Macbeth Essays (1297 words) - Characters In Macbeth, Free Essays

Macbeth Essays (1297 words) - Characters In Macbeth, Free Essays Macbeth Macbeths Representation of Ambition From top to bottom of the ladder, greed is aroused without knowing where to find ultimate foothold. Nothing can calm it, since its goal is far beyond all it can attain. Reality seems valueless by comparison with the dreams of fevered imaginations; reality is therefor abandoned. Many have dreamed up republics and principalities that have never in truth been known to exist; the gulf between how one should live and how one does live is so wide that a man who neglects what is actually done for what should be done learns the way to self destruction rather than self-preservation. Italian political philosopher Niccolo Machiavelli (1469-1527) states that greed leads men to their downfall, a concept which is paralleled with Shakespeares play, Macbeth. This play is the representation of human society in which Macbeth represents man. The play opens with 3 witches who honor Macbeth with three titles: Thane of Glamis (his present title), Thane of Cawdor (his son to be announced title) and the pro phecy that he will be king hereafter. Macbeth who is roused by his vaulting ambitions, lust for power, tempted by these titles, murders his rivals to the throne with his wife. As a result of his ruthless quest for power leads him to his fate. Erich Fromm (1900-1980), a psychologist once stated greed is a bottomless pit which haunts man in an endless effort to satisfy the need without ever reaching satisfaction. He who comes along greed is condemned to this bottomless pit. Shakespeare demonstrates that greed that harms others, destroys the holder: mentally and morally, and eventually leads to ones ultimate destruction. When man is driven by greed to achieving their goal, they are stripped away of their morals and ethics. Macbeth is fighting a war, a deadly game where man takes advantage of others to win and claim the title of king. if it were done when tis done, then twere well it were done quickly. If the assassination could trammel up the consequence, and catch, with the surcease, success; that but this blow might be the be-all and the end-all here, but here, upon this bank and shoal of time, wed jump the life to come. But in these cases we still have judgement here; that we but teach bloody instruction, which being taught, return to the plague of inventor: this even handed justice condemns the ingredients of our poisond chalice to our own lips. (Act I, Scene VII) Macbeth has confused feelings about murdering Duncan, his worthiest cousin. He hesitates to murder Duncan because he is scared of the consequences which may somehow return and plague him. He questions to himself, how would his new subje cts react? However, his ambition numbs the fear and the conscience concerning consequences and his morals. At this point, he is already morally degraded. Macbeth does not question the morality of the actions of what he is about to take but instead worries about the consequences he may have to face if he fails. Thus Macbeth does not fear or feel any moral remorse in committing the murder itself. Our fears in Banquo stick deep; and in his royalty of nature reigns that which would be feard: tis much he dares: and to that dauntless temper of his murder he hath a wisdom that doth guide his valour to act in safety. There is none but he whose being I do fear: and under him, my genius is rebuked. ( Act III, Scene II) Macbeth is irritated by Banquo, whose existence is a hinderence towards his fulfillment of the prophecies. My lord, his (Banquos) throat is cut; that I did for him. (Act III, Scene II) Macbeth deals with this by murdering Banquo. However, this time he does not contemplate over whether or not to murder Banquo but the actions he takes are caprice. By the end of the play, Macbeth does not feel a bit of hesitation to taking the life of another. Seize upon Fife; give to the edge o the sword his wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls that trace him in his line. (Act IV, SceneI) Greed degrades a mans morals by blinding him of them, only allowing a

