Masterpiece Academy Question

-My Journey-

     Coming into this class on the first day of school was very intimidating for me. Not only was I new to the teacher and the Open Source Learning Program, but I was new to the whole entire school. Transferring high schools your senior year is not very ideal. While you have to worry about maintaining your grades and applying for colleges, you also have to worry about making new friends and adjusting to your new atmosphere. Meanwhile, the style of Open Source Learning and this course made it a much easier transition for me. This style of learning gives us students much freedom and a sense of trust. Unfortunately, many of us, including myself, would abuse this trust by not completing our work or just being lazy about it. But, could you really blame us? It's our senior year, and since we were little, we have always been placed in such a structured learning environment. The first time that we are not being hassled with points, deadlines, tests, and grades, we take advantage of this freedom. Although, I do think being presented by this much freedom in a classroom setting is much better to be  presented to seniors for the first time and not college freshmen. Next year, we will realize that if we want to succeed, we will need to push ourselves. No one's going to be there to hold our hands anymore. If we want success, we are going to have have to strive for it. 

     We have read many works this year that I have found relatable to my life. I relate to the Poisonwood Bible as I know how it feels to start off in a brand new place and to feel very foreign from everyone around you. Transferring from St. Joe's to Righetti as a senior can surely make you feel that way. In Brave New World, a main theme is the fast change in technology and advancements in our world and how we react to it. I, personally, am not a big fan of too much technology. I like the old-fashioned ways of writing letters and talking to people in person. With so many technological advances happening in society today, I can't help but wish for it to just all slow down sometimes.  In Pride and Prejudice, I learned that while everyone may not always agree with you, you must always do what you feel is right. This year, I have experienced some trouble listening to some of my peers talk so harshly about one another. It's something that really seems to bother me when I hear it and have learned to speak up for those who can't. It's not always easy, but it feels great when I build the courage to do so. I hope to build and carry on this courage throughout my life.

     Another thing that I hope to carry throughout my life is my love for nature. My masterpiece was based on hiking and the idea of being surrounded by nature's beauty. Following my two surgeries during the summer when I was thirteen, I was introduced to hiking. Since then, I have really grown to love it. If I'm ever having a hard day, there's something about climbing to the top of a mountain and feeling a sense of accomplishment while being surrounded by such beauty. It reminds you of all your blessings. Hikes are a good time for self-reflection and prayer. They're also a good way of bonding with friends or getting in a good workout. Spending the course of this year exploring new areas and hiking trails has really brought me back to my passion for hiking. I hope to never lose sight of this passion that brings me so much joy. 

     While working on my masterpiece brought me back to a passion of mine, seeing my classmates present their masterpieces opened my eyes to their passions and interests- something I loved to see. Seeing the way Ashlyn talked about Texas and how she knew so much about it made me so happy for her to enter her new journey this upcoming year at UTI. Seeing the way Omar opened up to our class and let us listen to him sing for the first time was so inspiring. Noah and Alec's presentation was also very inspiring.  They passionately talked about baseball and their drive to help little league players through umpiring. Joey's presentation that just showed a simple hobby of his made the whole classroom laugh (in a good way). Another thing that particularly made me laugh, was how Alec openly talked about taking psychedelic drugs in front of a teacher. But, he backed it up with so much thought, research, and passion that you couldn't help but be intrigued by his presentation. 

     I, personally, would not name myself a hero. I am just a young teenage girl who is anxious, yet frightened of her future. I'm anxious to learn new things and become somebody who means something to others. I can't wait to become a physical therapist and help those in need of recovery. Although, I am frightened by the journey it'll take to get there. It'll require me to step out of my comfort zone and challenge myself. I hope I build the courage I need to become all that I want to be in this world so that one day, somebody can call me their hero. 

     Until then, peace out Righetti! You gave me one memorable senior year. And lastly, thank you Dr. Preston for believing in all of us and giving us the opportunity to express our passions and aspirations before going out into the "real" world. 

MY MASTERPIECE

This is what I have been gradually working on throughout the course of this entire year.  I hope you enjoy watching it as much as I enjoyed making it! My video includes captured moments that I experienced while hiking Bishop's Peak, Point Sal, Montana de Oro, Orcutt Hill, Serenity Swing, the Cal Poly P, Madonna Hill, Big Sur, and various places in Yosemite! I hope this video inspires you to go outside and enjoy the nature that I love to be surrounded by.

Tomorrow, tomorrow, & tomorrow...

To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,
To the last syllable of recorded time;
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player,
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.

Macbeth Act 5, scene 5, 19–28

Macbeth Character Map

WHAT ABOUT MY MASTERPIECE?

So far, my masterpiece is coming along pretty easily.  Since I'm basing my masterpiece after something I enjoy doing- hiking- it's not too much of a hassle to make consistent progress for my project.  Almost every weekend since I began this project, I have been hiking many different hikes along the central coast and enjoying every bit of it.  As we come to a close with this semester, I hope to put all the pictures and videos I have captured into one inspiring masterpiece.  Meanwhile, being able to spend much time on this isn't always easy for me considering I take four other classes, am preparing myself to leave for college, have a job, babysit, volunteer, etc.  Shakespeare had all day and every day to create his legendary works.  Unfortunately, I don't.  So, I will try my best to work on finding more time to work on my masterpiece, considering it's such a big portion of my grade and something I love to do.

LOVE IS BLIND

In Macbeth, Lady Macbeth seems ruthless in her plan to make her husband king.  She is willing to do everything and anything to make it happen, appearing to be a little crazy.  So we, as an audience, see Lady Macbeth as being heartless and desperate.  Contrarily, Macbeth sees the bravery and strength in her that he does not see in himself.  He just sees her as being selfless and only trying to help him take the throne.  

