Author: Albion

Question 1: What does the poem’s title mean?

The poem’s title means that the author of the poem does not know what she is able to call the boy who is standing outside the door. Firstly, she describes the boy as a “terrorist”, then changing it to a “freedom-fighter”. In Line 19, Imitiaz Dharker says “I saw his face” and this is when the poem’s atmosphere changes. The mood of the poem goes from a sense of fear for the boy outside to a sense of empathy towards the boy.

Shakespeare uses language to show that Macbeth’s state of mind is starting to deteriorate. He has doubts about several actions throughout the play and it all starts with “The Dagger”. Ultimately, the disease of ambition with which he is infected, drives him to kill King Duncan and from here on in in the play, he is internally destructing. Macbeth originally faced a dilemma as whether to kill the King or not.

The reason why Macbeth faced the dilemma of whether to kill King Duncan is that he believed tat justice will prevail, meaning that he will have to face the consequences of his actions. This is evident when he reveals that “even-handed justice” will force him to drink from his own “poisoned chalice”. This means that Macbeth understands the severity of regicide further showing how ambition is like a disease and can overpower the thought of wrong-doing. Shakespeare has done this in order to show us the audience how mentally weak Macbeth is and that ambition leads to internal destruction. This is the first point in the play where Macbeth’s mental state begins to deteriorate.

The second moment in the play where the deteriorating Macbeth is clearly evident is when he sees the ghost of Banquo. In Act 3 Scene 4, Macbeth and all the other noble people within Scotland are having a banquet to celebrate the coronation of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. During this banquet, Macbeth had sent some murderers to kill Banquo and Fleance (his son). Now that Banquo is dead, Macbeth begins to hallucinate as he stands up to give a speech, he encounters the ghost of Banquo that only he can see. This is evident when Macbeth says “The table’s full” clearly pointing in the direction that Macbeth is starting to deteriorate mentally. Shakespeare has done this in order to show the audience that psychological impacts that the guilt is having on Macbeth and how his deterioration from earlier on in the play is getting worse.

The final moment where Macbeth deterioration is clearly evident and potentially has tipped him over the edge is when Macbeth is told in Act 5 Scene 5 by the Seyton that Lady Macbeth has just committed suicide (my theory is that she jumps off the castle) and at this moment, time stops for Macbeth. He is his own little paradox. It is at this point in the play when we see what all of hassle he went through was for. It is shown that Macbeth did all of this for his wife when he says “Life’s but a walking shadow” signifying that life is only lived for a short while and that you have to make the most of it. He life hasn’t ended as of yet but now his one love, his soul and his companion has gone, half of him has gone as well. Another reason why half of him is gone is because he has lost the iambic pentameter he is accustom to. This is clearly demonstrated when he says “She should have died hereafter;”. This is quoted from the start of the speech and is very interesting because it starts in iambic pentameter and the audience at the time would’ve known that he started like this. However, he doesn’t complete the iambic pentameter and that would have shocked the audience as he is the King of Scotland. In this quote he has spoken in iambic quatmeter. The last person who spoke out of the “higher class” rhythm is no longer there, could this be the start of his demise as well? It feels as though his demise is almost complete.

In Act 5 Scene 5, Macbeth has just found out that Lady Macbeth has just jumped off the castle. This is the quote.

She should have died hereafter; There would have been a time for such a word. Creeps in this peety pace from day to day and all our yesterdays have lighted fools the way to dusty death. Out, out brief candle, life’s but as walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more. It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury signifying nothing. 

1) Macbeth means that after the death of Lady Macbeth he questions the point of living.

2) At this point in the play, 10,000 troops are on their way disguised at Birnam Wood to Dunsinane Castle where Macbeth is staying and his wife is dead.

3) “Life’s but a walking shadow”. This personification is used by Shakespeare in order to present the ideology of the struggles Macbeth is now facing with what life actually means. Shadow symbolises the darkness Macbeth has within. Furthermore, the scenario is paradoxical as a shadow cannot walk or be there unless someone casts that shadow.

Semantics: The meaning of a piece of text.

Act 3 Scene 1: Banquo has arrived at the royal palace in Forres and gets straight into accusing Macbeth of killing Duncan. Then enters Macbeth (King) and Lady Macbeth who is queen enter. Banquo goes riding with his son Fleance and Macbeth is left alone on the stage. Macbeth talking to the audience says he is afraid that Banquo will reveal it was Macbeth that killed Duncan. He then says that Banquo was clever enough to plan a plot against him even though he hasn’t yet. Macbeth then says that he has a problem that he doesn’t have children of his own to pass the crown to. Macbeth at the end says he is jealous of Banquo’s children because they get to be King without living through the agony he has and legally. Macbeth is interrupted by the servant and 2 murderers. He talks to them about all the previous encounters. Macbeth then tells the murderers their poverty is down to Banquo. Macbeth asks them rhetorically if they want to die a beggar or a noble man.