Famous Christmas Poems in German and English

Famous Christmas Poems in German and English Many German poems celebrate the Christmas holiday. Among the best are three well-known and short verses by the great poets Rainer Marie Rilke, Anne Ritter, and Wilhelm Busch. Though they were written over a century ago, they remain favorites today. Here you will find the original poems in German as well as the English translations. These are not necessarily  literal translations as some poetic liberty was taken in a few places to retain the voice and style of the poets. "Advent" by Rainer Marie Rilke Rainer Marie Rilke (1875–1926) was destined for the military, but an insightful uncle pulled the Prague-born student from a military academy and set him up for a literary career. Before entering Charles University in Prague, Rilke had published his first volume of poetry entitled Leben and Lieder (Life and Songs). Rilke spent years traveling around Europe, had met Tolstoy in Russia, and found lyrical poetry while in Paris. Among his best-known works  were Das Stunden Buch (The Book of Hours, 1905) and  Sonnets of Orpheus (1923). The prolific poet was admired by fellow artists but otherwise generally unrecognized by the public.   Advent was one of Rilkes earliest poems, written in 1898. Es treibt der Wind im Winterwaldedie Flockenherde wie ein Hirt,und manche Tanne ahnt, wie baldesie fromm und lichterheilig wird,und lauscht hinaus. Den weißen Wegenstreckt sie die Zweige hin - bereit,und wehrt dem Wind und wchst entgegender einen Nacht der Herrlichkeit. English Translation of Advent The wind in the winter white foresturges the snowflakes along like a shepherd,and many a fir tree senseshow soon she holy and sacredly lighted will be,and so listens carefully. She extends her branchestowards the white paths – ever ready,resisting the wind and growing towardsthat great night of glory. "Vom Christkind" by Anne Ritter Anne Ritter (1865–1921) was born Anne Nuhn in Coburg, Bavaria. Her family moved to New York City while she was still young, but she returned to Europe to attend boarding schools. Married to Rudolf Ritter in 1884, Ritter settled in Germany. Ritter is known for her lyrical poetry and Vom Christkind is one of her best-known works. It is often referenced using the first line as the title, commonly translated as I think I saw the Christ Child. It is a very popular German poem thats often recited at Christmas time. Denkt euch, ich habe das Christkind gesehen!Es kam aus dem Walde, das Mà ¼tzchen voll Schnee, mit rotgefrorenem Nschen.Die kleinen Hnde taten ihm weh,denn es trug einen Sack, der war gar schwer,schleppte und polterte hinter ihm her.Was drin war, mà ¶chtet ihr wissen?Ihr Naseweise, ihr Schelmenpack-denkt ihr, er wre offen, der Sack?Zugebunden, bis oben hin!Doch war gewiss etwas Schà ¶nes drin!Es roch so nach Äpfeln und Nà ¼ssen! English Translation of From the Christ Child Can you believe it! I have seen the Christ child.He came out of the forest, his hat full of snow,With a red frosted nose.His little hands were sore,Because he carried a heavy sack,That he dragged and lugged behind him,What was inside, you want to know?So you think the sack was openyou cheeky, mischievous bunch?It was bound, tied at the topBut there was surely something good insideIt smelled so much like apples and nuts. "Der Stern" by Wilhelm Busch Wilhelm Busch (1832–1908) was born in Widensahl, Hanover in Germany. Better known for his drawings, he was also a poet and combining the two led to his most famous work. Busch is considered the godfather of German comics. His success came after developing short and humorous drawings adorned with comedic lyrics. The famous childrens series, Max and Moritz, was his  debut and is said to be the precursor to the modern comic strip. He is honored today with the Wilhelm Busch German Museum of Caricature   Drawing Art in Hanover. The poem Der Stern remains a favorite recitation during the holiday season and has a wonderful rhythm in its original German. Htt einer auch fast mehr Verstandals wie die drei Weisen aus dem Morgenlandund ließe sich dà ¼nken, er wre wohl niedem Sternlein nachgereist, wie sie;dennoch, wenn nun das Weihnachtsfestseine Lichtlein wonniglich scheinen lßt,fllt auch auf sein verstndig Gesicht,er mag es merken oder nicht,ein freundlicher Strahldes Wundersternes von dazumal. English Translation: The Star If someone had almost more understandingthan the three Wise Men from the OrientAnd actually thought that he would never have followed the star like them,Nevertheless when the Christmas SpiritLets its light blissfully shine,Thus illuminating his intelligent face,He may notice it or not -A friendly beamFrom the miracle star of long ago.