Bildungsroman

Jorgensen 1

Miles Jorgensen

Dr. Preston

AP English & Literature

8 June 2015

Bildungsroman

As I entered my final year of high school I was kind of preparing myself to be lazy and passive. The whole senioritis thing was settling in and I was happy to only have four classes. That all changed quickly when I was introduced to open source learning and how the curriculum could be based around your personal interests. It got me excited to craft my own type of rules and guidelines to a class and make it my own. Having a blog was a pretty cool thing for me to design myself and make unique.

            Outside of the school aspect, senior year was exciting for many other reasons, mostly for sports. Along with the rest of my teammates, we were determined to win CIF for water polo. We practiced hard every day for hours on end all to achieve the greatest title we could imagine. I remember how I felt as the season was going on. I would have dreams about playing in CIF and I would get so nervous that I would wake up and would be unable to fall back asleep again. Water polo was pretty much the ultimate passion I had at the beginning of the year. I knew in the back of my head that it would all be over in a matter of months, but the grind and rigorous work load kept me distracted. I remember giving announcements in Mr. Nesper’s class about the games we were going to have for league so people could see how good of a team we were and how much work we put into the program. The sad thing was that not a whole lot of people would go to the games. It was mainly parents and friends or former players from the

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program. I think what made water polo such a cool sport to be a part of was the fact that it was so exclusive and different. Not a lot of people know how to play water polo or even what the sport is, and it felt like I was part of some exclusive club.

When league was over for water polo, our coaches started preparing us for the playoffs and tried to keep us calm and focused. We had just won the league title and went undefeated throughout all of league so we were feeling pretty confident and maybe even a little arrogant. Personally, I was nervous about how delicate the situation of CIF was. In my head I was thinking ‘If we lose just one game, we’re done. Like, done.’ But many of my teammates just thought, ‘Four more games until we’re CIF champs.’ I had to contain my fear and pessimism so I wouldn’t infect anyone else. As the CIF rounds went by, however, the team was doing fantastically. Our closest game was by a matter of about ten points, which is a lot for a water polo game. Finally, we made it to the championships and we we’re all healthy, focused, and ready. Just thinking about that game makes my heart race. My coach told me that I was going to get some important play time and that I had to be ready to go. I wasn’t a starter, but my coach relied heavily upon me and the rest of the nonstarters to bring high energy and strong defensive play when we got in to give the starters a break. I remember playing a good amount that game and even making some good defensive and offensive plays. The game ended in overtime and we were victorious. Everyone leaped into the pool, pushing the coaches in as well. It was one of the happiest moments in my life. Hugging all my brothers in the water, cheering and crying in joy. And to do it all in front of friends and family in the stands to have them enjoy the moment with us felt absolutely incredible. To accomplish something that great that you dedicated four years of

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your life into was too awesome for words. It was perhaps the happiest day of my life. Water polo taught me that if you put in the effort, time, work, heart, and passion, nothing can stop you. Our program was strong because we had players that were passionate about the sport and they ALL gave the effort the coaches demanded. I learned that you need to always respect your opponent and make personal sacrifices to provide for something greater.  I learned that you have to be on time, prepared, and focused if you want to be productive and make progress. Water polo taught me a lot about self-discipline and honesty as well. Throughout this year, I think that water polo has probably been the biggest thing that changed me.

            When water polo ended, I no longer had this driving passion pushing me to make personal sacrifices to give to a greater good. Then we had to film a short scene for our English class. We wanted to make it funny and creative, so we ended up spending way more time making it than was necessary, but we had a lot of fun doing it. In the midst of all the filming and editing, we some of us discovered that since we had such a passion about making this short little film, we could do more things like this for our masterpiece. So that’s what we did. Filming and acting for the videos we made was really, fun, but also time consuming. I also realized how difficult it could be to come up with some interesting or funny story line and make it all make sense in the mind of the audience. In the end, when I finished the videos with my friends, I was elated to show them to the rest of the class. I thought that if I had spent so much time and had so much fun making these videos, it would show by the content and people would enjoy it. When I presented our videos, hearing the laughs and chuckles from the class made me incredibly happy. I wasn’t entirely happy because I got to show off what I did, I was happy that people got joy from the content I provided. To know that I was the one who provided someone with the pleasurable

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feeling of laughter or happiness was a feeling I never quite felt with such intensity. It really made me realize how much of a passion I have for the things I do to make people happy. Whether it be a funny video or a funny story, I was happy to have found one of my passions through school of all things. Open source learning gave me the opportunity and encouragement to pursue and discover my passions.

