The Cask of Amontillado Response

EQ 1: What are the layers of context/setting in this film?
The first layer is the obvious layer. On the surface, this story seems like a quest between to friends for the quest of the rare sherry, Amontillado, in a deserted catacomb, which may ray suspicions. However, the creepy, dark setting brings us into the next level, which is the meaning of the story. As the story comes the a conclusion, it is realized that Fortunado had fallen in the trap of his companion, chaining himself to his death. The narrator knew how to tug onto Fortunado's heartstrings by tempting him with the rare Amontillado. Because of Fortunado's desire for Amontillado, he blindly follows his companion to wherever he leads him. Once inside the catacomb, his companion turns on him and reveals his true intentions. He led Fortunado to the catacombs for revenge, to chain him to the wall so he cannot escape. Finally, in examining the third layer of the story, we ask ourselves what is the true nature of our narrator. Has Fortunado done something so bad that he deserves to be locked alive in a catacomb, doomed for death? The narrator's nature is truly questioned due to his way to execute his revenge. We also see how Fortunado's lust for Amontillado, desire for it, to lead him to his death, unknowingly. By creating the setting, a dark, gloomy, catacomb, Poe created the perfect setting for the unexpected act of the narrator chaining his victim to the wall, ceasing all hopes or ways of attempted escape or anything else.

EQ 2: How does the author/poet convey evil or darkness? Is it through the plot, imagery, characters, setting? What expressions of darkness had the most impact on you and why?
The poet/author conveyed darkness by making the setting a place of darkness and death to set the mood of the story. Although the carnival at the beginning seems like a happy and friendly place, Poe chose to take the story to a totally different mood. The characters did not give much information about what is to happen, other than the introduction of the beginning as the narrator talks of revenge. The setting does make an impact in this story, but I prefer a more direct approach, an approach through the portrayal of characters to see what they are thinking, which gives a more personal feel towards the story.

EQ 3: How can a character represent darkness? Who or what is evil in this film? From whose perspective or in what context?
A character is able to represent darkness by what they say, how they say it, what they wear as well as the places they choose to go to. In this story, in the very end, the narrator, the one that led Fortunado to his death was the "evil" one. Even though Fortunado seems like the pessimistic character in the story as it progresses, but in the end, the narrator is the one that does the deed to prove his suspected nature. The perspective is from that of the audience, that of the reader in the context of the this story. Although it is a dark story, it questions the human nature and what a normal person may be thinking, of how we judge, it is still a story that explores the character and what is within them.

EQ 4: What factors contribute to the character's evil actions? What patterns in society or context help and/or hinder and/or change in his behaviour?
Factors that may contribute to the evil actions of our character include the time, what is happening in the society, politically as well as economically. It might also come in the form of the people he is surrounded by and their influencing factor on his decisions. The pattern in society may also change his behaviour as a sign of the survival instinct.

EQ 5: What are the roots of this person's choices/evil/dark behaviour? What are the choices he/she makes or could have done differently?
The roots of Montresor choices and behaviour in this specific story is revenge. It is because of his desire and the temptation of revenge on Fortunado. The choices that he could have done differently include choosing not to take revenge on Fortunado and be a good person by forgiving and forgetting. Also, he could have made different decisions on how to execute this dreadful act, maybe a more humane way of doing things.

EQ 6: How does this character/plot/setting symbolize the darkness in all of us? In humanity?
The character himself symbolized darkness by his choice of executing his revenge on Fortunado. The plot itself lead the story to a place of darkness, but at first glance, it does not to be going down the path of darkness. As the story wraps itself up, the plot reveals its true nature and that of the character as well. By choosing the lead the characters to a dark, somber catacombs This directly links us to the setting. By choosing a dark, deserted, somber catacomb, the author portrays a setting that is filled with death, resembles the terminations of life and casts the air of suspicion to both characters, although one of them realize what is going to happen. In humanity, there are always things that happen, especially the moment you turn on the news. People, events and setting may also symbolize darkness by casting the eery atmosphere, the choices people make, and the situations people find themselves in.

response

How true that we do need a balance. Unfortunatley that is what are society since the beginning of time has created the need for. That is all we know. We have never known a society that is all pure. How "evily" put. to be reeled and spit out! What a harsh world we do live. Do you not think we can survive it and overcome the darkness? Can one not change their morals? Do we go back to the nature/ nuture theory?
You have raised many valid issues in your well written piece. Great diction.

Why darkness exists in society

The depressing term of darkness is able to make a name for itself, survive, and thrive in a society based upon good morals and good intentions. Why? It is the same principle as black on white. You will never know the how pure and simple white is until you see the hideous looming black behind it, creating that contrast, that attention the black craves for. Therefore, darkness is able to exist in our society due to the need of a contrast to the good morals and good intentions. Without the darkness looming behind, the good morals and actions will never be noticed and will never shine through the dark. Remember, a hero would not exist is there was a villain. The two need each other to survive, to thrive in the monster of society that will reel you in and spit you out. Their nature are forever entwined and their paths inseparable.

