Post-Macbeth

BLOG QUESTION:

Ponder the questions below and choose one for your initial response (remember to identify which one you are responding to at the beginning of your post):

1.     Fate vs. Free Will:

            The weird sisters make many prophecies regarding Macbeth and his actions throughout the course of the play.  Are the choices and events predicted by the witches predestined by fate, or are they a result of Macbeth’s own free will? Discuss the role of fate, free will, and prophecy in the decisions made by Macbeth.  Support your answer using supporting evidence from the text.

2.     Who is to blame? Macbeth or Lady Macbeth?

            At the start of the play, Macbeth, a good and noble Thane, sought only to serve the King.  By the end, he has become an arrogant, paranoid murderer.  In your opinion, who is more responsible for this transformation, Macbeth himself or Lady Macbeth?  Use supporting evidence from the text.

3.     Good vs. Evil?

            Some have portrayed the play Macbeth as a classic story of good and evil, with the witches and Lady Macbeth on one side, Banquo, Malcom and Macduff on the other, and Macbeth somewhere in between. Others feel that it is more complex, that there are deeper psychological themes involved beneath the initial layer of good vs. evil.  Is Macbeth a story of good vs. evil, or of complex psychological issues?  Support your response with evidence from the text.

Directions: You will be writing an initial response and 2 comments responding to your peers' responses. Your initial response must be 8-10 sentences in length and thoughtful. There are 65 students (both periods combined)  so there will be 65 initial posts. Of these 65, you must respond to or comment on a minimum of 2 of them. These must be thoughtful responses and/or comments, at least 2-3 sentences in length. Please identify the person you are responding to in your comment so that it becomes more of a connected conversation; for example, "I hadn't thought of the point Hermione Granger raised about the blah, blah, blah, etc. Initial response is due by Tuesday night, December 15th by 11.59 p.m.  Your responses will be due by Thursday night, December 17th by 11:59 p.m.

Remember to be good citizens here -- no hurtful comments. Remember you can respectfully disagree with others. Show some thought here! I look forward to reading another great conversation!

Mrs. L

Pre-Macbeth Question

Macbeth

William Shakespeare

Sometimes students ask why we read literary pieces that are sooooo OLD. You may not love Shakespeare…yet. BUT literature (the good stuff, sorry Nicholas Sparks) stands the test of time. While the setting may change (and the fashion!), people are people, with their triumphs as well as their moral failings no matter their century.

BLOG QUESTION:

While Shakespeare’s play Macbeth is centuries old, the ideas of the play are still very relevant to you in 2015. Look thoughtfully at the questions below and choose one for your initial response:

1.  How do you decide what is good and what is evil?
2.  Do you believe everyone is in a personal battle of good vs. evil?
3.   What is the difference between greed and ambition?
4.  Do you believe that fate directs our lives or our actions?

5.   Have you ever given in to temptation?  Why?

6.   You probably would not break your moral code for a stranger, but what about                 for a loved one?
7.   When wouldn't you listen to your conscience?
8.   Have you ever experienced the feeling of guilt?  How did it make you feel?

9.   Do you believe the adage, “You reap what you sow?”

You will be writing an initial response and 2 comments responding to your peers' responses. Your initial response must be 8-10 sentences in length and thoughtful. Really explore the ideas here. Please copy the question before your response to make it easier for your audience. I have two classes combined so there will be 63 initial posts. Of these 63 , you must respond to or comment on a minimum of 2 of them. These must be thoughtful responses and/or comments, at least 2-3 sentences in length. Please identify the person you are responding to in your comment so that it becomes more of a connected conversation; for example, "I hadn't thought of the point Hermione Granger raised about the blah, blah, blah, etc."   Your initial response is due by Friday night, November 13th by 11.59 p.m.  Your responses will be due by Tuesday night, November 17th by 11:59 p.m.

Have fun with this. Be good citizens here -- no hurtful comments. Remember you can respectfully disagree with others. And be good thinkers. I look forward to reading the conversation!