            Overall I think I’ve changed the most over this year in the way that I judge other people and behave around other people. I’ve always been very congenial and confident when I talk to other people, but before this year I wasn’t really close with them. I was mostly superficial whenever I talked to some people and I didn’t see the importance of really getting to know someone that at first glance you might not have really cared for. Especially recently, Ive gotten to know so many more of my peers on a much more personal level and it feels good to know that I’ve changed into a deeper, more dimensional figure to my friends. I’m probably still shaping the person I am, but I’m happy with the path I’m taking currently. As I change, I think my deeper passions will stay with me, but perhaps the less important interests and behaviors will be altered. I’m looking forward to becoming what I will be.

Sonnet Analysis

My mistress' eyes are nothing like the sun;
Coral is far more red than her lips' red;
If snow be white, why then her breasts are dun;
If hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head.
I have seen roses damask'd, red and white,
But no such roses see I in her cheeks;
And in some perfumes is there more delight
Than in the breath that from my mistress reeks.
I love to hear her speak, yet well I know
That music hath a far more pleasing sound;
I grant I never saw a goddess go;
My mistress, when she walks, treads on the ground:
And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare
As any she belied with false compare.

This is a Shakespearian sonnet because of its satirical styling and structure. Shakespeare pokes fun at typical love poems by writing one that actually points out the flaws and negative qualities of the one he loves. The shift occurs at the end where after he just insults this girl for the whole poem he turns it around and says that he still loves her despite all her flaws. 

Act II Questions

2.1

1.The opening gives a sense of forboding, things are not as they should be. The discussion serves to have Banquo acknowledge the weird sisters rather than claim they are a hallucination.
2. Macbeth is extremely stressed about having to Duncan and he is attempting to talk himself into committing the deed. He talks about it as if he is in a haze, a dream and he continues by making it a reality and committing the deed.

2.2

1. Lady Mac's state of mind is kind of heartless because of the focus she is putting into the task at hand. She has drugged the guards that stand at Duncan's chambers and put daggers in their hands to frame them as the murderers of Duncan. Lady Mac is assuming that Macbeth is in the act of killing Duncan and she didn't do it herself because she didn't want the guards to wake up and see her. 
2. Macbeth has done the dirty deed of killing Duncan. Macbeth has a moment of self reflection as he looks at his bloodstained hands holding the dagger. He guiltily comments about his actions and worries that Donalbain heard the ruckus. Lady Mac replies by saying Macbeth shouldn't be so childish and scared. The problem that arises is that Macbeth thinks he heard a voice say that he would be killed for what he did. Lady Mac tries to calm him down and rationalize the situation. 

2.3

2.3 1) The porter, in the third scene of act ii, is drunk and is pretending to be the Porter of the gate to hell. In the play, Macbeth has the trait of equivocation, where he manipulates his listener by circumlocution and the expectations of the other person without actually committing. For example, he does this when Lady Macbeth asks him to kill King Duncan.
2) The thematic function of Lennox describing the night as unruly was because that night was when King Duncan was killed by Macbeth. It was "unruly" not only for King Duncan but also for Macbeth because the guilt and fear of getting caught will always make him say and do things that might be suspicious, dark, and unruly. The scene is necessary to show Macbeth's transformation from the character before the murder vs. the character after the murder. This also connects back to what the witches had said earlier in the play: Fair is foul and foul is fair.
3) Macduff reports that the king has been murdered. Lady Macbeth appears to be horrified that this act could take place on his household. Macbeth is in encaged and kills the chamberlains. Malcolm and Donalbain decide to flee Malcolm and will go to England and Donalbain will go to Ireland. They're fleeing because they fear they will be murdered.

