Spider Web Discussion

The Act 2: Scene 2 Spider Web Discussion that we had in class today was very interesting and allowed me to think about Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, in a whole new way. Overall as a class we really delved into the true meaning of both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's lines. We touched upon, not only Act 2, but the book as a whole. Although we did do a good job in discussing several different topics, I do think that at times we were all over the place. For example when someone would ask a question, that specific question never really was answered, rather than just agreed with or questioned further. We do have room to grow as a class, and so do I as an individual. I definetly could have contributed to the conversation more. I find it hard to know when it is the right time to throw out my ideas. Once I have an idea by the time there is a pause in the conversation the idea that I had had would no longer relate to the new topic. Again, this is what I need to work on as an individual, but as a class maybe focusing on one clear idea might help the discussion flow better. Once again, I think we all did well and am excited to see how we improve during our discussion on Things Fall Apart in April. 

Macbeth 2.1

How do Macbeth's words contrast to his true feelings in this scene? Support your answer with a specific detail from the text. 

The character of Macbeth, written by William Shakespeare, is a confused man who speaks of things that his body and future supposed fortune does not agree with. For example, during Macbeth's soliloquy in Act 1: Scene 2 he says, "Mine eyes are made the fools o' th' other senses." (2.1.56). This quote demonstrates how Macbeth is seeing things or hallucinating images that he cannot touch or smell or hear. His mind is trying to tell him of the things that shouldn't be done, but Macbeth and his body dismiss these messages. Another example of this is when he states that, "And, on thy blade and dudgeon, gouts of blood, Which was not so before. There's no such thing." Macbeth simply puts away the slightest chance that these things that he is seeing are real or may mean something. Is this because he knows what he is doing is unjust or because he does not understand who's blood he was seeing, blood of the King or of himself? Macbeth may disagree with the words that he speaks, but these words do not contrast from his true feelings because they are the truth in which he understands. Everything Macbeth says and sees is real but whether or not he believes in and acts upon these things ultimately decides his fate, therefore foreshadowing Macbeth's future.