Macbeth Summary

William Shakespeare’s Macbeth takes place in Scotland in the 11th century AD, and it tells the story of Macbeth, thane of Glamis, and of his ambition to become king. This Shakespearian tragedy is loosely based on historical sources, namely Holinshed’s Chronicles, and there is historical documentation on several characters, including Macbeth, Duncan, and Malcolm. It’s unclear whether the character of Banquo really existed. While the Chronicles depict him as an accomplice to Macbeth’s murderous actions, Shakespeare portrays him as an innocent character. Overall, Macbeth is not known for its historical accuracy, but for the portrayal of the effects of blind ambition in people. Act I Scottish generals Macbeth and Banquo have just defeated the allied forces of Norway and Ireland, which were led by the traitorous Macdonwald. As Macbeth and Banquo wander onto a heath, they are greeted by the Three Witches, who offer them prophecies. Banquo challenges them first, so they address Macbeth: they hail him as Thane of Glamis,† his current title and then Thane of Cawdor, adding that he will also be king. Banquo then asks of his own fortunes, the witches respond enigmatically, saying that he will be less than Macbeth, yet happier, less successful, yet more. Most importantly, they tell him that he will father a line of kings, though he himself will not be one. The witches vanish soon after, and the two men wonder at these pronouncements. Then, however, another thane, Ross, arrives and informs Macbeth that he has been bestowed the title of Thane of Cawdor.  This means that the first prophecy is fulfilled, and Macbeth’s initial skepticism turns into ambition. King Duncan welcomes and praises Macbeth and Banquo, and declares that he will spend the night at Macbeths castle at  Inverness; he also names his son Malcolm as his heir. Macbeth sends a message ahead to his wife, Lady Macbeth, telling her about the witches prophecies. Lady Macbeth unwaveringly wishes for her husband to murder the king so he can usurp the throne, to the point that she answers his objections by casting doubts on his manhood. Eventually, she manages to convince him to kill the king that same night. The two get Duncans two chamberlains drunk so that the next morning they can easily blame the chamberlains for the murder.  Ã‚     Act II   Still plagued by doubts and by hallucinations, including a bloody dagger, Macbeth stabs King Duncan in his sleep. He is so upset that Lady Macbeth has to take charge, and frames Duncans sleeping servants for the murder by placing bloody daggers on them. The following morning, Lennox, a Scottish nobleman, and Macduff, the loyal Thane of Fife, arrive at Inverness, and Macduff is the one who discovers Duncans body. Macbeth murders the guards so they cannot profess their innocence, but claims he did so in a fit of anger over their misdeeds. Duncans sons Malcolm and Donalbain flee to England and Ireland, respectively, fearing they might be targets too, but their flight frames them as suspects. As a consequence, Macbeth assumes the throne as the new King of Scotland as a kinsman of the dead king. On this occasion, Banquo recalls the witches prophecy about how his own descendants would inherit the throne. This makes him suspicious of Macbeth.   Act III Meanwhile Macbeth, who remembers the prophecy concerning Banquo, remains uneasy, so he invites him to a royal banquet, where he discovers that Banquo and his young son, Fleance, will be riding out that night. Suspecting Banquo of being suspicious of him, Macbeth arranges to have him and Fleance murdered by hiring assassins, who succeed in killing Banquo, but not Fleance. This enrages Macbeth, as he fears that his power won’t be safe as long as a heir of Banquo lives.  At a banquet, Macbeth is visited by Banquos ghost who sits in Macbeths place. Macbeth’s reaction startles the guests, as the ghost is only visible to him: they see their king panicking at an empty chair. Lady Macbeth has to tell them that her husband is merely afflicted with a familiar and harmless malady. The ghost departs and returns once more, causing the same riotous anger and fear in Macbeth. This time, Lady Macbeth tells the lords to leave, and they do so.   Act IV   Macbeth pays visits to the witches again in order to learn the truth of their prophecies to him. In response to that, they conjure horrible apparitions: an armored head, which tells him to beware of Macduff;  a bloody child telling him that no one born of a woman will be able to harm him; next, a crowned child holding a tree stating that Macbeth will be safe until Great Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane Hill. Since all men are born from women and forests cannot move, Macbeth is initially relieved. Macbeth also asks whether Banquos sons will ever reign in Scotland. The witches conjure a procession of eight crowned kings, all similar in appearance to Banquo, the last one carrying a mirror reflecting even more kings: they are all Banquos descendants having acquired kingship in numerous countries. After the witches leave, Macbeth learns that Macduff has fled to England, and so Macbeth orders Macduffs castle be seized, and also sends murderers to slaughter Macduff and his family. Although Macduff is no longer there, Lady Macduff and his family are murdered  Ã‚   Act V   Lady Macbeth becomes overcome with guilt for the crimes she and her husband committed. She has taken to sleepwalking, and after entering the stage holding a candle, she laments the murders of Duncan, Banquo, and Lady Macduff, while also trying to wash off imaginary bloodstains from her hands. In England, Macduff learns of the slaughtering of his own family, and, stricken with grief, vows revenge. Together with Prince Malcolm, Duncans son, who raised an army in England, he rides to Scotland to challenge Macbeths forces against Dunsinane Castle. While encamped in Birnam Wood, the soldiers are ordered to cut down and carry tree limbs to camouflage their numbers. Part of the witches’ prophecy comes true.  Before Macbeths opponents arrive, he learns that Lady Macbeth has killed herself, causing him to sink into despair. He eventually faces Macduff, initially without fear, since he cannot be killed by any man born of woman. Macduff declares that he was from his mothers womb / Untimely rippd (V 8.15–16). The second prophecy is thus fulfilled, and Macbeth is eventually killed and beheaded by Macduff. The order is restored and Malcolm is crowned King of Scotland. As for the Witches’ prophecy concerning Banquo’s descendants, it is true in that James I of England, previously James VI of Scotland, descended from Banquo.