Act 3 Scene 2: Lady Macbeth is in a room with a servant and asks him or her to tell the King (Macbeth) that she would like to speak to him. Lady Macbeth is expressing regret. This is important. This is where the characters cross over. Macbeth seems relaxed and Lady Macbeth is panicking. Lady Macbeth says to Macbeththat they shouldn’t dwell on the events. Macbeth says that the deed isn’t completed as they still haven’t killed Banquo. Lady Macbeth says that they need to put on a brave and happy front because they are now King and Queen of Scotland. And make our vizards to out hearts. 

Act 3 Scene 3: The 3 murderers enter ready to kill Banquo (ME). Banquo gets killed and Fleance escapes. The murderers take Banquo’s body.

Act 3 Scene 4: Macbeth greets everyone at the banquet. The first murderer tells Macbeth that Banquo’s dead but Fleance is still alive. Macbeth then starts to talk to the ghost of Banquo who is sitting in Macbeth’s chair. Lady Macbeth calms everyone down saying he usually does this. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth starts an individual conversation with Lady Macbeth saying that he needs to stop hallucinating and Macbeth is trying to explain that Banquo was in his chair.

Act 3 Scene 5: This scene is all about the witches. Hecate is the predominate speaker and is the chief witch.

Act 2 Scene 1: Through the dialogue, Shakespeare is trying to show us that time has passed. Banquo has been having nightmares. Macbeth enters and says “a friend”. This is incredible dramatic because Macbeth isn’t really Banquo’s friend because of Banquo’s children to become King. Banquo is saying to Macbeth that he is constantly dreaming about the witches. In response, Macbeth says that he is not thinking about theverything witches at all when in fact he is acting upon their comments.

Soliloquy Analysis: 

“Is this a dagger which I see before me, the handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee: I have thee not, and yet I see thee still. Art thou not, fatal vision, sensible to feeling as of sight? Or art thou but a dagger of the mind, a false creation, proceeding from the heat-oppressed brain?”

Act 2 Scene 2: Lady Macbeth successfully got the guards drunk. Someone starts talking to Lady Macbeth and she believes it’s one of the guards. It turns out to be Macbeth how has completed the deed. Lady Macbeth then says that if they carry on arguing and thinking constantly about it they will go mad.

Act 2 Scene 3: A pantomime character known as Porter starts having a joke with the audience about Macbeth. He indirectly talks about Macbeth using references such as “O come in equivocator” and “who committed treason enough for God’s sake”. He is provoking the audience as we all know Macbeth killed Duncan but this character that has come onto the stage shouldn’t know that happened. He also uses several references to the devil. Macduff encounters Porter who says he is drunk. Macbeth, Lennox and Macduff exchange sentences talking about how they will do anything to be loyal to the king. Macduff returns from entering the chamber of Duncan and found out that someone has killed him. Lady Macbeth enters and finds out from Macduff that the king was surprised. She sounds so shocked despite knowing it was her husband and she was part of it. Macbeth then starts talking to the audience saying that now that Duncan is dead, his values are meaningless. Important quote “All is but toys; renown and grace is dead”. Macbeth then tells Duncan’s 2 sons Donaldbain and Malcolm that their father is dead. Lennox then says that the guards killed him. Macbeth kills the guards on the spot. Macbeth talks indirectly about himself saying that his “gashed stabs looked like a breach in nature”. Donaldbain says to Malcolm the reasons why they are not crying and saying anything yet because if someone wanted Duncan dead in order to become King, Donaldbain and Malcolm are their next targets to fulfill their attempts to become King. Malcolm and Donaldbain have a conversation within each other and saying they need to get out of the country as quickly as possible. Finally they agree that Malcolm will go you England and Donaldbain will go to Ireland. Donaldbain says that we should not trust these people who are suspicious in order to protect themselves.

Act 2 Scene 4: Ross and an Old man are outside Macbeth’s castle and using metaphor after metaphor to state how unnatural life seems tonight. Macduff enters and talks about who could have possibly killed Duncan because they don’t believe the guards did it for themselves and they were set up to do it. Macduff thinks it’s Malcolm and Donaldbain because they have left. Macduff will not go to the coronation of Macbeth because he is thinking of the possibility that Macbeth killed the king.