Reflection of Macbeth

The play of Macbeth relates easily with many essential questions that have been asked in this unit. The two essential questions that really stuck out were: What does it mean to be human and How does power corrupt. Macbeth proved himself human when he succumbs to the power and manipulation from both the witches and Lady Macbeth herself. Lady Macbeth calls him a coward in Act I Scene VII to cause him to guilty for going against his promise to her. "Wouldst thou have that which thou esteem'st the ornament of life, And live a coward in thine own esteem," (I, vii, 44-47) Lady Macbeth manipulates Macbeth into doing her deeds through toying around with his conscience and causes guilt to be the ultimate drive towards his actions. The obvious question that everyone will answer is how does power corrupt. Gaining power from killing the king, Macbeth becomes power hungry and is obsessed with this new power and ability to do whatever he wishes as king. Because of this obsession of power, Macbeth leads to kill those that once cared for him to kept this power from escaping his grasp. After hearing the prophecy from the witches, Macbeth swears to kill the family of the one that fled from him. "The cast of Macduff I will surprise; Seize upon Fife; gives to the edge o' sword His wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls that trace him in his line." ( IV, i, 164-167). Macbeth here, is determine of killing the members of Macduff to ensure that the last apparition that was revealed would not come true. He did this in order to keep the power that he has gained, and to possibly gain more power by having the power to keep the power of a king. Macbeth is the clear example of how gaining even a little power will corrupt one self as they gain more. Power here, is the drug of the world.

What I learned throughout this project was that working in groups is easy, when everyone collaborate, which is exactly what everyone in our group did. We worked together to achieve it as fast as possible because we all had really busy lives. It was difficult to find a time to actually film the project, but we eventually found a free to time to put everything together and I was completely happy with the outcome. I also learned that it is really important to understand the play and to go beyond the black and white words to really understand the purpose of the play and what Shakespeare is trying to say and tell others. Something I noticed for the next time we work in groups is to not leave everything to the last minute, which we didn't do, but it is always a good reminder to myself. Also it is important to spend time analyzing the scene, maybe not word for word, but analyze the concepts and what the author or poet is trying to say.

I am extremely proud of the analysis of this scene we did because we dug deep into the meaning of the true meaning of the scene to uncover Shakespeare's message towards his audience as he reveals how easily manipulated we can be. He reveals a common characteristic that we may all possess, whether we admit it or not. If I divided the work of each of the group members, I would have to say that we all did equal amount of work contributing to the project. There was no one that did not do their part so it was a good group which helped us finish the project with effect time use and days before the dead line.

Macbeth Act 4 Scene 1

EQ: What does it mean to be human?
How does power corrupt?

In Act 4 Scene 1, the 3 witches brew a potion that can tell them the future and what will happen under which circumstances. Macbeth requests to look into the potion to see his own prophecy concerning his future. The apparition show an armed head, a bloody child and a child crowned with a tree in his hand. These are symbols of what may happen in the future that can strip him of his power as king. Now, Macbeth knows too be aware of the than of Fife, that no man born of woman shall harm himself and that he will be vanquished "when Great Birnam wood to high Dunsinane hill shall come against him" (Line 101-102). Then, when the witches leaves, Lennox comes and notify the king that Macduff has fled to England and it is then that Macbeth orders the death of Macduff's family and kin.

What does it mean to be human?
To Macbeth, the concept of being human hasn't passed through his head since he gained the power of a king. Now, he is power hungry because he already had a taste of what it feels like to be king. This is also another example of being human, because it shows how vulnerable we are and how easily influenced we are by what we are exposed to. "Time, thou anticipatest my dread exploits:" (Line 158) This line shows how Macbeth does not wish to be exposed of his weaknesses, although they seem unlikely to happen. This is proof that he wishes to stay in power

How does power corrupt?
We can also see in this Scene how becoming king, gaining all that power, has really corrupted Macbeth. Instead of just ordering the death of his friend, he wishes to kill another friend's family to show off his power, but also because he is frightened. In the beginning, the quest for power corrupted Macbeth into the king that he was loyal to. Now, after gaining all that power, Macbeth has to do more bad deeds to remain in power, which includes killing those that he was/are close to. "The cast of Macduff I will surprise; Seize upon Fife; give to the edge o' the sword His wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls" (Line 164-166). This shows us clearly that Macbeth wishes to eliminate the family of Macduff

comment to conflicting...

Ilike how you found examples in the first Act ot support M's dilema. You see where he is at and how he is torn. I like that you found more than one eg to support your answer and that you backed it up with support from the play to further develop your writing. remind me to show you how to footnote Shakespeare.

Macbeth Act I

EQ: How do we deal with conflicting elements within our personalities?

Macbeth had to deal with his own conflicting elements concerning his personality when his wife persuaded him to kill the King. To Macbeth, it didn't seem right to kill the king because he is still loyal to the king, but at the same time, he was ambitious and wished to gain that power as king of the land. In Act I, Scene 5, line 9,Macbeth told Lady Macbeth of the prophecy of the witches. "...'Hail, King that shalt be!'" This shows his ambition of being king and being encouraged because the prophecy of the witches. In Act I, Scene 7, line 33-34, we see how Macbeth does not desire to kill the king because he is loyal to the king. " We will proceed no further in this business: He hath honour'd me of late..." Therefore, Macbeth experienced conflicting elements of his personality while making such crucial decisions that made him doubt himself.
Also, in the movie, we saw the exact same inner conflict of Macbeth while Lady Macbeth was the outer influence that helped him decide.