BOOKS 13-16

Book 13: Odysseus sets sail, and odysseus is dropped off on shore, along with all of his gifts. Poseidon spots Odysseus in Ithica, and punishes the Phaeacians by sinking their ship. Onlookers see this and decide to never help wayward travelers again. He wakes up and finds out he is in Ithica. Athena tells him that he needs to punish the suitors. She gives him the appearance of an old vagabond so that no one will recognize him.

Book 14: Odysseus finds Eumaeus outside his hut. Eumaeus invites him inside. They discuss Odysseus and Odysseus spends the night.

Book 15: Athena travels to Sparta and tells Telemachus to hurry home before the suitors succeed in taking his mother’s hand. She also tells him of the plot the suitors have planned. Helen predicts Odysseus will take revenge on the suitors. The next morning, Telemachus reaches the shores of Ithaca.

Book 16: Telemachus finds out Odysseus is his father. The formulate a plan of attack.

Theme:

If you are a loyal person, good things will happen to you

Eumaeus

Pisistratus

 Eurymachus

BOOKS 9-12

Books 9-12:

In which Odysseus recounts his journey thus far

Book 9: Odysseus and his men end up on the land of Cyclopes. Odysseus ends up stabbing Polyphemus, son of Poseidon, in the eye and thus causes Poseidon to have a beef with him (as in a problem with him, not an actual cow. That comes later).

Book 10: Odysseus and his men sail to the home of Aeolus, ruler of the winds. He gives Odysseus a bag of winds to help guide him home, but seals it tightly shut. The men are off, and are just off shore of their homeland when Odysseus falls asleep. Curiosity of the men gets the best of them, and they open the bag, propelling the ship quickly away from their land. They sail to the land of the Laestrygonians, who end up being really mean giants and destroy all but one of Odysseus’ ships. Next they sail to Aeaea, home of Circe. She turns his men into pigs, but Odysseus is helped by Hermes and forces her to turn them back to men. They live here for one year, but they finally leave to go to Hades and speak with the prophet Tiresias.

Book 11: Odysseus travels to the River of Ocean in the land of the Cimmerians. He preforms a sacrifice and speaks to Tiersias, who foretells Odysseus’ fate – that he would return home, reclaim his wife and palace, and make another trip to a distant land to try and patch things up with Poseiodon. He warns Odysseus not to touch the flocks of the sun, otherwise he won’t return home without more hardships and losing all of his crew. He then meets the spirit of his mother, who had died after Odysseus left for Troy. He then speaks of the various people he met in the underworld, and how the souls mobbed him and he sailed away.

Book 12: They head back to Circe’s island to give a proper burial to a newly deceased crewmember, then kept sailing. They passed by the island of the Sirens. His crew have their ears plugged, but Odysseus is tied to the mast and listens to their song. After this, they navigate the straits between Scylla and Charybdis. Scylla eats six of the sailors. The rest arrive on Thrinicia, and after being stranded for a month, his crew eat the cattle. They finally sail off the island, and Zeus destroys the ship and kills everyone except Odysseus. Odysseus ends up on Calypso’s island.

Theme: succumbing to temptation

They spend a long time on Circe’s island (1 year)

            Killing the cattle even though they weren’t supposed to

Character List:

Polyphemus

Aeolus

Antiphates

Circe

Elpenor

Tiresias

Anticleia

Agamemnon

Achilles

Ajax

Charybdis

Scylla

Eurylochus

BOOKS 5-8

BOOKS 5-8

“Odysseus’ Stay in Scheria”

Overall Summary:

In book five, Zeus sends Hermes to Calypso’s island to tell her to let Odysseus go home. Calypso complains about the double standard going on (i.e. gods can fall in love with any mortal, but when goddesses do the same the mortal is taken away from them), but follows what Zeus said. She helps Odysseus make a raft, and he sails away. After eighteen days at sea, he spots Scheria. Poseidon realizes that the other gods have been helping Odysseus and stirs up a storm. A goddess comes to Odysseus’ rescue, and gives him a veil that will help keep him afloat. After two nights being tossed around in the waves, he swims up a river and goes to sleep.

In book six, Athena appears in Nausicaa’s dream. She tells the princess to go to the river to wash her clothes so she will have more men courting her. Nausicaa does as Athena says, and plays ball with her handmaids. Odysseus wake up and pleads for their help. Nausicaa falls in love with him (shocker) but doesn’t want to be seen with him walking through the town. They start heading to the castle.

In book seven, a young girl who is Athena in disguise stops Odysseus. She shrouds him in a mist to keep him hidden from the townspeople. She tells him to direct his plea to Arête, the wise queen. Athena then goes to Athens. Odysseus throws himself at the queen’s feet. The queen and king promise to help him leave the island. The king offers Odysseus his daughter’s hand in marriage.

In book eight, councilmen approve of giving Odysseus a ship. A blind singer sings about the quarrel between Odysseus and Achilles, and Odysseus weeps. Odysseus is pressured into playing some games. A song is sung about Ares and Aphrodite. The king asks Odysseus who he is, where he is from, and where he is going.

Major Theme:

A major theme in these books is overcoming supernatural challenges. An example of this is when Calypso finally released Odysseus, surviving Poseidon’s wrath, etc.

Character List:

Hermes

Calypso

Odysseus

Ino

Poseidon

Nausicaa

Arete

Alcinous

Demodocus

Broadsea

Books 1-4

BOOKS 1-4

Overall Summary

In book one, Zeus and Athena are discussing Telemachus and his father. Athena visits Telemachus and tells him to call a meeting for all for all of his mother’s suitors.

In book two, Telemachus called a meeting for all of his mother’s suitors. He requested that they leave the property, but the men refused. They stated that his mother said she would marry when she was finished making a funeral shroud. For three years, she wove it, and then unraveled it at night. A servant tattled on her, and now she must marry. Telemachus prepares to head to sea to find out more about his father.

In book three, Nestor tells Telemachus about Odysseus and his experiences with the war. He sends his own son Pisistratus along to accompany Telemachus to Sparta.