Act 1 Scene 1: In a desolate place 3 witches are there and there is thunder and lightning. ‘Where the hurly-burly’s done, When the battle is lost or won.’

Act 1 Scene 2: King Duncan’s camp near Forres. Alarum within. Enter King, Malcolm, Donald-Bain, Lennox, with Attendants, meeting a bleeding Captain. “As 2 spent swimmers that do cling together and choke their art”. This metaphor used by the captain is symbolizing the battle is evenly match and both sides are “leaning” on each other. The fact that the swimmers are “clinging” onto each other could also symbolise that they are in desperate times and fighting an incredibly enduring battle against MacDonald who is against the king and looking to claim his territory. Fortune is on MacDonald’s side and is personifying it when said “And fortune on his damned quarrel smiling showed like a rebel’s whore”. This quote shows that MacDonald is said to have Lady Luck on his side throughout the battle but this character “Macbeth” with his “brandished steel” went through the entire army and stuck the sword from the “nave” to “th’chaps” (jaw) of MacDonald and opened up his body to release all his guts. As soon as the battle was finished they needed to fight against the Norwegian lord with fresh men and with heavy artillery. Captain says “Yes, as sparrows, eagles, or the hare, the lion”. This metaphor is suggesting that the army led by the captain are “sparrows” as they are weaker than the army led by the Norwegian lord (The Vikings) which are the “eagles” so to speak. Duncan is then confronted by Ross who then says to Duncan that the battle against the Norwegians was won by Macbeth. Once that’s done, the army wasn’t allowed to leave until Duncan is paid a huge amount of money. The Lord isn’t dead. Now that the Thane of Cawdor is dead by betraying Duncan, Duncan will reward Macbeth with the Thane of Cawdor’s land and wealth as well as the name. The witches have said to Macbeth that he is “Thane of Glamis” (which he currently is. The second witch says that Macbeth is also the “Thane of Cawdor” however Macbeth doesn’t know that because he knows the actual “Thane of Cawdor” is alive. Then the final witch says “All hail Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter.” This is a controversial comment because in those times thinking about killing the king could be known as treason and therefore punishable by death. Banquo then says to the witches that he also wants to know what will happen to him in the future. According to the witches, Macbeth will be king but then the witches told Banquo that he’s sons will overthrow Macbeth??? This I believe might because conflict between the 2. Macbeth then asks the witches “How can I be the Thane of Cawdor let alone the King”.

Act 1 Scene 3: The witches have said to Macbeth that he is “Thane of Glamis” (which he currently is. The second witch says that Macbeth is also the “Thane of Cawdor” however Macbeth doesn’t know that because he knows the actual “Thane of Cawdor” is alive. Then the final witch says “All hail Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter.” This is a controversial comment because in those times thinking about killing the king could be known as treason and therefore punishable by death. Banquo then says to the witches that he also wants to know what will happen to him in the future. According to the witches, Macbeth will be king but then the witches told Banquo that he’s sons will overthrow Macbeth??? This I believe might because conflict between the 2. Macbeth then asks the witches “How can I be the Thane of Cawdor let alone the King”. Once the witches vanish, Macbeth and Banquo then recollect and repeat what the witches said to them in total shock. “Your children shall be kings” Macbeth tells Banquo. In response to this, Banquo replies with “You shall be king”. This repetition used by Shakespeare was used for 2 reasons. One reason is because Macbeth and Banquo have just been encountered by the “supernatural” and hearing supposed events in the future from the witches and are bewildered. The other reason is because of his audience. Most likely at this stage, his audience might be starting to lose focus, therefore not fully concentrating on what is happening. The use of repetition is in order to tell the audience what was said in case they didn’t hear it the first time. At this moment, Ross and Angus greet Macbeth to tell him the news that King Duncan has just given him the title “Thane of Cawdor”. With this news now told to Macbeth the original response by Banquo was “What, can the devil speak true?” This response is triggered referring to the fact that the witches just told Macbeth and Banquo that Macbeth will become Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth knowing that the Thane of Cawdor questions why he is given this title with the response coming from Angus saying that the current Thane of Cawdor has pleaded guilty to treason with is punished by death. As Banquo takes Ross and Angus to one side, Macbeth starts talking to himself about what has just happened. Again the use of repetition by Shakespeare this time was used to remind the audience what the witches told Macbeth. Then Macbeth then starts to think about the third statement suggesting he will become king and saying that “If chance will have me king,why, chance may crown me without my stir”. What Macbeth is trying to say is that if fate has already decided he will be King, then why attempt to change fate by doing something unnecessary. To conclude the scene, they all head off for King Duncan’s castle.