Crime and Youth Care Facility - 1116 Words

AMENDMENTS IN THE JUVENILE JUSTICE amp; WELFARE ACT OF 2006 (AFFIRMATIVE SIDE/ PRO – FOR DEBATE) Few days ago, the Senate approved on final reading a bill amending Republic Act No. 9344, otherwise known as the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006, in order to improve its implementation. I AM IN FAVOR OF THIS GREAT ACT BY OUR LAWMAKERS. We all know that Republic Act No. 9344 has been intended to protect the welfare of children in conflict with the law, majority of who are guilty of petty crimes such as petty theft, vagrancy and sniffing glue. Prior to the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006, children in conflict with the law were thrown into the same prison cells as hardened criminals. Studies show that most of them were†¦show more content†¦The bill aims to amend Republic Act 9344, the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act, passed six years ago. I AM NOT IN FAVOR OF SUCH MOVE BY OUR LAWMAKERS. My stand is not to amend the Juvenile Justice Law but call for its effective implementation instead. Lowering the age of criminal responsibility constitutes a grave breach on the convention on the rights of the child to which the Philippines has ratified and acceded. Our country must always be guided by the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Administration of Juvenile Justice, more commonly known as the Beijing Rules, which is a framework to consider in determining the age of criminal responsibility. The Beijing Rules recommends that the minimum age of criminal responsibility shall not be fixed at too low an age level, bearing in mind the facts of emotional, mental and intellectual maturity. Our opponents contend that the increasing number of children involved in heinous crimes as the primary reason for amending the law. But the results of an online poll on the House of Representatives website show that public opinion is on civil society s side, with the majority not in favor of the amendment. Online House poll shows majority disagree with lowering the age of criminal liability. Asked if lowering the age of criminal responsibility is a justifiable policy, 75 percentShow MoreRelatedThe Death Of South Korea1667 Words   |  7 Pagesto record, Kim was born the fifth of seven children in 1967 at poor shantytown. When he was 7th grade, he left school and home, went up to capital city, and earned a living by as a food delivery guy. An investigator said, â€Å"He did not commit serious crimes at first. He was a petty misdemeanor to support himself, however, he turned out to be a chronic offender as he got older.† This tragic case basically shows how misdemeanor become a chronic offender. 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Porter Generic Stratey free essay sample

The key drivers of competitive advantage are cost leadership and differentiation product †¢COMPETITIVE STRATEGY- the means by which an organisation seeks to achieve and sustain a competitive advantage†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Porter suggests that competitive strategy means taking an offensive or defensive action to create a defendable position to cope with the competitive forces- this would lead to greater returns †¢Porter suggests that a firm’s strengths fall into two headngs; cost advantage and differentiation. By applying these strengths in a broad or narrow focus, three generic strategies result: COST LEADERSHIP, DIFFERENTIATION AND FOCUS†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦they are generic because they are not specific to a firm or industry. †¢4 strategies to gain a competitive advantage: COST LEADERSHIP-(superior profits through lower costs), DIFFERENTIATION-(higher profits by adding value the products areas that are of real significance for customers who are willing to pay a premium price), FOCUS STRATEGY-(concentrate on a specific area on the market) †¢COST LEADERSHIP- concentrates on becoming the lowest cost producer through economies of scale. We will write a custom essay sample on Porter Generic Stratey or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page With this, the organisation can compete on price with the potential to earn higher unit profits. Cost reduction provides the focus for the orgaisations strategy. Competitive advantage is achieved by driving costs down. There is room for only one cost leader †¢Firms that succeed in cost leadership have the following strengths: access to capital to make big investment, design skills, high level of expertise in manufacturing process, efficient distribution channels †¦. EXAMPLES- RYANAIR, TOYOTA, TESCO, AND WALMART †¢Cost leadership is often seen as a strategy that aims to attract customers with low prices made by low costs†¦.. ut this doesn’t necessarily mean the lowest selling price, but due to low costs, the profit margins are higher †¢DIFFERENTIATION- this strategy calls for a development of a product or service that offers unique and valued attribute by customers. The customers believe that the product is different than rivals. the uniqueness gives a product added value which enables companies to charge a higher price premium. Successful differentiation- differentiating products from competitiors, charging a higher price†¦. an base differentiation on omage, durability, after-sales customer service/ needs strong RD †¢HOWEVER, adding value increases a firms cost base for a product which reduces the unit profit margin- these costs can only be recouped if