In book four, Menelaus and Helen recognize Telemachus as Odysseus’ son. Telemachus finds out that his father is alive and imprisoned, and return to Pylos to set sail to Ithaca. Meanwhile, the suitors at Odysseus’s house learn of Telemachus’s voyage and prepare to ambush him upon his return.

Major Theme: Hospitality

Penelope and Telemachus allow the suitors to eat them out of house and home because in this society, how you treated your guests was very important. We also see this in book three, Nestor allows Telemachus and his crew to have a large meal before questioning anything. Basically, your guests are allowed to eat whatever they want when they arrive at your home. It wasn’t polite to reject them.

Character List:

Zeus

Telemachus

Athena (Mentes, Mentor)

Penelope

Aegyptius

Antinous

Eurymachus

Antinous

Halitherses

Eurycleia

Nestor

Pisistratus

Menelaus

Helen

MACBETH: Study Questions—ACT 5

MACBETH: Study Questions—ACT 5

Scene 1

1) What do the nurse (gentlewoman) and the doctor see?

Lady Macbeth sleepwalking and writing

2) What does Lady Macbeth mean when she says, “Out, damned spot! Out, I say!...will these hands never be clean.”

She can’t wash her sins away

3) What is wrong with Lady Macbeth at this point of the play?

She is going crazy because of the murders her husband committed

Scene 2

1) What happens in this scene? What new characters are introduced? Why?

Menteith, Caithness, Angus It shows that other Scottish thanes are rebelling against Macbeth.

2) What is the significance of the scene?

It shows that other Scottish thanes are rebelling against Macbeth.

3) What is meant when Caithness says, “Some say he’d mad; others that lesser hate him do call it valiant fury”?

Some say he is insane, others say Macbeth has brave anger, but he is not giving up.

Scene 3

1) How would you describe Macbeth’s attitude and mood in this scene?

He is confident and still feels invincible

2) Why isn’t Macbeth afraid? Do his soldier’s seem afraid? Why or why not?

The trees haven’t moved. They seem afraid because Macbeth is handing them their death sentence because he is rushing them into a battle they could be killed in.

Scene 4

1) What does Malcolm order the soldiers to do?

Have each soldier carry a tree branch to hide the numbers from Macbeth

Scene 5

1) What is meant when Macbeth says, “She should have died here-after”?

She should have waited to die until there was more time for mourning or she would have died eventually so it’s better now than later

2) What is the significant of the following quote, “Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player, that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is told no more. It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury signifying nothing.”

Life has no meaning

Scene 6

1) What is important about this scene?

The army reaches Macbeth’s castle and the battle begins

Scene 7

1) Who does Macbeth kill in this scene? What is significant about this death?

Young Siward, it signifies that no man of woman born could kill Macbeth

Scene 8

1) What happens in this scene?

Macbeth is slain and Malcolm is pronounced king

2) Why does Macbeth lose heart in the fight against Macduff?

Because Macduff was born via C-Section, therefore not technically of woman born

3) Who is named king at the end of the play?

Malcolm

Act Five Summary

ACT FIVE

Act five was the final act of the play. It opens with Lady Macbeth being observed by a doctor. She was pacing and giving away secrets late at night. In scene two, it shows several thanes are walking through the woods. It shows how many thanes have abandoned Macbeth and are trying to help take him down. In scene three, Macbeth learns of his wife’s illness and the fast approaching army. He still believes he is invincible, so he does not seem worried. In scene four, the army is cutting down trees and moving with them as a disguise. This is important because it shows that Macbeth is defeatable now that the trees have moved. It also shows appearance versus reality. In scene five, Macbeth is talking to his soldiers and Seyton. Macbeth learns of his wife’s death, and that the trees are moving. In scene six, Malcolm, Siward, and Macduff are talking about their battle plans. In scene seven, Macbeth kills Young Siward. In scene eight, Macbeth learns that Macduff was born of a C-section, therefore not technically woman born. He is slain and everyone lives happily ever after.

Alternately:

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Macbeth Act 4 Study Questions

Macbeth Act Four

Macbeth

4.1

1) What are the four visions that Macbeth sees?

-A child holding a tree with a crown

-Eight Kings and Banquo

-Armed head

-Bloody Child

2) Which visions does he misread or misunderstand and why?

That he’s invincible because trees will never move and everyone is born from a woman.

3) What news does Lennox bring Macbeth?

That Macduff is plotting against him in England.

4) What does Macbeth decide from Lennox’s news?

To kill everyone!!!!!!

5) How might this scene be a possible climax for the play?

This scene is the climax because this is where Macbeth begins to believe he is invincible and become a tyrant.

4.2

1) Why does Shakespeare include a scene with Lady Macduff and her son?
To show the choices that Macduff has to make. Lady Macbeth is upset with Macduff because he left them to save the country.

2) What is important about this scene?

Show Macbeth’s cruelty, and how he is trying to hurt Macbeth by killing innocent people.

3) List one motif or symbol from this scene?
How Lady Macduff is the wren that protects her chicks and Macbeth is the Owl that kills the chicks.

4.3

1) Why has Macduff come to England?

To recruit Malcolm and an army

2) What is Malcolm’s fear in lines 10-19?

You were buddies with Macbeth and I don’t trust you.

3) Who does the lamb represent in these lines?

The lamb is Malcolm

4) What is significant in the lines “Angles are bright still, though the brightest fell./Though all things foul would wear the brows of grace,/ yet grace must still look so.”

Macbeth is a fallen angel like Lucifer.

5) What is significant in the line, “Bleed, bleed, pour country!”
The country is falling apart because no one will stand up to Macbeth.

6) What does Malcolm call Macbeth? What list of adjectives does he use?

Macbeth is not a good ruler.
I grant him bloody,

Luxurious, avaricious, false, deceitful,

Sudden, malicious, smacking of every sin

That has a name.

7) How has Malcolm changed since Act II?
He runs away in Act II, but now he is coming back to fight

8) What is the atmosphere of this scene? Why is this important?
Hopeful, because Malcolm is saying he’ll come back and fight. This is important because it shows someone may take down Macbeth.