Act 1 Scene 4: Macbeth is at the castle and awaiting to be honored by Duncan as Thane of Cawdor. Duncan asks Malcolm (Duncan’s son) if they have beheaded the current Thane of Cawdor. Malcolm’s response is that he didn’t personally see it but has heard he was killed but said that he was sorry. Duncan says that he doesn’t have enough wealth to give Macbeth after what he has done. Duncan then says that “I have begun to plant thee and will labour to make thee full of growing”. Duncan is trying to suggest that no matter what I have, I will watch you prosper.

Macbeth the says aside: “The Prince of Cumberland: that is a step on which I fall down, or else o’erleap, for in my way it lies. 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.”

This paragraph is designed by Shakespeare in order to unravel Macbeth’s plans to the audience in order to pursue the use of dramatic irony. In the first part of the quote, Macbeth says that the Prince of Cumberland is now in his way aside from the King in order for his power-hungry mind to become King. The next part, the metaphor “Stars, hide your fires” is suggesting for God to look away from him referring to the stars, don’t see my deepest and darkest secret of wanting to kill the king. In the final part, he is trying to say that he doesn’t want to do it but will anyway. He is trying to deny himself, and he doesn’t know what he is doing and is acting against his correct reasoning.

Act 1 Scene 5: Lady Macbeth enters the stage and starts reading the letter sent by Macbeth’s messenger. It talks about Macbeth’s encounter with the witches. It further describes how the witches promised Macbeth to become King.  Once the letter has been read, we understand the sort of character that Macbeth is. “What though art promised; yet I do fear thy nature, it is too full o’th’milk of human kindness to catch the nearest way”. She is implying that despite being promised by the witches to be King, she doesn’t believe he has the guts to become King and lacks the killer instinct. “That I may pour my spirits in thine ear” is a metaphor that demonstrates her attempts to poison Macbeth’s mind into killing the king.  She also is suggesting she has the one thing that Macbeth needs and will do so by manipulating his mind.

Later on, Lady Macbeth talks about wanting to kill Duncan herself and she wants to have her entire body full of poison. “Nor heaven peep through the blanket of the dark.” This metaphor is illustrating that what is about to do is unlawful and knows that killing the king is going against the will of God. In the end, she says that she doesn’t trust Macbeth to complete the deed of killing Duncan. Lady Macbeth ends it all by saying once the act is done, don’t act suspicious and let me deal with the rest of the hassle.

Act 1 Scene 6: Duncan enters the castle and suggests what a wonderful. He is innocent not knowing what is in store for him. Banquo is going on about the weather. Duncan then addresses Lady Macbeth about how he is grateful for troubling her. Lady Macbeth responds with a sarcasm that only us the audience understand.

Act 1 Scene 7: Macbeth enters the stage alone and starts to talk about killing the King. He talks about getting the murder over and done with in case he gets caught. Macbeth questions whether what he will do will have any consequences in the long term. Macbeth reinforces the reasons for Duncan to trust him. Macbeth says about how Duncan is a good man and how he has done nothing wrong. Macbeth has no reason to kill Duncan but will do it to fulfill his ambition to be King. To summarise, Macbeth is weighing up the consequences and accepts that he will do it. Lady Macbeth enters, interrupting Macbeth’s desire. Macbeth tells Lady Macbeth he doesn’t want to do it. Lady Macbeth goes ballistic telling Macbeth he is a coward. Macbeth then says to Lady Macbeth that if she was a man, he wouldn’t ask for it to happen. Lady Macbeth talks on about how she would smash a baby’s head in if she promised to do it despite the fact that she might have loved the baby. Macbeth questions what will happen if he fails. Lady Macbeth in response to this says that she will get the guards drunk and thenMacbeth will stab the king.

Macbeth’s internal psychology: 

When he kills MacDonald: Good but kinda weird because he doesn’t want to kill.

When he meets the witches: Who are they and why are they hear to speak to me.

Sends letter to Lady Macbeth: Stressful bexcuse of promises he made that he can’t fulfill.

You’re sitting in the dry cleaners, newspaper in hand, reading the weekly column by the Prime Minister Enver Hoxha with the title “Gati per Luftë”. You’re halfway through the most important message of the piece when you hear the bellowing, ear deafening clatter of the church bell. You drop the newspaper in an instant, despite the ping of the finished wash, and look at the time.

It’s time.

You sprint round the corner and rush inside. It’s time. You head off with your M1919 in your right hand, 15 kilos of food, water and medical aid in the bag on your back and head to the bunker. There’s little time left, hearing the bell again means you’re too late. The adrenaline kicks in as you’re sprinting alongside many other to get ready in time. The smell of fresh tomatoes and pears in the fields takes over your breathing as you reach the bunker.

