Seventh Reading

Due to the fact I don't have the time this week to really "meditate" on a poem, I am posting about a poem I familiarized myself with last year. Theme for English B by Langston Hughes is a poem that has stuck with me ever since the day I read it. I feel like as if I can relate to it. Langston Hughes is the only African American student at his school, sometimes it feels that way to me. Santa Maria lacks versatility in its residence, for this reason it's not uncommon for me to feel like the only colored girl in the town. A lot of people here treat me as if I like different things and like I'm supposed to act a certain way because of the color of my skin. "I guess being colored doesn't make me not like the same things other folks like who are other races." I sometimes feel like people think that the color of my skin defines who I am. I like what I like and skin tone doesn't have a damn thing to do about it. I like what I like because I am me.

"So will my page be colored that I write? Being me, It will not be white." This quote threw me for a loop. It said a lot in ways I didn't think it would. In my eyes, I envisioned two modern companies. A black owner for one, a white owner for the other. In reality, one of the companies will have more respect than the other and it's not entirely based on skill. Statistics show that a white man will always make more than a black man. It doesn't matter how smart or successful they are. They don't fit the "white" quota, regardless of how hard they try. We live in a world where color still matters. The fact that Langston Hughes poem can still be relevant in the world I live in today is mind blowing.

Under Construction

My project is more behind the scenes at the moment.  I don't have any physical evidence aside from Facebook chats and my web history. I hope to have more to show for my work soon. I'm aiming to have legitimate proof by the end of next week.

ACT VI

"Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn, and cauldron bubble."
I wonder if Shakespeare is whom this quote originated from.


"The castle of Macduff I will surprise; Seize upon Fife; give to the edge o' the sword His wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls That trace him in his line."
It really does blow my mind how he became so ruthless almost overnight.


TBC: I'm trying my best to catch up on my MacBeth but it is rather hard to read the entire play in one sitting. I believe I can finish both acts tomorrow.

ACT III

"To be thus is nothing; But to be safely thus.--Our fears in Banquo"
It seems MacBeth has caught a terrible case of paranoia.

"Given to the common enemy of man, To make them kings, the seed of Banquo kings!"

"So is he mine; and in such bloody distance, That every minute of his being thrusts
Against my near'st of life: and though I could With barefaced power sweep him from my sight And bid my will avouch it, yet I must not"
 I find it interesting how MacBeth and Banquo are good friends until MacBeth allows his wife to get into his head.  Even in "hate", Macbeth cannot kill Banquo himself. It seems somewhat like a guilty conscience to me.

"Your spirits shine through you. Within this hour at most I will advise you where to plant yourselves; Acquaint you with the perfect spy o' the time,The moment on't; for't must be done to-night, "
Personally, I find it a little crazy how MacBeth can go form mental distraught after killing the king to having a flat our murder plan for Banquo. Maybe this was his design all along?

"Fleance his son, that keeps him company, Whose absence is no less material to me Than is his father's, must embrace the fate Of that dark hour."
So Banquos children have to suffer as well?

"'Tis safer to be that which we destroy Than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy."
Fair is foul and foul is fair honey.

"Using those thoughts which should indeed have died With them they think on? Things without all remedy Should be without regard: what's done is done."
It seems Lady MB has created a monster. I don't think Lady MB or the audience expected MacBeths dramatic change of heart.

"In restless ecstasy. Duncan is in his grave; After life's fitful fever he sleeps well;"
It seems like yesterday that MacBeth was upset about killing Duncan.. oh wait. 

"O, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife! Thou know'st that Banquo, and his Fleance, lives."
He's somewhat admitting to his sanity..


"O, treachery! Fly, good Fleance, fly, fly, fly! Thou mayst revenge. O slave!"

"Thanks for that: There the grown serpent lies; the worm that's fled Hath nature that in time will venom breed, No teeth for the present. Get thee gone: to-morrow We'll hear, ourselves, again."
Too bad Banquo wasn't the real snake in the sand.


"Are you a man?"
Best line of the play so far.

 "Hence, horrible shadow! Unreal mockery, hence!"
His guilt seems to be driving him mad.  He can't control his outbursts and he's been paranoid this entire scene.

