Peter Kuper's cartoon of Metamorphosis

I saw that the other class with the BAC traditionnel are reading The Metamorphosis as a graphic version, by Peter Kuper. I looked it up and found his website, and at the beginning there's also a video with the beginning of the novel. I borrowed the book and found his adaptation really original; he really manages to keep the same vibe as the real novel throughout the book, but still makes it a darker version at the same time (maybe just because we're able to see the elements visually). I hope you guys enjoy it!

How can setting express point of view?

Macbeth

Act 2 scene 4: this scene is an exposition scene: Duncan is buried and Macbeth to be crowned. An old man and Ross discuss the few unnatural events since Duncan's death. A falcon was killed by an owl and Duncan's horses ate each other. The falcon killed by the owl shows that the predator became the pray. We can assume that Macbeth is the owl and Duncan is the falcon. It also shows that there is chaos. We also learn that Macduff is suspicious; therefore he will not go to Macbeth's coronation. He is loyal to his old king. "Lest our old robes sit easier than our new":the old clothes are an image for Duncan and the new ones are Macbeth. This suggests that Duncan was a better king and we can assume that bad events will arrive soon.

Act 3 scene 1: the scene opens on Banquo questioning himself about the prophecy. Macbeth's prophecy was realized so why wouldn't his be too? He suspects Macbeth to have done evil things to realize it faster ("thou played'st most foully for't") and he doesn't want to do the same mistakes as Macbeth did. The fact that the third act opens on Banquo shows that we will focus more on him than on Duncan from now on. This is the first time that Macbeth and Banquo speak alone since they have seen the witches and they are beginning to separate. Macbeth lies to Banquo by saying that he doesn't think about the witches, he starts to think like a king replacing "I" by the royal "We". Macbeth asks a lot of questions about what will Banquo do later that night and with whom. He wants to know because he wants to kill him and his son. He isn't secure. When Banquo leaves and Macbeth is alone, he talks about how in front of Banquo his "genius is rebucked". He feels inferior to him because Banquo is such a good person. Banquo is the winner because he will realize his prophecy without corrupting himself; he is more noble than Macbeth. Then Macbeth sends murderers to kill Banquo and Fleance because he already has murderer sleep and guilt so he thinks that it will be easier. The murderers are his alibi. They are so miserable that they would do anything to have a better status. To persuade them, Macbeth says that Banquo is responsible for their misery and he compares them to dogs just like Lady Macbeth did to him.

macbeth the monster

Macbeth is no longer the person he used to be. Now he is a murderer and a tyrant. He lives with paranoia ,and tries to fight fate. In the beginning of the book, Macbeth was presented to us as this valiant and praised soldieR he was "brave Macbeth"(p9). Now he is this horrible man, who is close to being a monster. He is ready to destroy anybody and anyone that will get in his way. Many people fell victim to Macbeth ambition. His first victim was Duncan " Duncan have i murdered"(p85) . Macbeth has killed Duncan in his sleep "Macbeth[ he ] has murder sleep"( 57. Macbeth has a hard time dealing with what he has done to Duncan. His state of mind is not stable he is afraid because he could no longer" pronounce amen" and could "sleep no more"(p57). This guilt does not stop his awaken ambition. Now that he has tasted blood he could no longer stop himself from tasting more. We sense that not only Macbeth ambition has been awaken, but also the monster within him. Macbeth reminds us of the creature in Frankenstein. He was seen by the reader as a creature until he killed William . The creature became a monster when he felt for the first time powerful. Macbeth is now feeling that way. He is feeling powerful: therefor, nothing could stop him not even fate. In order to stop fate he goes as far as having his best friend Banquo killed. Macbeth hits rock bottom when he orders the Macduff family killed. He plans to destroy Macduff's" wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls that trace him in his line"(p131). At this stage of the play, the reader feels no sympathy for Macbeth ,but instead sees him as a monster. Macbeth is a monster that is blinded by his ambition and will go as far as bring chaos upon the world.

