MEET MACBETH

Macbeth is indirectly/directly introduced through two men talking about his actions during a battle. They talk about his violent actions and the brutal way he finished off his enemies, but use a positive word, "brave," to describe him. Later when Macbeth and Banquo are greeted by the three wishes is Macbeth more indirectly characterized as hesitant and unwilling when greeted with his new future as a king. Shakespeare's characterization of Macbeth sets an untrusting and dark tone to the play, along with the witches hint that "Fair is foul and foul is fair." From Macbeth'd conduct you get the idea that he may he unwilling to carry out his fate and more soft-hearted and repenting than his character is initially introduced to be.

SEEKING MENTOR

I think it would be most beneficial to my Masterpiece and myself to ask my mentors more questions about what exactly it is they specialize in. All of my possible mentors have field that they excel in, like knowledge about hiking or putting events together, and hopefully they will pass on their knowledge to myself and my other group members so that we can put our Masterpiece project into full swing.

MY MACBETH RESOURCES

1) Sparknotes as an easy outline to follow
 http://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/macbeth/

2) Shakespeare online with helpful analysis
http://www.shakespeare-online.com/plays/macbethscenes.html

3) Shmoop with a modern-day approach to the information
http://www.shmoop.com/macbeth/

4) Macbeth Unplugged with a very in depth look at the play
http://library.thinkquest.org/2888/

5) Shakespeare on About.com with what people usually come away with when looking at the play
http://shakespeare.about.com/od/macbeth/a/Macbeth_Character_Analysis.htm

Essay Brainstorming

PROMPT
1979 Choose a complex and important character in a novel or a play of
recognized literary merit who might, on the basis of the character’s actions alone,
be considered evil or immoral. In a well-organized essay, explain both how and
why the full presentation of the character in the work makes us react moresympathetically than we otherwise might. Avoid plot summary.

The # 1 step for developing a good essay is to look at the main ideas/words of the prompt, which I highlighted. I decided that the character John Savage from Brave New World would best fit this prompt. 

ACTIONS ALONE:
- He whips/ punishes himself
- He doesn't believe in premarital sex or the in-taking of soma
- He is isolated
- He reads

IMMORAL:
- You get this from the other character's responses to him
- Even called 'the savage'
- Starts a free soma riot
- Hangs himself

SYMPATHETIC:
- Readers own personal morality aligns more with John then the  rest of the society
- John is persecuted/ made to feel bad, sets in instinct to root for the underdog
- Transparent thinking
- He reads what we read (Shakespeare)

Some literary techniques I could apply to these three basic categories would be:
1 - Indirect characterization, point of view, tone, figurative language
2 - Indirect characterization, doubleness of character, chiasmus, juxtaposition, cognitive characters, dissonance, conflict
3 - Connotation, allusion, foil, wo/man vs. society, mood

10 QUESTIONS

1) How did you begin to gain expertise in this field?

2) What do you recommend to those wanting to pursue a project in _______?

3) What are problems you encounter?

4) Is it passion or a desire to succeed that drives you in this field? (Or both.)

5) Do you feel that what you know in this field is applicable to what you envision yourself doing as a career?

6) Do you find it rewarding to work in this field?

7) What advice could you give me for pursuing a project in your field?

8) What is it that you wish you could do more of in this field?

9) What kinds of project do you feel could make the most impact?

10) What types of things can you think of that could make changes to everyday life in this field?