the consumer is willing to pay the premium price. Also, customers must recognise these differences†¦. EXAMPLES: BMW, MIELE (HIGHER QUALITY DOMESTIC APPLIANCES), BANG AND OLUFSEN, MERC, ETC †¢Benefit a chance of charging a premium price, demand for differentiated less elastic, above average profits, additional barriers to entry? Risks difficult to sustain, higher costs, risk of creating differences, comsumers may become too price sensitive, compititors who attain a focus strategy may achieve greater differentiation. †¢FOCUS STRATEGY- Like differentiation, but organisation concentrates on one or more segments of the market, this may offer the firm more security for achieving its competitive advantage†¦. However there are specific requirements for the focus strategy†¦. Firms benefit form specialisation, differentiation on a lower scale, so the costs are lower than full scale differentiation

Langston Hughes-the Voice of African Americans Essay Example

Langston Hughes-the Voice of African Americans Essay Langston Hughes- The Voice of African Americans â€Å"The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain†, â€Å"The Negro Speaks of Rivers†, â€Å"Danse Africaine† , and â€Å"I, Too† by Langston Hughes are representative of Hughes ability to capture the vast experience of being black in America. Hughes’ ability to define African American heritage and the daily experience of being black in America through poetry and essays helped move the Harlem Renaissance into the forefront of American Literature. For Hughes, being African American meant many different things. As an African American each day was different and through the years Hughes’ experiences continued to allow him to relate what it meant to be black in America. Whether it was pride in one’s heritage or anger about racism; Hughes’s poetry was able to capture the feelings of the many blacks who were dealing with the issue of being black, but wanted to fit into â€Å"white Americaâ€Å". In Huges essay the negro artist, he captured the essence of blacks looking at themselves through the eyes of white America â€Å"But this is the mountain standing in the way of any true Negro art in America—this urge within the race toward whiteness, the desire to pour racial individuality into the mold of American standardization, and to be as little Negro and as much American as possible. . Hughes felt the need to address the racism and prejudice that existed in America. Though Hughes was very optimistic about America and its ability to improve racial tensions the reality of racism was hard to ignore. We will write a custom essay sample on Langston Hughes-the Voice of African Americans specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Langston Hughes-the Voice of African Americans specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Langston Hughes-the Voice of African Americans specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer In I, Too Hughes used a black male servant as a metaphor for African Americans. The servant who is sent away to the kitchen whenever company comes allows the reader to understand Hughes’ view of America and its attitude toward African Americans. Hughes examines the segregation of America and the idea that change is possible. The actions of the servant reveal the struggle of African Americans as a people who want to be equal to other Americans. The title of I, Too itself suggests that the speaker of the poem believes that he is also an America. The speaker includes himself as one of the many who â€Å"sings America† (line 1). The idea that one â€Å"sings America† reveals a pride in being a citizen of the United States of America. The speaker aware of his â€Å"two-ness,† his two identities of being black and American, expresses the anger of knowing that many people do not acknowledge him as an American. For this reason Hughes allows the speaker a response to those who do not believe blacks to be Americans worthy of equal opportunities and rights. The speaker identifies himself also as the darker brother (line 2) revealing that he is black (dark skinned) while connecting himself to white Americans who are lighter in complexion. The use of the word ‘brother† helps the speaker to assert that he believes that he is an American symbolizing the common bond he shares with whites. The speaker goes on to say that he is sent away to the kitchen by his employers when company arrives. He implies that he is sent away because â€Å"they† (his white employers) believe his not worthy of being at the table when others are dinning. The inferiority that the speaker feels suggests the feelings of many African Americans who experience racism and prejudice. The speaker then addresses the unfair treatment by his employers in his response in lines 5-7 â€Å"But I laugh, And eat well, And grow strong. † The speaker laughs at the ridiculousness of his employer’s actions. The speaker seems amused that his employers believe that by keeping him in the kitchen they can forget his presence. This line allows Hughes’ message to be heard. Hughes sends a message to America that the â€Å"darker brother† or African Americans will continue to fight racism and prejudice. The speaker who symbolizes all African Americans would not be content with inequality and injustice. Hughes not only provides readers with the problem in America but also what he believes is the appropriate response to the unfair treatment of African Americans. Hughes provides an optimistic view of the future of the African American race by