9) What news does the doctor bring? How is this symbolic to the scene, especially to Malcolm?
The doctor says a crowd is waiting for Edward the Confessor to heal him. God appoints kings, and the right king (Malcolm) can heal the country.

10) How many men did England lend Macduff?
10,000 soldiers

11) What does Macduff mean when he says, “But I must also feel it as a man.”

I still have to grieve, because I’m a person with emotions.

ACT 3 Study Questions

ACT 3 Study Questions

Scene 1

1) What is Banquo’s opening soliloquy about? Please translate it line by line.

Thou hast it now: king, Cawdor, Glamis, all,

As the weird women promised, and I fear

Thou played’st most foully for ’t. Yet it was said

It should not stand in thy posterity,

But that myself should be the root and father

Of many kings. If there come truth from them—

As upon thee, Macbeth, their speeches shine—

Why, by the verities on thee made good,

May they not be my oracles as well,

And set me up in hope? But hush, no more.

You have it all: king, thane of cawdor, thane of Glamis

Which the

I believe you played foul for it,

But they said that your posterity will not be kings

But mine will be

Many of my sons and gransons will be, if the witches are telling the truth

As they did for you, Macbeth

Maybe they’ll be telling the thruth for me too.

But ah, I’ll shut up now.

2) Why does Macbeth wish Banquo dead (name at least 2 reasons)—look at his speech in lines 50-76?

Reason One: Macbeth wants his future relatives to be kings, not Banquo’s.

Reason Two: Banquo knows

3) What is significant about the following quote, “For them the gracious Duncan I have murder;/ Put rancors in the vessel of my peace/ only for them,”

He’s saying that he killed Duncan only for the benefit of Banquo’s heirs. He’s ruined his peace of mind and in the end it won’t matter, because his offspring will not rule the throne

4) How does Macbeth convince the murders?
He blames all of their troubles on Banquo and states that it’s his fault they’re living this kind of life.

Scene 2

1) What is significant about the quote, “We have scotched the snake not killed it./ She’ll close and be herself, whilst our poor malice/ remains in danger of the former tooth.” What does Macbeth mean?
We have not killed off all opposing forces, so they will become powerful once again and we are still in danger.

2) Why does Macbeth tell his wife, “Be innocent of the knowledge dearest chuck,/ till thou applaud the deed.”?
It’s better that you don’t know about it until the deed is done.

3) What is significant in the quote, “Come, seeling night, Scarf up the tender eye of pitiful day,/ and with bloody and invisible hand/ cancel and tear to pieces that great bond/ which keeps me pale.” What is Macbeth saying and what is the great bond?

He’s saying for night to kill Banquo, because Banquo causes him to live in fear.

4) Explain the symbolism of crows, night and sleep in this scene. What does it suggest?

Sleep: healing

Crows: death

Night: where every thing bad happens

It suggests that the dark element to the play is not over yet and that there will be many more bad things happening.

Scene 3

1) What happens in this scene? What is botched?
Banquo is killed, but Fleance escapes. The murder is botched.

Scene 4

1) What event is most important in this scene?

Banquo’s ghost!
2) Why does Macbeth say, “There the grown serpent lies; the worm that’s fled/ hath nature that in time will venom breed,/ no teeth for the present.” What is he talking about? Who is he talking about?

3) What is significant about Banquo’s ghost? What does it suggest? How does Macbeth react to it? Is it real or in Macbeth’s mind?

It shows that Banquo’s ghost wants revenge. Macbeth is frightened because of it and weirding out his guests. I believe it is an illusion created by the witches.
4) Discuss how blood is used in this scene. What does it symbolize?
Banquo’s ghost wants revenge; blood causes more blood to be shed.

5) How does Lady Macbeth react to Macbeth’s visions?
She breaks up the party and tells him to go to bed.

Scene 5

1) Most critics think this scene was placed into Macbeth by a different/later author (someone other Shakespeare). Do you agree or not? Why?
I agree because it doesn’t to do anything to enhance the plot. Also, it is written differently from the rest of the play.

Scene 6

1) What does Lennox say in this scene about Fleance and Banquo?

That Fleance probably killed Banquo
2) What would have happened to Duncan's sons if Macbeth had them under lock and key?

He would have killed them.
3) Where did MacDuff go?

England

Vocabulary 2

Surfeited – excess; noun

Incarnadine – blood red; adjective

Augur – forsee a good or bad outcome; verb

Jocund – cheerful, merry; adjective

Perturbation – a state of anxiety; noun

Laudable – deserving praise; adjective

Abjure – to renounce or retract; verb

Rancor – bitter; noun

Sundry – various or diverse; adjective

Voluptuous – relating to or characterized by luxury or enjoyment; adjective

Macbeth Act II Questions

MACBETH: ACT II Questions

Scene i

1) Who says the following: “Their candles are all out. Take thee that too. A heavy summons lies like lead upon me, and yet I would not sleep. Merciful powers, restrain in me the cursed thoughts that nature gives away in repose.” What is significant about the quote? How has the atmosphere of the castle been changed?

Banquo, he has a bad feeling about something and cannot sleep because of it. He thinks something bad is going to happen, and the castle has a more foreboding feel to it.

2) Why does Banquo mention his dream of the Weird Sisters? Hint: Ironically this is his last dream.

Banquo states that part of what the witches predicted for Macbeth was true. It shows that he was really thinking about it and that it bothered him.

3) What does Macbeth say he and Banquo will talk about later in private?

Banquo’s dream about the witches

4) Reread lines 42-70. Briefly summarize what Macbeth is saying in this soliloquy.

Macbeth is hallucinating about a dagger that is leading him towards Duncan.

5) How does the illusion of the dagger play into the mindset of either witchcraft or Macbeth losing it?

Daggers don’t typically appear out of thin air, so I think it is a hallucination. Macbeth is very stressed out because of this whole I’m-going-to-become-a-murder ordeal, and he’s going a bit crazy because of it.

Scene ii

1) What does Lady Macbeth mean when she says, “That which hath made them drunk hath made me bold”?