2.4

1. The function of the dialogue between Old Man and Ross is to discuss the strange happenings that have been occurring such as how an owl killed a falcon, the horses went wild and are one another, and several other things.  This wicked behavior symbolizes and foreshadows the promotion of Macbeth to the thrown. 

2. Macduff tells us from the castle that Macbeth has been made king by his fellow lords and that he will travel to Scone to receive the promotion and get crowned. He tells us that Malcolm and Donalbain are suspected of the murder of Duncan. They are suspected because they fled the scene. 

Act I Questions

I-1

1) Beginning the play with a dialogue between the witches sets the mood to be dark, evil, and mysterious. This foreshadows the plot, theme, and mood for the future of the story in the same manner. In comparison of Shakespeare's other plays, Macbeth requires more ambiguity and the syntax and diction used needs to be more bleak. For example, Hamlet highlighted the themes of betrayal and complexity of relationships and power. Even though, the theme falls in the same ballpark with Macbeth, the gloominess of the plot of Macbeth overpowers that of Hamlet. In the beginning of the play, the witches were going to meet Macbeth at the "ere of sunset." Line 10 was "Paddock calls" and line 11 was "Anon." The phrase paddock class means a toad, which symbolizes transformation. The word anon means soon or shortly. The "toad" and it's transformation could metaphorically be compared to Macbeth and his evolving and transforming to be a completely different person or even having a transformation in his status and power. The witch's response as anon signifies how Macbeth will shortly have a transformation - to be declared a thane. 

I-2

1. The bloody seargent indirectly characterizes Macbeth by glorifying his actions towards Macdonwald. Macdonwald is a rebel who was executed. He tried to attack them. Macbeth executed macdonwald with his sword. This did not end the fight with the rebels, the Norwegians are still attacking.
2. The traitor was the Thane of Cawdor, as we learn from Ross. Duncan says that its a relief the thane of cawdor was executed and that Macbeth now owns his previous title.

I-3

1. The witches speech gives a first look at Macbeth and his wife without saying who they are. Indirect characterization of the two. Similar to Hamlet where he gives a mini synopsis early in the story. "Weird" in Shakespeare's day meant future seers not weird as we know it, prophecy and destiny. Shakespeare means that Macbeth's wife has him by the balls. They  cast a spell to control his destiny.
2. Macbeth says something very similar to what the witches said at the beginning of the play. This could be him falling into the destiny the witches set up. Dried, chapped fingers, gender ambiguity, hairy, old, they have literal beards. The witches tell Macbeth that he will thane of Candor and eventually King, right then he finds out he is thane of Cawdor. Banquo asked the witch why they had nothing for him, they told him he is lesser but greater than Macbeth. We knew he was thane before he was thane.
3. Banquo says the witches were a figment of their imagination that they lie or that they are hallucinating. Macbeth learns that he is thane of Cawdor from Ross and Angus. During lines 114-156 he was going over his plan in his head and how everything had just happened to him. He acts very happy and shows no incredulity at being thane. Macbeth's aside shows him rationalizing what happened to him and he begins to think that he is going to be King soon. Macbeth tells Banquo that he is happy and excited and nothing more he explains his behavior by saying he is confused.

I-4

1.Cawdor was executed after openly confessing his treason and pleading for mercy. Malcolm tried to stick up for the thane, but the king responds by basically saying that you can't trust a man according to his face. He doesn't believe the thane was truly repentant.

2.The king greets them by saying that he can never repay them enough for their good deeds, but announces he will leave all his estate and names his son, Malcolm, prince of Cumberland. He then proposes that they go to Macbeth's castle at Inverness. Macbeth tells himself that the only way to be king is to get rid of Malcolm, and even though he'll be appalled at his action, he must do it.