Act 1 Study Questions: Macbeth

1.1

1. Beginning the play with a dialogue between the witches sets the mood to be dark, evil, and mysterious. This foreshadows the plot, theme, and mood for the future of the story in the same manner. In comparison of Shakespeare's other plays, Macbeth requires more ambiguity and the syntax and diction used needs to be more bleak. For example, Hamlet highlighted the themes of betrayal and complexity of relationships and power. Even though, the theme falls in the same ballpark with Macbeth, the gloominess of the plot of Macbeth overpowers that of Hamlet. In the beginning of the play, the witches were going to meet Macbeth at the "ere of sunset." Line 10 was "Paddock calls" and line 11 was "Anon." The phrase paddock class means a toad, which symbolizes transformation. The word anon means soon or shortly. The "toad" and it's transformation could metaphorically be compared to Macbeth and his evolving and transforming to be a completely different person or even having a transformation in his status and power. The witch's response as anon signifies how Macbeth will shortly have a transformation - to be declared a thane. 

1.2

1. The bloody seargent indirectly characterizes Macbeth by glorifying his actions towards Macdonwald. Macdonwald is a rebel who was executed. He tried to attack them. Macbeth executed macdonwald with his sword. This did not end the fight with the rebels, the Norwegians are still attacking.

2. The traitor was the Thane of Cawdor, as we learn from Ross. Duncan says that its a relief the thane of cawdor was executed and that Macbeth now owns his previous title.

1.3

1. The witches speech gives a first look at Macbeth and his wife without saying who they are. Indirect characterization of the two. Similar to Hamlet where he gives a mini synopsis early in the story. "Weird" in Shakespeare's day meant future seers not weird as we know it, prophecy and destiny. Shakespeare means that Macbeth's wife has him by the balls. They  cast a spell to control his destiny. 

2. Macbeth says something very similar to what the witches said at the beginning of the play. This could be him falling into the destiny the witches set up. Dried, chapped fingers, gender ambiguity, hairy, old, they have literal beards. The witches tell Macbeth that he will thane of Candor and eventually King, right then he finds out he is thane of Cawdor. Banquo asked the witch why they had nothing for him, they told him he is lesser but greater than Macbeth. We knew he was thane before he was thane.
3. Banquo says the witches were a figment of their imagination that they lie or that they are hallucinating. Macbeth learns that he is thane of Cawdor from Ross and Angus. During lines 114-156 he was going over his plan in his head and how everything had just happened to him. He acts very happy and shows no incredulity at being thane. Macbeth's aside shows him rationalizing what happened to him and he begins to think that he is going to be King soon. Macbeth tells Banquo that he is happy and excited and nothing more he explains his behavior by saying he is confused.

1.4

1. Cawdor was executed after openly confessing his treason and pleading for mercy. Malcolm tried to stick up for the thane, but the king responds by basically saying that you can't trust a man according to his face. He doesn't believe the thane was truly repentant.

2. The king greets them by saying that he can never repay them enough for their good deeds, but announces he will leave all his estate and names his son, Malcolm, prince of Cumberland. He then proposes that they go to Macbeth's castle at Inverness. Macbeth tells himself that the only way to be king is to get rid of Malcolm, and even though he'll be appalled at his action, he must do it.

1.5

1. Macbeth was honest with his wife when he informs her of his new title as "Thane of Cawdor." He refers to the witches as "weird sisters" probably because he doesn't want her know that he is associated with the "evil servants."

Lady Macbeth responds by saying that she thinks Macbeth is playng things off as if everything is fine. By saying "but be the serpent under't", she describes him as someone that lies to make everything appear under control. This doesn't really match the characterization of Macbeth so far in the story which implies that there is something the audience doesn't know about him. 

2. The wife was confident about the guests visit. She also seemed prepared and a little cocky about the way her and her husband would handle it.

3. Lady Macbeth. Yes she wants to kill Duncan. No, he isn't sure whether he wants to follow through with Lady Macbeths orders or not. She tells him not to let Duncan see tomorrow.

4. The question appears to answer itself. 
1.6

1. The opening speeches (1.6.1-10) describe how the surroundings of the castle are "pleasant" and the air is sweet-maybe even too sweet. From the outside, the castle appears to be paradise.

Lady Macbeth's welcome is formal. Her language is totally different from her language in the previous scene which shows how fake and dishonest her welcome was.

1.7

1. "If it were done when 'tis done then 'twere well." If it were done when it was done it was done well. (Meaning if he completed the death quickly and efficiently and with no complications then he did the job well.) Macbeth is determined to kill the king and be done with him but in lines 1-12 he is fearful of how the "inventor" will judge his actions. He's violating the hospitality of his kinship and responsibilities as a host towards his guest by trying to kill his guest instead of protecting them. The motivation that Macbeth attributes to himself in lines 25-28 is the attribute of an Arabic heaven-like God. He will be seen as a "God" and that is his source of motivation to get the job done.
2. In lines 28-30 she is complaining about him leaving the chamber because it was  almost time for dinner. Macbeth responds to her complaining by saying did he ask for me? And lady Macbeth says don't you know he did? The positions are lady Macbeth is ready for the King to be killed while Macbeth is still hesitant and on the fence about it. Macbeth convinced Lady Macbeth by explaining that he is an respected person and doesn't want to lose his honor while Lady Macbeth convinces Macbeth by convincing him to gain the power and kill the king. The stronger person in the scene is Lady Macbeth because  she's more verbally confident in her argument while convincing Macbeth to kill the King.