The more alcohol that people drink the more confident she becomes with her actions

2) Symbolically what does the fatal bellman toll? More than one thing here. And who is the fatal bellmen—the one Lady Macbeth hears?

The bells that ring before an execution

3) How do you read the lines, “Had he not resembled my father as he slept, I had done ‘t.” What does this say about Lady Macbeth?

She doesn’t want to have any feelings, but this shows that she has emotions

4) Sleep is an important symbol in this play. Please keep a list of all the times (with line numbers) that sleep is mentioned in Act II. Attach and turn this list in with these questions.

5) What is meant when Macbeth says, “Sleep no more! Macbeth does murder sleep”?

He says that he heard this. He kills Duncan in his sleep, so this is a sort of a curse caused by the witches

6) Why is Lady Macbeth upset with Macbeth towards the end of scene ii?

He brought the dagger back

7) What is symbolic about the knocking that Macbeth and Lady Macbeth hear?

God knocking

8) What does Lady Macbeth say about washing of hands at the end of the scene? Do you believe her?

She says that washing the blood off her hands will clear her of the horrible deeds. No, the thoughts of it will haunt her for the rest of her life

Scene iii

1) How is the Porter a humorous character? What does he say about drink? How does he metaphorical set the atmosphere of the scene?

He’s pretending to be the gatekeeper of hell, and makes up people and has conversations with them. He talks about how drinking gets your hopes up but doesn’t let you get what you want. He shows that the castle has become a hell, but is also used as comic relief.

2) Who is at the gates? (more than 1 person)

Macduff (the agent of god) and Lennox

3) What does Macduff mean when he says, “Confusion now hath made his masterpiece!”?

He’s saying that something horrible has just happened.

4) How does Macbeth react to the news of the king’s murder? How does Lady Macbeth react?

Macbeth acts surprised and then confesses to killing the guards because of it. Lady Macbeth distracts everyone by “fainting”

5) Where do Donalbain and Malcolm decide to go? Why?

Donalbain decides to go to Ireland

Malcolm decides to go to England

They are the runners up for the throne and do not wish to be assassinated also.

Scene iv

1) What is meant by the old man when he says, “On Tuesday last, a falcon, tow’ring in her pride of place, was by a mousing owl hawked at and killed”? What is symbolically suggested here? Hint: Relate the birds to scene ii.

The Falcon is the king, while the owl is Macbeth

2) What does Macduff say about Malcolm and Donalbain?

They paid the servants to kill Duncan, then ran away.

3) What does Macduff say about Macbeth?

He is to be crowned

4) What is meant by the line, “Lest our old robes sit easier than our new”?

“Let’s hope things don’t get worse”

5) Why doesn’t Macduff go to the coronation?

He goes home because he is suspicious

Vocabulary 1

1) Mirth – amusement or laughter; noun

2) Liege – a lord; noun

3) Parricide – the act of killing one’s father, mother, or other close relative; noun

4) Verity – something that is true as a principle, belief, idea, or statement; noun

5) Avarice – insatiable greed for riches; noun

6) Avaunt – away; adverb

7) Posterity - succeeding or future generations collectively; noun

8) Homage - respect or reverence paid or rendered; noun

9) Cloistered - secluded from the world; sheltered; adjective

10) Equivocator - to use ambiguous or unclear expressions, usually to avoid commitment or in order to mislead; verb

11) Eminence – a high ranking; noun

12) Avouch – to make frank acknowledgement or affirmation of, declare or assert with positiveness; verb

13) Thralls – a person who is in bondage, slave; noun

14) Malevolence – the feeling of hatred; noun

Act I Study Questions

  Macbeth Study Questions
ACT I

Scene I:

1) The play opens with thunder and lightning as the three witches enter.  What does this tell us about the mood of the play?  What do the witches symbolize beyond just superstition?  Do you really believe that they are witches?

It shows that it is going to a dark, mysterious play.

They symbolize darkness, chaos, and conflict. You can tell because they seem right at home on the battlefield.

Yes.

2) What do the witches mean when they say, “Fair is foul, and foul is fair”?  What does this tell you about what is likely to go on during the play?

What seems fair might actually be foul, and what seems foul might actually be fair.

I think it sort of sets up the theme “Appearance Versus Reality.”

3) How can a battle be “Lost and won”?  What foreshadow might this set-up?  What is the real battle in this play?

It goes hand-in-hand with the "fair is foul” part. In every battle, there is a loser and a winner.

Winning and losing will become a major theme in the play.

It is a moral battle between what is right and what is wrong.

4) Graymalkin and Paddock are familiars (a cat and a toad).  What does this suggest about the action of the play?  What might they symbolize?

This suggests that the three women are witches. They are spirit animals created by Satan. The might symbolize evil, and that this might suggest the action of the play.

Scene II:

1) What does the bloody man report?

He says that it was a difficult battle and Macbeth killed Macdonwald

2) Why is Macdonwald a worthy rebel?

Because he had foot soldiers and horsemen and was very lucky

3) What similes or metaphors does the captain (the bloody man) use to describe Macbeth and Banquo?  What is significant about these descriptions?

Macbeth and Banquo are describes “as sparrows, eagles, or the hare, the lion” “As cannons over charg’d with double cracks” “They meant to bathe in reeking wounds” The bird motif appears multiple times throughout the play.

4)  “Except they meant to bathe in reeking wounds, or memorize another Golgotha.”  What is the allusion?  What is significant about the statement?   What does it suggest?  Please keep in mind the religious/superstitious images/symbols already presented.

This is an allusion to Golgatha, which is where Jesus was crucified. They were going to make this battle more famous than that. It suggests that this will be a very important part of Scottish history and a large part of the storyline.

5) Who was Scotland fighting?

Norway with a smidge bit of Ireland

Scene III

1) Why do the witches talk in poetry?

Because it’s like they’re casting a spell

2) What do the witches predict for Macbeth?  What is the dramatic irony involved?

They predict that he will be the king. The dramatic irony of this is that they predicted Banquo's children to be kind

3) What do they witches predict for Banquo?  What irony is involved in this promise?