"Was pitied of Macbeth: marry, he was dead: And the right-valiant Banquo walk'd too late; Whom, you may say, if't please you, Fleance kill'd, For Fleance fled: men must not walk too late."


"How it did grieve Macbeth! did he not straight In pious rage the two delinquents tear,"
Yeah, "grief".


Macbeth was acting very strange in this chapter. Mainly paranoid. I suppose it's understandable, but even Lady MB is starting to sense his insanity.

Acts II

ACT II

"Had he not resembled my father as he slept, I had don't"
This line made me chuckle, it was lady MacBeth who pushed MacBeth to kill Duncan, yet Duncan resembled her father so she could not do it herself. It seems more like she'd rather not have her hands soiled by convincing her husband to do the dirty work

"I could not say 'Amen,' when they did say 'God bless us!'
Guilt.

"Clean from my hand?No, this my hand will rather the multitudinous seas incaradine, making the green on red."

"A little water clears us of this deed: How easy it is then!"


"Oh yet I do repent me of my fury, that I did kill them!"

MacBeth and Lady. MB are tremendous actors. It's rather humorous to see them commit a crime so cruel such murder then mourn in shock the day actor.

"Lady MacBeth is carried out.."

Were her legs unable to hold the weight of her lies and deception?


I didn't have much commentary for Act II, It was mainly all about MacBeth and Lady MB's choice to murder the king and how their serpent like reflexes allowed them to slither away unsuspected. I look forward to reading the next few Acts (somewhat, this is Shakespeare after all),

Reconnected !

Hey guys! I know I promised to get my MacBeth done over the weekend but my computer hasn't turned on since Friday . I would have posted if off of my phone but the Acts too long to read on my phone and I'm not the best at spelling correctly when I text. Hopefully my computer can survive a few extra weeks while I Save for a new one. I'll be back on track before you know it! Thanks so much for your patience.

Please excuse my absence.

I'm aware that I haven't been posting on my blog very often but I do have a plausible reason. I have been spending the past week stressing out over my launch project. There seem to be obstacles at every turn when it comes to this project. I've been giving 125 % of my energy to make this work. The quote on my blog is "run til I finish" and even though times are getting tough, I can't give up just yet. I'm really hoping to make this rap battle for the homeless work. I believe with enough support and a little more elbow grease, we can make this work out (almost) as planned. Instead of holding votes for teachers, I would like to ask students for donations to help us make our care packages for the homeless. We would make announcements on social media over the weekends and throughout early next week then also make an announcement before the rally, during the rally, and before we crown the winners at the rally. I'm hoping to come back 10 times as strong once this rally is over while I'm on break.  I really don't like being behind on my work, but I also dislike unfinished projects. This project is more than just a grade to me, it's designed to help and comfort others. And if it means taking a lower grade for the time being, then I'm willing to make that sacrifice. I won't stop trying until there's nothing left to try for.

Wish me luck guys ! I'll be back with you as soon as physically possible !!

Look at my brain !

My Masterpiece requires a lot of collaboration. To be honest, I'm not one who likes relying on others. It's very easy to flake or have plans shift last minute. Though working with others increases production at times, it's very easy to slow things down if people don't completely do their part. My Masterpiece, does however, reflect my thought process. I'm one to help others and it sickens my soul to see people mistreat people. I feel like we all have roles to play and it's very important that we all play our part.

For the most part, my older sister was my inspiration for this product. She created "God Bless You" bags for her church. All of the members made their own bags with their own funds. I simply hacked it so that students could use it to begin changing the community.

Aside from that, I really have no other remarks on my Masterpiece. At least, not until it's finished.

What about my Masterpiece?