Gods, Monsters and Men

Dear oib class,
We have been having a philosophical discussion on the nature of man and the nature of monsters.  We've spoken of monsters before, and of men who wish to be God, but what, then, is a man?  How does Shakespeare invite us to answer this question?

Who is the third murderer?

Who is the third murderer?

Poets are watchers of the skies too!

John Keats. 1795–1821

634. On first looking into Chapman's Homer

MUCH have I travell'd in the realms of gold,
And many goodly states and kingdoms seen;
Round many western islands have I been
Which bards in fealty to Apollo hold.
Oft of one wide expanse had I been told	5
That deep-brow'd Homer ruled as his demesne:
Yet did I never breathe its pure serene
Till I heard Chapman speak out loud and bold:
Then felt I like some watcher of the skies
When a new planet swims into his ken;	10
Or like stout Cortez, when with eagle eyes
He stared at the Pacific—and all his men
Look'd at each other with a wild surmise—
Silent, upon a peak in Darien.

FREE POST: create your topic!

Science vs. Imagination (or L vs. S)

To continue our debate... I believe that both are essential. They have different roles; and the debate on which of them is more important, could go on forever. I heard some people saying in class today that science is essential for survival; but it depends on what our definition of survival is. It's unfair to say that imagination is useless, just because it's role is more implicit. People have different wants and needs; so in the end, it depends on the person. Some people need more imagination to survive in this industry, while others need the science - but in the end, everyone needs both. Imagination creates science, and science creates imagination. Otherwise: let's just agree to disagree.

Lady Macbeth is a strong willed woman that loves to be in control. She enjoys dictating her husband telling him what to do .Her main flaw is that she is too controlling she wants things done her way, and stays true to her words . She is avery manipulative woman. Her redeeming quality is that she is a very smart woman she planned the murder of Duncan to the last detail. We could say that her plan was a very good one for the exception of Macbeth not telling her about Malcolm the successor of Duncan. I feel as though Shakespeare is denouncing woman in this book in general. We see through the three witches and lady Macbeth that woman are deceitful creatures. They charm you. Macbeth was charmed by the witches who told him that he will be king. Lady macbeth is encouraging him to commit murder she is pushing him to go along with the plan. Macbeth respects her because he knows what she is capable of. We saw that she has no problem killing the king. She would have done so if he did not look like her father. Macbeth fears her in a way because she is capable of doing what he isn't. That is why she takes the lead in their marriage.

Can Lady Macbeth wash the blood away as easily as she thinks?

Why doesn't Lady Macbeth just go and kill Duncan by herself?

Will the Scottish play revolve around the killing of Duncan? If so, why would it happen early in the play?

The Scottish Play.....

"Fair is foul and foul is fair
Hover through the fog and the filthy air."
Not much plot in that--so what have we learned about what this play will be about?

The mariner's nightmare life in death...a worse penance than the sailors' death or not?

The Bride of Frankenstein

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9t6NHlPJHA

In this version of Frankenstein, Victor actually creates a partner for Creature. However, things don't turn out so well... You guys should watch the movie!

Creature's crimes

A couple of hours ago, an idea came into my head. It was about the Creature's crimes as the title says. In class, we talked about whether Creature was redeemable or not. Some people said that he continued killing knowing he was doing something wrong making it impossible to forgive him, and I just wanted to add to that.

Creature was never regarded as a human being and therefore he had no obligation to follow any human laws including the one saying that killing a human being is a crime. Humans couldn't call him a criminal or a serial killer because he was inhuman and he later became inhumane. What I'm trying to say is that Creature did not commit any human crime therefore he needs to be judged differently from how a normal serial killer would, but that fact is also pro the idea that creature=monster. That’s pretty much all. I just want to know what you all think about this fact. Feel free to contradict me if you want or add to it.

"I am your master--obey!"

Roman had an interesting point we underdevloped in class today: who is the master and who is the slave in Frankenstein?  What do you think?

Check out this Monster Mash video :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0thH3qnHTbI&a=GxdCwVVULXeM_hMl4AC_shQUThtA1haY&list=ML&playnext=1

Should he or shouldn't he?