The second witch says that he will be “Not so happy, yet much happier” than Macbeth. This is ironic because Macbeth feels that the more powerful he is, the happier he will be, when, in fact, Banquo will be less powerful but happier.

4) What is your first impression of Macbeth in scenes ii-iii?  What is your first impression of Banquo?

I don’t really like Macbeth, but maybe that’s because I know he kills someone just because he wants to be king.

Banquo is okay. I like him more than Macbeth because he seems nicer and more down to earth. Also, he has a pretty cool name.

5) How do Macbeth and Banquo differ in their reactions to the witches predictions?  What does this tell us about their characters?

Macbeth is a bit confused, but hopeful whereas Banquo doesn’t believe it to be true and is skeptical. It shows us that Macbeth is more of a dreamer whereas Banquo is more realistic.

6) What message does Ross bring?

The news that Macbeth has been appointed Thane of Cawdor

7) “But ‘tis strange!  And oftentimes, to win us to our harm, the instruments of darkness tell us truths, win us with honest trifles, to betray us in deepest consequence.”  Who speaks the above quote?  What is the significance or meaning of the quote?


Banquo is telling Macbeth that the agents of evil often tell us part of the truth to lead us to our own destruction. They earn our trust by telling us the truth about little things, but then they betray us when it will damage us the most.


Scene IV

1) What is Malcolm’s description of Cawdor’s execution?

“I have spoke with one that saw him die, who did report that very frankly he confessed his treasons, implored your highness' pardon, and set forth a deep repentance. Nothing in his life became him like the leaving it. He died as one that had been studied in his death to throw away the dearest thing he owed as ’twere a careless trifle.”

2) What is the King’s response to this description?

There’s no art to find the mind’s construction in the face. He was a gentleman on whom I built an absolute trust.

3) Who does the King name as his successor?  How does Macbeth react to this information?

Malcom. Macbeth responds by saying to the King he would only be happy when working for him, but knows that he will either have to give up or get rid of Malcom

4)  “Stars hide your fires!  Let not light see my black and deep desires.  The eye wink at the hand; yet let that be, which the eye fears, when it is done, to see.”  Who speaks this quote and what is the significance of it?

Macbeth. He is afraid that he won’t stop until he becomes king, no matter how bad of a person he will become.

ACT 1 

1. What is the point of the first scene (literally) and in reference to the whole play? 

  

It is foreshadowing and shows how dark the play is going to be. Also, it makes for a pretty spooky character introduction.

2. What does Duncan call Macbeth when he hears Macbeth has defeated Macdonwald? 

  

O valiant cousin! Worthy gentleman!

  

3. Who is sentenced to death? 

  

The original thane of Cawdor 

4. What do the witches predict in Act I, Scene 3 for Macbeth?  For Banquo? 

Macbeth they tell him that is currently the Thane of Cawdor and will become King in the near future.

Banquo: they are more vague, but they tell him He will be “lesser than Macbeth but also greater. Not as happy as Macbeth yet much happier. Your descendants will be kings, even though you will not be one.” Which foreshadows Macbeth’s future downfall

  

5. Who news does Ross bring Macbeth? 

  

That he is now the Thane of Cawdor (yippee)

6. Banquo, like Macbeth, is surprised that the witches have predicted Macbeth’s new title.  He is, however, leery.  What does he say about the motives of the “instruments of darkness” ? 

  

7. Malcolm describes Cawdor’s last moments before execution.  What is Duncan ’s reply? 

“There’s no way to read a man’s mind by looking at his face. I trusted Cawdor completely.”

  

8. Macbeth says, “Stars, hide your fires.  Let not light see my black and deep desires.”  What are Macbeth’s desires? 

  

To become king, no matter what it takes. (bad call, dude.)

  

9. After Lady Macbeth reads the letter, what does she tell us is her opinion of Macbeth, and how does she plan to help him? 

  

She thinks that he may not have the ability to become king. She plans to talk him into taking the king down and taking the throne for himself.

  

10. What is Lady Macbeth’s “prayer” to the spirits after she learns Duncan is missing? 

  

She’s asking to become more like a man so she can not feel guilty for helping cause someone’s death.

11. What advice does Lady Macbeth give Macbeth when he arrives home? 

  

“Smile and wave, Macbeth. Smile and wave.”

12. What are Macbeth’s arguments to himself against killing Duncan ? 

  

He wants to just pause for a while and be The Thane of Cawdor because that’s a huge honor, and that killing someone after they reward you is not the right thing.

13. What arguments does Lady Macbeth use to convince Macbeth to commit the murder? 

  

That Macbeth would be a total sissy if he didn’t go along with the plan.

14. What is Lady Macbeth’s plan? 

1) Get the king’s servants absolutely wasted

2) Kill the king

4) Put blood all over the servants

Hyphen Corrections

1. The little lost girl had that I'm-going-to-cry-again look on her face.

2. Spies must have the I-like-danger attitude to be successful.

3. We found many interesting things in a forty-year-old trunk.

4. He gave an I-dare-you-to-touch-me sneer to the others.

5. Did you read that hair-raising story last night?

***

1. In the woods we saw many flowers including a jack-in-the-pulpit.

2. One old toy that everyone used to have was a jack-in-the-box.

3. The sergeants-at-arms will escort him from the courtroom.

4. The ship's captain enjoyed using the cat-o'-nine-tails on disobedient sailors.

5. Finding the man seemed to be just a will-o'-the-wisp

***

1. Jim was the runner-up in the race.

2. The sailors attached the ship to the tie-up.

3. Let's get something to eat at a drive-in.

4. The jump-off was the beginning of the war.

5. This meal is certainly first-rate.

***

1.     It was hard to find an anti-imperialist among the rulers of ancient Rome.

2. I believe that man had a pre-existence before this life.

3. Can you de-energize that bomb in time?

4. If you take that medicine, it could cause the body to be anti-immune.

5. The concerned group was starting an anti-immoral movement.

***

1. We studied the Franco-Prussian War in our history class.

2. For tomorrow read chapters 6-9 in your geography book.

3. The decade 1950-1959 was a great time to grow up.

4. The New York-Paris flight will leave on time.

5. Study your letters l-z for the next quiz.

Dialectical Journals 27-55

Dialectical Journal 28

“After all, everyone belongs to everyone else.” (Page 43)

This pretty much sums up their society. People have no individuality and no sexual boundaries. Their only limitations are those placed on them in their embryo state and during conditions.