To be honest? It's getting hard to find energy for my masterpiece. When I'm not at school, I'm at work. When I'm not at work, I'm doing homework. When I'm not doing homework I'm trying to find time to sleep. I've been in grumpy zombie mode all week. My temper has become short from lack of sleep and my stress levels have risen from lack of time to get what I need to get done. So far we're working on posters for our teacher rap battle to help raise money for the bless you bags.  For the most part, we're on track. We have permission from ASB and teachers, we have a DJ and we have a date for the rally. All we need now is an outline of the rally and a list of instructions for the participants. I also need to find time to do research on prices for the bless you bags. I want to get the best deals possible to make as many bags as possible, but time seems to be running short. I hope once I get paid that I can afford to take a trip around town at the local grocery stores to find good prices for the bags. I see more and more homeless people out everyday and it breaks my heart that I cannot help them. I also need to make informational flyers about bless you bags to show local churches and businesses so that we can begin raising bless you bags for the community. Bags are built by donation and distributed by love offerings. I hope to have all of the bags prepared by the end of spring break. I would like to set up a small station in the office for bless you bags, students just put small offerings and take a bag to distribute. There is no minimum for donations. I would also very much like to go talk to local elementary school children. I feel like a lot of schools would be willing to help us raise money for bless you bags and having a physical bag to show them would definitely gain more support. If the public responds as anticipated, I will notify the local news and radio stations so that Righetti can be recognized for its efforts on helping the community. I have a lot of plans for these bags and I can't tell whether they're realistic or not, but I wont stop trying until I've given every last of my efforts. Anyways, our project is on track for the most part. My group just needs to step up its game and get on it's grind. We may have the luxery of relaxing and having the pleasure to distract ourselves with the things we enjoy, but many homeless men, women and children are struggling everyday. It's our turn to give back and giving back starts now.

Love is blind.

Considering the fact that we are just beginning to dive into then story of MacBeth, it's difficult to give detailed descriptions about Lady MacBeth and Macbeth. From the first Act, we see that Lady MacBeth is very controlling. She definitely wears the pants in her relationship with MacBeth. When Lady MacBeth hears about MacBeths opportunity to become king, she immediately jumps on the bandwagon to kill Duncan. Originally Macbeth is torn and traumatized at the thought of killing his dear cousin, but his lady easily manages to give him a change of heart. Lady Macbeth is the leader and MacBeth is her follower. Personally I feel that many audience members might label Lady MacBeth as crazy. Me personally? I see her as an attention craving gold digger. She's not satisfied with MacBeth being thane of two countries, she wants him to be a king. She's power hungry and is willing to shed blood if it means more power on her behalf.

MacBeth Act 1

"Fair is foul and foul is fair: Hover through the fog and filthy air"
I'm not entirely sure what this quote means. It somewhat reminds me of the quote "All's fair in love and war" Comparing two drastically different things to justify something,somewhat like the quote above.Its almost as if it's saying "everything goes."

"For brave MacBeth-- well he deserves that name-- "
I believe this is Indirect characterization? The sergeant describes MacBeth as brave and deserving, putting him on a honorable pedestal.

"Assisted by that most disloyal traitor The thane of Cawdor, began a dismal conflict."
"Go pronounce his present death, And with his formal title greet MacBeth"
The king of Cawdor betrayed King Duncan and MacBeth was awarded his title due to his bravery and leadership.

* I don't understand the First witches statement about the chestnuts*

"So foul and fair a day I have not seen."
Not entirely sure what the quote means, but the witches did quote this statement earlier.

*Banquo and Macbeth seem to have a conversation about women, I'm unsure if Banquo is calling Macbeth a woman or if he is talking about women in general.*

"All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, thane of Glamis! All hail, Macbeth, hail to thee, than of Cawdor! All hail, Macbeth, thou shalt be a king hereafter!" 
The witches state that MacBeth will not only become king, but also become the than of Glamis and Cawdor.

"Lesser than Macbeth. and greater. Not so happy but much happier. Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none: So all hail, Macbeth and Banquo!"
I had to read this a few times, but basically I believe it's saying that after their prophecies come true, Macbeth will become much greater and happier  than he was, but he will also feel lesser and will never be as happy.

"He was a gentlemen on whom I built my absolute trust."
I'm assuming that Duncan used to be close to the thane of Cawdor.

"These weird sisters saluted me, and referred me to the coming on of time, with "Hail, king that shalt be!" It seems the witches also told Lady MacBeth about her husbands soon to be future.

"Look like an innocent flower, but be the serpent under't."
Shakespeare's way of saying a wolf in sheep's clothing.

"When you durst do it, then you were a man; And, to be more than what you were, you would Be so much more the man."
Basically, Lady MacBeth is telling MacBeth to man up and do what he's supposed to do.