Inside, the rotten smell of the dense mud makes you sick, but you have no choice. Cleaning the bunker for even the slightest of seconds means you are dead. You drop your bag at your 3 o’clock and place down the gun. Rushing to put your helmet on, you notice that the enemy is within reach. The taste of dust overpowers your other senses, but nothing is going to overpower the focus for the next 30 minutes. You start to ruffle, you hurry through your bag but something doesn’t seem quite right to you. The sinking feeling of your knee in the thick but viscous mud fills you with dissatisfaction as you still struggle to find what your looking for. You take a look outside just in case you might have dropped it. You stop and pause as you look at the wonderful landscape that has engulfed you. Just of in the distance is the tallest point for miles on end. All year round the snow is there and in the sun, it glistens. In the valley, the meadows blossom with an array of different colors blossoming in that moment. You’re in your own paradox, drifting off slightly, back into childhood when something knocks you out of it. The sound of screams surround you and hit you in sequences. The vile, beet red takes over as the sun is no more, darkness arrives and the torrential hail begins to fall as you take cover.

The title of the article: Ready For War.

14th of March, “Diten e Verës”, a bank holiday as such when everyone gets to relax after a couple of weeks of constant work. Not for kids however, they go to where they always love to go. The bunker is the place where all the kids generally tend to go during spare time. When 1 o’clock comes

I woke up to a cool arctic breeze that I was unaccustomed to. It was the middle of summer, and it was supposed to be in excess of 35 degrees celcius today but this chilling breeze was unexpected. The sound of bellowing music echoed my ears. I could barely hear myself think. I looked over my right shoulder to check the wonderfully crafted grandfather clock made of solid oak cut down only recently. As I lay there, staring at nothing, I knew I wouldn’t fall asleep again. I thought of doing something productive, which is why I went into the attic. To my surprise my grandfather was there. I asked him “What are you doing up this early?” He replied with “The same could be said for you”. In acceptance, I shuffled effortlessly in total silence in order to not wake anyone else up. I also had to make sure I didn’t step on the floorboard 3 ahead of me or the one just opposite the bean bag as it would cause a creek that would wake up not just the entire house but the entire neighbourhood.

As I slumped myself into the bean bag, still dazed, I noticed something peculiar. It sensed in a hearbeat that I was taken aback by it and just sat there perched on the tree. Looking at it, it felt as if it was staring deep into my soul. It never fixated on anything else and no matter how many times I looked away, when I turned my head it was still looking dead straight at me.Turning my attention away from it I stared at the inside of my eye lids and fell asleep. Waking up this time wasn’t the problem but in fact it was trying to get up. Since it felt like it would be impossible, I dragged me and the bean bag to the telescope and decised to have a look through it. It was still dark and the beautiful sights of the stars will continue to amaze me every single time I look through that telescope. The moon, complete today, lithe up the sea. It was possible that if you took a picture it was easily possible people would accuse you of having it photo shopped it.

My granddad always enjoyed astronomy. Even though he took a completely different career path, he would enjoy coming up into the attic, taking his mind of everything else that had gone on, and be completely free in his own universe.

Chapter 1: Pip encounters a man at the bottom of the stairs and by the time Pip returns with the watchman he’s gone. Pip calls Magwitch ‘Uncle Provis’ so the servants don’t recognise him and notify the police. Pip then goes to Jaggers to confirm the story that Magwitch told him. Magwitch has also disrespected Pip several times in the house with his lack of table manners.

Chapter 2: 5 days have gone past and Pip has to now tell Herbert who is back from Marseille that Magwitch is the mystery investor. When Magwitch leaves, Pip and Herbert conclude that Pip should no longer take Magwitch’s money. They also have a plan to get Magwitch back to Australia in order to be free from the police.

Chapter 3: Pip becomes ashamed by the fact that he has become rich through Magwitch and feels as though he needs to detach himself from Estella. He has an unpleasant conversation with Bentley Drummle and goes to Satis house to see Estella and Miss Havisham one more time.

Chapter 4: 

Volume 2 Chapter XIX Page 277

Miss Havisham and Estella are intriguing, confusing and tricky characters. They are characters which are constantly talking ironically and the one time that they talk directly (the denotation is the true meaning) makes it even more ironic. In this section, Estella and Miss Havisham are arguing about what Estella has become and how she has come to this. When Miss Havisham says that Estella has a “cold, cold heart!” Miss Havisham is being ironic because she has created Estella’s cold heart and the denotation is that Estella’s heart is cruel and cold but the connotation could be that is that she is constantly ironic.