Dialectical Journal 29

“Our Ford’s: History is bunk….is bunk.”

This is to remind people that history is worthless and dangerous to study. Knowing history allows one to have knowledge outside their own lifetime and this makes people think, which is what this society doesn’t want to happen.

Dialectical Journal 30

“A New Theory of Biology…if one didn’t have to think about happiness.” (pg 177)

Strangely by not allowing an emotional commitment to another person and not to be allowed to think and wonder, the World State believes they are keeping people in a state of happiness. When, in fact, they are not allowing the people to grow intellectually through these emotional or intellectual experiences.

Dialectical Journal 31

“How much I love you…..holy rit.” (Page 191)

John has committed a sin in Lenina’s world by bringing to her the emotion of love. Even though she has been frustrated with him, she cannot understand the commitment of marriage or being together with only one person. He quotes Shakespeare, which further confuses her. Their two worlds are about to collide.

Dialectical Journal 32

“Whore……clenched his fists.” ( Page

 John’s savage’s world and Lenina’s world of no emotion are no longer compatible. Brought up by the Indian way of life by having to prove himself to become a man, he tries to prove himself to Lenina, but she misinterprets what he wants. He desires marriage, which is something that was taken away from him when Kiakime was married to another man. By Lenina giving herself to him and other men, she is no longer on a pedestal but has become a whore like his mother was in the village.

Dialectical Journal 33

“Pope!.......Every one belongs to every” (Pages 204 – 205)

John is trying to remember the good times with his mother, but she ruins this by focusing on Pope and not her son. This brings back all the bad memories, which foreshadows events to come. Her last words are a reminder that no one belongs to anyone in this society, and this is something that John cannot deal with.

Dialectical Journal 34

“She steps forward….warblings of the Super-Wurlitzer.” (Page 207)

Once Linda dies there is nothing left for him except his belief in God, which comes from the world of the Indians. The children’s and nurse’s reaction to her death make him realize how cruel the people. All of the advantages of living in this world have now become morally wrong to John.

Dialectical Journal 35
“Linda had been a slave…….Poison to soul as well as body.” (Page 210 – 211)
John takes out his frustration of Linda’s early death from too much soma, by trying to release others from its bad effects. The drug removes any human suffering, which John believes is the key to spiritual development. The soul cannot be nurtured if it is numb all the time.
Dialectical Journal 36
“Go away, little girl….suffer little children, said the controller.” (Page 56)
Mustapha is referencing the bible where Jesus says, “Suffer the little children to come unto me,” when his companions are trying to send the children away. This mirrors when D.H.C. tells the children to leave his fordship alone.
Dialectical Journal 37
“Because our world is not the same as Othello’s….can’t help behaving as they ought to behave.” (Page 220)
The Controller is justifying the outcome of making the world stable. Their interpretation of what stable means is unchanging just like the people. The World Controllers have done this through conditioning. If the people don’t know that something exists, then they cannot want it, and therefore will be happy.
Dialectical Journal 38
“Thank Ford! He was not…..still not unoccupied.” (Page 79)
The Solidarity Group was made of 12 people, which is the same number of the Apostles of Jesus. They were chosen to carry the true message of God to all nations. Ford is compared to God, and each person must attend a solidarity group to hear the message, carry it forward, and to be unified in Ford as those Apostles were unified in God.
Dialectical Journal 39
“The President stood up, made the sign of the T.” (Page 80)
Another reference to Christianity as Catholics make the sign of the cross before they begin their prayers. The President makes the sign of the T before the starting the Solidarity Service referencing Ford as God.
Dialectical Journal 40
“The loving cup of strawberry ice-cream soma was passed from hand to hand and, with the formula.” (Page 81)
Instead of the usual bread and wine of the Christian communion ritual, soma and ice cream are used. Ironically, the eating of bread was actually meant to study, internalize, and contemplate the Bible and the word of God, but the World State has banned the Bible and, along with it, spirituality.
Dialectical Journal 41
“Orgy-porgy, Ford and fun,
Kiss the girls and make them One.
Boys at one with girls at peace;
Orgy-porgy gives release. “ (Page 84)
Hymns, chanting and dancing, which are all related to church services, are used to alter the Solidarity ceremony into a sexual orgy instead of a religious experience. Sex is used to unite multiple individuals.
Dialectical Journal 42
“Didn’t you think it was wonderful…..perhaps it was his own fault.” (Page 85-86)
All who attended the Solidarity Group feel fulfilled and invigorated except for Bernard who cannot connect with the group. They lack individuality and a sense of self-awareness that Bernard has. He feels unfulfilled by this sexual orgy experience.
Dialectical Journal 43
“You’re a friend of the prisoner’s….waiting police car.” (Page 216)
Bernard finally has a self-realization that he is an individual like Helmholz and John. This is a foreshadow of what is to come and that he has accepted his fate of being sent to an island, which is something he has fought all along to keep from happening to him.
Dialectical Journal 44
“There was a loud noise, and he woke up…..hated Pope.” (Page 124 – 125)
Linda, Pope, and John are caught in an Oedipus complex triangle. John hates Pope who acts like John’s father and falls in love with his mother, Linda, his opposite parent. John even tries to kill Pope so he can have his mother to himself. It is ironic, because even in Linda’s death, John cannot have her to himself.
Dialectical Journal 45
“The Savage struck at his own rebellious flesh…at his feet.” (Page 258)
After all these years, John finally becomes the sacrifice of the ceremony paralleling the Indian ceremony in which a boy was sacrificed through being wiped to death to satisfy Pookong and Jesus. John’s fantasy was to be that boy to show that he was a man and to belong to a community.



