth would still have came to this conclusion if Lady Macbeth did not push for him to kill Duncan in the first place?
@Kylie, I agree with your statement that Macbeth and Lady Macbeth have switched roles, especially after reading the scene when Lady Macbeth found out Banquo had been killed. In the beginning of the book when Macbeth wanted to become king and prove he was a man, Lady Macbeth pushed for him to kill Duncan in order to prove he was a completely brave man to her, and that he was willing to commit any action in order to become king. Lady Macbeth seemed to show how insensitive she was, and that she would do anything to get her husband to become king, making her gain a higher status. However, once she found out Banquo had died, she grew horrified, while tears rushed down her face, showing her sensitivity. I think this shows how they truly did switch roles since Macbeth had no problem getting rid of Banquo, however; Lady Macbeth seemed very upset.
ReplyDeleteTo answer your question, I think that if Lady Macbeth never encouraged Macbeth to kill Duncan, he would of never encountered the mindset that killing people is the answer to his safety. I think Macbeth had some hidden insecurities, especially about his manliness, and I think he also killed Duncan in order to prove to his wife he was manly enough to be her husband. Overall, I think Macbeth would have never killed anyone if it weren't for his wife's influence, so I think he would have never came to this current conclusion that killing people is okay, and that he shouldn't think before he acts.
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ReplyDeleteBy: Lauren Metviner
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, when Macbeth says "Be it thought and done" he is saying that he will immediately act upon his thoughts in the future without hesitation. By thinking and feeling, he has missed an opportunity and will kill Macduff's heirs before his anger subsides ("This deed I'll do before this purpose cool"). He was angry at himself for letting his feelings dictate or influence what he wanted to do. It seems that he wants his heart to be removed from the equation if it means being lenient but when his heart is telling him that he deserves whatever he wants and to get it at all costs, he believes his actions should be carried out immediately.
I agree that he and Lady Macbeth have switched roles and she begins to cares about people and feels guilt over killing while he initially was anxious and fearful and later becomes a killing machine with no remorse.
I think that Macbeth is saying how he should think and talk from his heart, and I agree with Lauren that his heart is telling him that he deserves all the power he can get and it does not matter who he takes down in his path. I also agree that from the beginning of the book, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth have switched roles. In the beginning, Lady Macbeth encourages him to kill Duncan and he really does not want to do it. He feels uncomfortable and nervous about doing it, but she convinces him to anyway and thinks he is a coward. After he does it, he immediately feels guilty and begins having nightmares about it. Later though, he becomes more thirsty for power and feels more comfortable killing anyone who is a threat to that. He becomes addicted to power and blood, while Lady Macbeth is nervous about what he is becoming and she is feeling it on her conscience.
ReplyDeleteI think there is a lot of irony in the book especially this switch between Lady Macbeth and Macbeth. After he kills Duncan, he realizes that he is already going to hell so he thinks; what's a killing a few more people going to do? As the book progresses, Lady Macbeth and Macbeth become more and more opposite. Macbeth becomes cold and vicious and he is comfortable and willing to get rid of anyone who crosses his path with absolutely no guilt, while Lady Macbeth is overcome with terror and remorse about the crimes her husband is committing. I find it interesting how the roles had switched drastically.
I think this quote means: From now on my hands will do what my heart says, and not hesitate because of moral dilemmas. In the beginning of the book Macbeth was having problems executing his plans due to his conscience. For example, when he was trying to kill King Duncan it took him a long time to finish his life off. Before Macbeth killed him he sat and stared at him for a few seconds. If he follows through on his new pact with himself, he wouldn't need to feel bad or hesitate to get what he wants. When Macbeth orders the hit on, his best friend, Banquo and his son he did not hesitate. This lack of awareness and self reflection is what leads him to his death. The people around him were able to see how crazy he became, which is why they left to England.
ReplyDeleteIn the beginning of the book, Lady Macbeth had no problem killing, yet Macbeth was very timid when it came to killing Thanes and kings. By the end of the story the roles of both of those two characters switched. Macbeth became savage like, and Lady Macbeth drowned in grief which ultimately killed her.
I agree with Noah in all his points and especially where he says that the guilt killed Lady Macbeth. It's what eventually drover her to suicide. In addition, I agree with Haley how Lady Macbeth and Macbeth switched roles and it's interesting that she originally took on a typical male role and a thirst for power and blood and later switched as did Macbeth.
ReplyDeleteJust to clarify I meant that Macbeth switched roles from being fearful (womanly) to blood thirsty and power hungry.
ReplyDelete