I-5

1. Macbeth was honest with his wife when he informs her of his new title as "Thane of Cawdor." He refers to the witches as "weird sisters" probably because he doesn't want her know that he is associated with the "evil servants."

Lady Macbeth responds by saying that she thinks Macbeth is playng things off as if everything is fine. By saying "but be the serpent under't", she describes him as someone that lies to make everything appear under control. This doesn't really match the characterization of Macbeth so far in the story which implies that there is something the audience doesn't know about him. 

2. The wife was confident about the guests visit. She also seemed prepared and a little cocky about the way her and her husband would handle it.

3. Lady Macbeth. Yes she wants to kill Duncan. No, he isn't sure whether he wants to follow through with Lady Macbeths orders or not. She tells him not to let Duncan see tomorrow. 

4. The question appears to answer itself. 

I-6

1. The opening speeches (1.6.1-10) describe how the surroundings of the castle are "pleasant" and the air is sweet-maybe even too sweet. From the outside, the castle appears to be paradise.
Lady Macbeth's welcome is formal. Her language is totally different from her language in the previous scene which shows how fake and dishonest her welcome was.

I-7

1. "If it were done when 'tis done then 'twere well." If it were done when it was done it was done well. (Meaning if he completed the death quickly and efficiently and with no complications then he did the job well.) Macbeth is determined to kill the king and be done with him but in lines 1-12 he is fearful of how the "inventor" will judge his actions. He's violating the hospitality of his kinship and responsibilities as a host towards his guest by trying to kill his guest instead of protecting them. The motivation that Macbeth attributes to himself in lines 25-28 is the attribute of an Arabic heaven-like God. He will be seen as a "God" and that is his source of motivation to get the job done. 

2. In lines 28-30 she is complaining about him leaving the chamber because it was  almost time for dinner. Macbeth responds to her complaining by saying did he ask for me? And lady Macbeth says don't you know he did? The positions are lady Macbeth is ready for the King to be killed while Macbeth is still hesitant and on the fence about it. Macbeth convinced Lady Macbeth by explaining that he is an respected person and doesn't want to lose his honor while Lady Macbeth convinces Macbeth by convincing him to gain the power and kill the king. The stronger person in the scene is Lady Macbeth because  she's more verbally confident in her argument while convincing Macbeth to kill the King. 
(In collaboration with period 4)

Macbeth Character Map

work cited: Macbeth: Character Map | CliffsNotes
I know it's cliffsnotes, but hey its something, right? Right? Guys..?

YOU'RE ALWAYS A WOMAN TO ME

When Macbeth speaks to Lady Mac, you can tell in his tone and choice of words that he is talking to an authoritative figure. In the letter he writes, he leaves out certain information and highlights other things as to only mention everything that is going well for him. Later on in Act I, Macbeth turns into Lady's little servant. From the audience's point of view, Lady Macbeth is a cruel, power starved maniac trying to manipulate her husband into killing the king. That's another thing worth mentioning-that these two are married. Its is really easy to forget that as you read the dialogue between these two. You can't help but feel sorry for Macbeth for being forced into doing something he obviously  doesn't want as much as the person nudging him to do it. I think Macbeth will eventually grow a backbone and somehow fight back against his maniacal wife.

Act I Notes

Questions 1.5

1. Macbeth was honest with his wife when he informs her of his new title as "Thane of Cawdor." He refers to the witches as "weird sisters" probably because he doesn't want her know that he is associated with the "evil servants."

Lady Macbeth responds by saying that she thinks Macbeth is playng things off as if everything is fine. By saying "but be the serpent under't", she describes him as someone that lies to make everything appear under control. This doesn't really match the characterization of Macbeth so far in the story which implies that there is something the audience doesn't know about him. 

2. The wife was confident about the guests visit. She also seemed prepared and a little cocky about the way her and her husband would handle it.

3. Lady Macbeth. Yes she wants to kill Duncan. No, he isn't sure whether he wants to follow through with Lady Macbeths orders or not. She tells him not to let Duncan see tomorrow. 

4. The question appears to answer itself.