Dialectical Journal 46
“But I don’t want comfort…I claim them all, said the Savage at last.” (Page 240)
John has finally chosen which world he wants to belong in: the Indian world. He is willing to accept all the responsibilities and hardships resulting from having knowledge, spirituality, and emotions. John demands to be allowed to feel unhappiness as well as happiness from this society that won’t allow this independent behavior.
Dialectical Journal 47
“Now I am purified,” said the Savage.” (Page 242)
John is purging himself from society’s wrongful way of life. Their minds are manipulated, there is no freedom of choice, and their emotional and intellectual abilities have been altered. John is choosing to take control of his life, and this is a foreshadow of events to come.
Dialectical Journal 48
“ The Savage had chosen his hermitage the old lighthouse….civilizedly luxurious.” (Page 243 & 244)
The lighthouse has become his sanctuary and heavenly place to heal and worship the God he use to know. He is using all the tradition Indian medicines and rituals to help in this healing process. But just as at the reservation, outside forces can invade the peace at any time and change the outcome of events.
Dialectical Journal 49
“From time to time……fainting from the pain.” (244)
John’s actions mirror the crucifixion of Jesus. Jesus sacrificed himself to save mankind from eternal damnation, and John is punishing himself for the actions of the world. Both were outcasts and believed that god was the authority and not the local and World State Government.
Dialectical Journal 50
“He wouldn’t let me. Why not?” (Page 243)
Why doesn’t Mustapha allow John to go off with Helmholtz where he might find true happiness since he hasn’t so far? Maybe because John is the only one who hasn’t had to be banished for knowing too much because he can hide under the façade of being a savage. This also allows a chance for Mustapha to have intelligent conversations with another human being.
Dialectical Journal 51
“He tried to think of poor Linda….you strumpet.” (Page 252)
Even in his cleansing state, John is not able to disengage himself from the two people he loved: his mother and Lenina. He calls them strumpet or prostitute and attacks the imaginary Lenina because she is clouding the memories of his mother. The very word society considers evil and dirty when John himself believes that Lenina is the one who is wicked not his mother. He whips himself trying to feel physical not emotional pain.
Dialectical Journal 52
“Charming, charming giving her two or three……away after the others.” (Page 17)
This is the first glimpse into the society that has no sexual boundaries. It is treated informally and publicly not privately. This leads to no emotional attachments.
Dialectical Journal 53
“Bernard’s physique was hardly…..which they had their being.” (Page 64 – 65)
Even though Bernard was a Alpha and should be at the top of the caste system, he feels incompetent because of the way he looks. He has an inferiority complex due to his shortness, which attributes to his feeling of being separate for society and allows him to have more independent thinking.
Dialectical Journal 54
 “Lenina looked down through…. aphides and ants…departure of helicopters.” (Page 63)
This shows a society that is helped by technology, but it is also imprisoned by it. Technology rules everything including everything from the embryo to death. No one can be truly happy because they cannot explore anything beyond what technology has to offer. The people act like little machines in their actions and life. They have been pre-programmed since birth.
Dialectical Journal 55
“Kill it, kill it……pair of feet.” (Page 258 & 259)
This is the end for John. He finally joins the crowd and loses his individualism. He no longer stands alone, but becomes a member of the society of everything he loathes. He cannot deal with his actions and in the end the only way out of this mess is to kill himself.

Vocabulary List Six

Palliate – to relieve or lessen without curing, alleviate; verb

Confiscate – to seize by or as if by authority; verb

Inundate – to flood or overwhelm; verb

Deprecate – to express earnest disapproval of; verb

Exonerate – to relieve, as from an obligation, duty, or task; verb

Capitulate – to surrender unconditionally; verb

Svelte – slender, adjective

Diurnal – of or pertaining to a day or each day, daily; adjective

Canopy – a covering of some type; noun

Patrimony – an estate inherited from one’s father or ancestors; noun

Dialectical Journals 22-27

Dialectical Journal 22

“The lower the caste….. seventy eyeless monsters.” (Page 14)

The only way to create their perfect caste system is to make everyone less smart than the Alphas. Even with all their highly scientific experiments, they are not able to make people any smarter just diminish everyone else.

Dialectical Journal 23

“Here the Director made a sign on the T on his stomach….followed suit.” (Page 25)

This explains what A.F. refers to: the model T designed by Henry Ford. He was the first to begin mass manufacturing vehicles, and his production increased by approximately 100 percent in each of the first three years. This parallels what World State is doing by mass producing identical people through the splitting of the embryo.

-      

Dialectical Journal 24

“Going to the Feelies…..tactual effects.” (Page 35)

This is another way the World State dehumanize sex and removes any emotional attachment to it. The more common place the act is; the less important it becomes.

Dialectical Journal 25

“Dr. Wells advised me to…….sensible girl.” (Page 38)

In this scientific world, no one can become pregnant because babies aren’t born only decanted from a bottle. Women have either been sterilized in the embryo state or take a mandatory birth control. This ensures that the family and its values will never return.

Dialectical Journal 26

“Do you mean to tell me you’re still going out with Henry Foster?” (Page 40)

This alludes to the fact that Lenina may have feelings for Henry, which is definitely prohibited in this emotionless society. Feelings may lead to love, one partner, marriage, and a family. Everything that this civilization has been taught is wrong.

Dialectical Journal 27

“Our Ford – or Our Freud…..suicide.” (Page 39)

Ford is being compared to Sigmund Freud and his discovery that children want to be involved with the parent of the opposite sex and feel threatened by the same sex parent. Because of this complex, parents, brothers, and sister are at odds with each other and just created misery and unhappiness.

Dialectical Journals 19,20,21

(I don't know how I got this blue line here....)

Dialectical Journal 19

“Consider the horse…. Sighed and shook head.” (Page 14 & 15)

The Director feels that his society has risen above the animals, but his scientists are experimenting with the human race to emulate the growth of animals to make them a perfect Epsilon. The scientists have no trouble testing human embryos and do not care what happens to these people as long as they achieve the results they are looking for. This could be compared to the horrific experiments the Nazi doctors performed on innocent children and women in order to create a perfect race.