giving the speaker hope for better treatment from his employers. â€Å"Tomorrow, I’ll be at the table When company comes† allowing the speaker to envision a day when America would be a place of equality and fair treatment of all people. Hughes word choice lends itself to the frustration that many African Americans felt in terms of racism. The word â€Å"dare† in line 11 suggests that one day the act of ordering the speaker to eat in the kitchen would be condemned. Hughes provides an idea for what will one day happen to those who do not believe in the value of blacks as people or American citizens. In line 15 the speaker says â€Å"They’ll see how beautiful I am And be ashamed. † Hughes seems to infer that once whites begin to recognize the value of African Americans as people and citizens they will be ashamed of the way they have treated them. The last line brings to life Hughes idea of a new America; a place where a black person can say with pride and a sense of belonging â€Å"I, too am America. † If I, Too allowed Hughes to reveal an African American’s desire to be a proud American equal to white citizens The Negro Speaks of Rivers reveals the part of the African American identity that celebrates the strength and pride of an African heritage. â€Å"The sun was setting as the train reached St. Louis and began the long passage from Illinois across the Mississippi and into Missouri, where Hughes had been born. The beauty of the hour and the settingthe great muddy river glinting in the sun, the banked and tinted summer clouds, the rush of the train toward the dark, all touched an adolescent sensibility tender after the gloomy day. The sense of beauty and death, of hope and despair, fused in his imagination. A phrase came to him, then a sentence. Drawing an envelope from his pocket, he began to scribble. In a few minutes Langston had finished a poem. † (Rampersand, 1988) Hughes wrote The Negro Speaks of Rivers at 17 and dedicated the poem to W. E. B. Dubois. Though he was young and inexperienced as a writer; the poem revealed Hughes’ pride in his roots and the beginning of a legacy of poetry for African Americans. Hughes suggests that four rivers- the Euphrates, the Congo, the Nile, and the Mississippi have helped to cultivate black people throughout the years. The Negro Speaks of Rivers is quite different from other poems in that Hughes connects all black people through their African heritage. The poem spans over years of blacks in history who benefit from a heritage that has allowed the speaker to believe that his â€Å"soul has grown deep like the rivers† (Hughes, 1926). Hughes lists the rivers in their historical order which helps the reader to understand the legacy of the rivers that have shaped people of African descent. As each river is revealed in the poem the speaker’s soul grows deeper symbolizing a race of people who become stronger throughout history. From the building of pyramids to the end of slavery the poem seeks to show the connection Hughes felt to his ancestors. Hughes legacy of providing a voice for African Americans continued throughout his career. In 1951 nearly two decades after writing I, Too in which he addressed the issue of racism Hughes revisited the pain associated with being African American in Theme for English B. Hughes explores the relationship between an African American student and his white teacher. The poem reveals how race affects the African American’s self-identity. The speaker of the poem first reveals his instructor’s command â€Å"Go home and write a page tonight/ And let that page come out of you-Then, it will be true† (Hughes, 1951). The student questions the assignment revealing his hesitation to complete it. In the next stanza Hughes reveals the speaker’s identity. The speaker reveals that he is a colored college student; and that he is the only colored student in class. This assertion helps the reader to understand that this student believes that he is different from his peers and his instructor because of his race. As the speaker ponders his age and his experiences he realizes some of the things that reveal his self-identity. As the speaker continues he lists the many things that contribute to his identity. In lines 24 and 25 the speaker even recognizes that in some ways he is like people from other races. In his self-analysis the speaker realizes that though he is not white and his instructor is white he need not avoid what is true about their relationship. The truth is that they are both American as Hughes state in line 33 and there are times when African Americans do not want to be associated with white Americans and vice versa. The speaker accepts his reality and is made aware that in being African American he is able to learn from his white instructor. The speaker seems more satisfied when he realizes that the instructor can learn from him as well. In all three poems Hughes accomplished the task of giving African Americas a poetic voice. This voice allowed the pride of one’s heritage, the anger and frustration about social injustices, and the pain associated with being African American to become a part of American Literature. Hughes’ ability to draw from his experiences and those of the people knew gave him a range of topics for his work. Hughes desire to uplift the African American race is evident in most of his work. Through his poems I, Too, The Negro Speaks of Rivers, and Theme for English B Hughes gives African Americans reasons to feel proud of who they are and what they contribute to society.