Trailer for Bride of Frankenstein....

"How dare you sport thus with life?"

Dear oib class,

I hope you agree with Lea that the excerpt from the Frankenstein movie is epic!  I think so too!!  Do check out Bride of Frankenstein as well and take a look at the Gods and Monsters trailer on the blog. Even scarier than Frankenstein, I think, is Nosferatu, the vampire film from the silent screen era...woah.  That will keep you up at night!

Tomorrow, you'll be doing some in class writing about chapters 11 through 16, but first I'm going to want to talk about two things the creature and Victor say to each other  before he tells his tale:

Creature to Victor: "how dare you sport thus with life?"
Victor to Creature: "there can be no community between us"

Think about it.  blog about it...We need to get some ideas going on the blog.  Be the first!  Remember you all have to go there!

I put Alex's notes up and will put last week's notes up when I get them--who took them? Laura, I think?

The new chapters will keep us busy until Thursday.

Read chapters 17-20 for Friday and finish the book for next Monday.

Faust

Faust (pronounced ‘fowst’) or Faustus is a scholar who sells his soul to the Devil. Although fictional in literature, the legend is based on an actual magician who lived in the area of northern Germany in the fifteenth century.
Once idealistic, he is now disillusioned and bitter with despair. He foresakes God and makes a perilous deal with the Devil in which he commits his soul to eternal damnation in return for power and knowledge in this life.
The legend has inspired many great writers, musicians, and other artists. The two most famous works on the Faust theme are Christopher Marlowe’s The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus, and Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe’s Faust.

It's Alive! Watch the trailer of Frankenstein!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8H3dFh6GA-A

Watch the trailer to Gods and Monsters here!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFhK0ia7oG0

Sheet of the Week

Dear oib class,

ok, well we left Banquo in the middle of his speech...darn fire drill!  So please read Act 3, scene 1 for Monday and consider the way Banquo and Macbeth feel about each other.  Be ready to talk about that in class!

For Wednesday, please read through scene 3.  We'll be finishing up Act 3, looking at Satan's soliloquy, and continuing our grammar fun throughout the week!

Don't forget that synthesis questions are due on Friday and that you need to bring your trip money and form if you didn't do so for today!

Also, I apparently posted your Frankenstein essay grades TWICE.  So that was an ERROR which I've now fixed!  I'm going to try to get your rewrites to you on Monday.  Remember: you've got another synthesis grade coming, a blog post grade and a participation grade so don't worry!!

I put a 'free post" up for those of you who may not be able to post.  Feel free to launch a topic in that space.

Dear oib class,


Things are about to get very interesting....who is this weird hitchhiker that just got on Walton's boat? Why is he so picky about where Walton is going?  What is he like?  Is this the friend Walton was hoping for?  These pressing questions were left on the table...That's what's called a cliffhanger.  So on Monday, we'll start with these.  Then, we'll move into our next narrative box, the first five chapters of Victor Frankenstein's narrative.."I am by birth a Genevese..."


Please read chapters 6-10 for Wednesday.  I'll probably have you do some in class writing on your reading in the first hour.


Expect to read through chapter 16 for the following Monday.


I hope you're enjoying the book so far.  It's one of my favorites :)

I'll be working on our blog and I'll send it to you when it's done. I'll ask you then to sign up as a follower so you can contribute to it on a regular basis.

Have a great weekend!!

Frankenstein!!

On a dark and stormy night...or On a dreary night in November...roll up your sleeves, class.  It's fall and Halloween is coming!!

ghost tales hail all the way back to the Gothic novels of the 18th century, stories that take place in the moonlight of imagination, in the dark, in remote, ruinous castles in far away, foreign places (Germany and Eastern Europe, often) where creatures of the night lurk.  The Romantics often used the mystery of the Middle Ages as a backdrop to their supernatural tales. 

Welcome!

Dear oib class,
Welcome to your blog!  Here you will post notes and read each other's ideas.  You should check in at least once a week to write an original response and answer a class member.  It's your blog. Have fun with it!