 

Dialectical Journal 20

“See out the books…..their  howling suddenly increased.” (Page. 20 & 21)

The nurses use Pavlov conditioning, which was founded by using dogs to learn an action through a punishment and reward system, in order for the Deltas to learn to avoid roses and books. Psychologically, this drops the class to the position of animals.

Dialectical Journal 21 

“They’ll have it repeated…. advanced lessons.” (Page 28)

Propaganda begins at birth and can be done when the children are asleep in an unconscientiously state. This process is started with at birth so no one can have a chance to form any opinions. The children are still young and innocent enough to believe everything they are told by authority figures. 

Dialectical Journals 17 and 18

“The Savage, wrote Bernard, refuses……. From an unpleasant object.” (Pg 160 & 161)

Ironically, it is Bernard who has been conditioned from birth, and John has not.  Bernard’s behavior has changed from sympathizing with John in the Indian village, being an individual, and questioning society. Now that he has John to use as a pawn, his world is accepting him, and he is famous. He is accepting society’s norms and is finding fault with John instead of being accepting of him and his behaviors.

 

“Oh brave new world…..though the solid earth had been a helicopter in an air pocket.” (Pg. 160)

This repeated line shows the development of John’s view toward the World State. At first, he was filled with wonder and amazement with the anticipation of coming to a “new world.” After being shown around the factory, he realizes that all the workers having the same jobs look identical, which goes across his beliefs of individuality and spirituality. He is being made sick by the reality of this “new world.”

Dialectical Journals 15 and 16

Buzz, buzz! The hive was humming…..above the empty bottles!” (Pg. 147)

This is another reference to the theme and role that animals play in this book. Bloomsbury Centre is compared to a beehive. They work together in a structured setting. Each individual has a role to play and a job to perform with the Queen Bee being the Director. Like the Queen Bee, the Director has control over each egg and person’s destiny.

 

“The return to civilization was for her the return to soma……But we can’t.” (Pg 154)

Linda is still caught between two worlds: the civilized world and uncivilized Indian world. Both won’t accept her so she does what she has been taught to do since birth; turn to drugs. She uses alcohol to drown out her sorrows and help her cope in the Indian world and now has returned to soma. Both will eventually kill her, but soma will faster, and no one cares as long as they don’t have to deal with her. Even her own son realizes that it is easier to have her drugged out.

8-10 Study Questions

1)What is strange about "Bye Baby Bunting Soon You'll Need Decanting"?  What is the allusion?  (124)

It is an allusion to a popular English language nursery rhyme. Originally it was not about test-tube babies, instead it was about a father going out hunting to gather rabbit skins to wrap the baby in.

2) Why does Linda hit John?  What does she blame him for?  Is this right?  Is it understandable why she resents him?

Linda hits John because he is the reason she is stuck living with the savages. It’s not right to hit your child and hate them for being alive. I understand why she would resent them, though. Because she had a child, she would never fit in back at the city.

3) What is your opinion of Pope?  Why?  Anything ironic about his name?

I don’t like him very much. He seems very sleazy and untrustworthy because his objective in life is to get Linda drunk. It was nice of him to bring the William Shakespeare book to John, though. The Pope is considered a holy man which is very unlike this Pope.

4) How did Linda teach John to read?  What becomes John's bible?  Is there anything ironic about this?

She would write phrases on the wall using a piece of charcoal. His bible became The Complete Works of William Shakespeare. Just like Shakespeare, there are many different ways to interpret the bible, and I don’t think everyone understands either work completely.

5) "Nay, but to live/ in the rank sweat of an enseamed bed,/ stew'd in corruption, honeying and making love/ over the nasty sty".  What is significant about this quote?  (131)

It was a Hamlet allusion. It talked to him about Linda. It gave him a reason to hate Pope more.

6) Why does John try to kill Pope?  What is Pope's reaction?  How does Shakespeare influence these thought?

John tries to kill Pope because he sees him getting down with his mom, but Pope just laugh at him. Shakespeare influences his thoughts by making what Pope and Linda were doing gross.

7)  "He had discovered Time and Death and God" (136).  What is significant about this quote?

In this place, people will not realize that time is passing and the world will be the same, but the people will be different.

In this book, there is a long amount of adolescence and then a sudden death.

There is no god because god is a tie and there is a philosophical connection with life.

8)  How are John and Bernard alike?

They’re both loners.

9)  "I did something that none of the others did.  I stood against a rock in the middle of the day, in summer, with my arms out, like Jesus on the Cross."  "What on earth for?"  "I wanted to know what it was like being crucified."  (137).  What is significant about this quote?

John went off his rocker. He wanted to experience what it was like being god.

10) At the end of chapter 8 the title of the book appears in a quote from the Tempest.  This quote will be used throughout the book, but its meaning will change with each use.  What is the meaning of the quote here?  (137)

The meaning of the title of the story Brave New World is revealed through Bernard’s invitation for John to join him in his civilized world. John quotes Shakespeare’s The Tempest comparing Bernard’s world to a “brave new world.” John thinks this is his chance to fit into a society and belong since the Indian world will not accept him for who he is. 

11) List the allusions to Romeo and Juliet in chapter 9.  What ideas do they reinforce?

“Her eyes, her hair………..The cygnet’s down is harsh…” (Page 144)

“On the white………..Still blush, as thinking their own kisses sin.” (Page 144)

“Dare to profane with his unworthiest hand…” (Page 144)

12)  Why is the Social Predestination Room compared with a Hive in chapter 10?

It is very loud and crowded and it is a reoccurring comparison between the city and nature. It shows that everybody relies on each other.

13)  How does Bernard turn the "Public example" on Tomakin?

He turns on the public example by showing that Tomakin is a father.

14)  Is there meaning (perhaps irony and an allusion) in John falling on his knees and saying (loudly) "My Father"?  (151)

It is a biblical allusion. It’s ironic that Tomakin is a father because he is the person who may be the very most against relationships.