As You Like It LRJ #5

Natalie Mironov

Ms. Peifer

English 10 IB, Hr 4

16 March 2009

As You Like It: Act 5

Act Five is when Orlando's main goals of becoming a gentleman and gaining the love of Rosalind are fully achieved. Orlando tells Ganymede, "I can live no longer by thinking" (5.2.53), which means he is no longer able to just pretend Ganymede is Rosalind, he needs Rosalind herself. In response to this Ganymede tells Orlando, "If you do love Rosalind so near the heart as your gesture cries it out, when your brother marries Aliena shall you marry her" (5.2.65-68). This shows that Rosalind finally trusts that Orlando's love is true. As Rosalind she later tells him, "I'll have no husband, if you be not he" (5.4.127), showing that Orlando has finally won over his true love and is able to live happily with her. Before they are married Orlando even says, "That would I, had I kingdoms to give with her" (5.4.10). This means that he would marry her no matter what it took and shows that he is not using her, he truly loves her, and in this way is a gentleman.

Orlando's relationship with Oliver has become strong and he even discusses his upcoming marriage to Aliena with Orlando. Orlando says, "Is 't possible that on so little acquaintance you should like her? That but seeing, you should lover her? And loving, woo? And wooing, she should grant? And will you persever to enjoy her?" (5.2.1-4). This seems a little hypocritcal after Orlando has been wooing Rosalind after falling in love with her immediately, but shows that the bond between the brothers has become strong because they can talk in this way.

As You Like It LRJ #4

Natalie Mironov
Ms. Peifer
English 10 IB, Hr 4
16 March 2009

As You Like It: Act 4

Orlando's main objective in this act is to learn how to win over Rosalind. He asks Ganymede questions, inquiring, "How if the kiss be denied?" (4.1.83), and "Who could be out, being before his beloved mistress?" (4.1.86-87), showing he wants to learn how to better act around her. When he has to leave to eat dinner with the duke he promises to be back by two and Ganymede says, "If you break one jot of your promise or come one minute behind your hour, I will think you the most pathetical break-promise, and the most hollow lover, and the most unworthy of her you call Rosalind that may be chosen out of the gross band of the unfaithful" (4.1.201-206). This shows how important this promise is to Ganymede so Orlando is forced to make a tough decision when he encounters his brother in the forest about to be attacked by a lioness. He debated walking away so that he could keep his promise to Ganymede because Oliver says, "Twice did he turn his back and purposed so, but kindness, nobler ever than revenge, and nature, stronger than his just occasion, made him give battle to the lioness" (4.3.135-137). These qualities in Orlando show how he truly is a gentleman, even without the gentleman's education he desires. It shows his kindness, even to someone who had been as cruel to him as Oliver.

Along with this display of goodness to Oliver, Ganymede asks Orlando questions of marriage, to which Orlando replies that he would love Rosalind "forever and a day" (4.1.152). He also tells Ganymede, "I take some joy to say you are because I would be talking to her" (4.1.94-95), meaning he enjoys pretending Ganymede is Rosalind because it would mean he was able to talk to her everyday. These statements tell of Orlando's true character as devoted and loving, and overall, a gentleman.

Through this all Orlando and Oliver's relationship has changed from one of utter loathing to caring brothers once more. Oliver says that, "In brief, he led me to the gentle duke, who gave me fresh array and entertainment, committing me unto my brother's love" (4.3.151-153). This change proves Orlando to be honorable and forgiving as well.

As You Like It LRJ #3

Natalie Mironov
Ms. Peifer
English 10 IB, Hr 4
15 March 2009

As You Like It: Act 3

By this part of the play, Orlando has become a hopeless romantic, so caught up in love that it is all he can focus on. He uses his setting in the forest to help him express his love for Rosalind. He says, "O Rosalind, these trees shall be my books, and in their barks my thoughts I'll character, that every eye which in this forest looks shall see thy virtue witnessed everywhere" (3.2.5-8). In this way he uses the forest around him to show everyone that passes through, not just Rosalind, how much she means to him.

Although Orlando's overall goal is still to become a gentleman, his current goal has become wooing Rosalind and winning her love. He tells himself he is going to "carve on every tree the fair, the chase, and unexpressive she" (3.2.9-10), meaning he is going to tell everyone of her beauty, her virtue, and how hard it is to express all that she is. Jaques even tells Orlando that "the worst fault you have is to be in love" (3.2.286), to which Orlando replies, "'Tis a fault I will not change for your best virtue" (3.2.287-288). This shows how even though his love is consuming his every action, he would not give it up because it is so meaninful. Although unknowingly, Orlando does begin to achieve this goal when Rosalind, as Ganymede, tells him to "call me Rosalind and come every day to my cote and woo me" (3.2.434-435), but he doesn't know that it's her so he doesn't get the satisfaction from it that he would if he knew it was Rosalind.

Orlando develops a bond with Ganymede, who is really Rosalind, of pretend lovers because Ganymede said to Orlando, "You must call me Rosalind" (3.2.442-443) so that Ganymede can "wash your liver as clean as a sound sheep's heart, that there shall not be one spot of love in 't" (3.2.429-431). In this way Rosalind can test Orlando to see how true his love really is. At this time, Orlando and Jaques have gone from being friendly acquaintances - from when Duke Senior and Jaques aided Orlando and Adam - to despising each other. Jaques says, "Let's meet as little as we can" (3.2.262), and Orlando agrees, saying, "I do desire we be better strangers"' (3.2.263). This shows their distaste for each other due to their differing opinions about Orlando's poems to Rosalind.

As You Like It LRJ #2

Natalie Mironov

Ms. Peifer

English 10 IB, Hr 4

12 March 2009

As You Like It: Act 2

In Act Two, Orlando is a very devoted friend. He is now in the forrest with Adam and is committed to Adam's well being through the entire act. The significance of them being in the forest is that it shows Adam's commitment to take care of Orlando as well. This commitment and the fact that Adam helped Orlando escape from Oliver's plot to kill him strengthened the bond between them and Orlando tells Adam that they will "go along together, and ere we have thy youthful wages spent, we'll light upon some settled low content" (2.3.67-69). Because of this Orlando wants to repay Adam and help him as best he can and this includes when Adam is starving. His goal becomes making sure that Adam survives and this is evident because he says, "If this uncouth forest yield anything savage, I will either be food for it or bring it for food to thee" (2.6.6-7). This quote shows how deep their connection truly is that Orlando is willing to risk his life to save Adam's. Orlando ends up securing food for himself and Adam by threatening Duke Senior and Jacques, who he met in the forest. He tells them, "He dies that touches any of this fruit till I and my affairs are answered" (2.7.103-104). Although this is rude and ungentlemanly, Orlando thought it was necessary to help Adam and when he found out it wasn't he immediately apologized, saying, "Pardon me, I pray you. I thought that all things had been savage here, and therefore put on the countenance of stern commandment" (2.7.111-114).

This display of friendship helps Orlando towards his overall goal of becoming a gentleman. Being a gentleman includes doing honorable things and taking care of one's friends. Orlando achieves this goal and demonstrates that he is a gentleman when he says, "I will bear thee to some shelter, and thou shalt not die for lack of a dinner if there live anything in this desert" (2.6.15-17). This is honorable because it shows he is going to do everything he can to save his friend's life.

Aside from Adam, who Orlando has shown he has a close bond with, he has some relationships that aren't as good. His relationship with his brother Oliver is not as good. He tells the reader that Oliver is "of a diverted blood and bloody brother" (2.3.38), meaning Oliver is violent and they don't even consider each other to be brothers.

As You Like It LRJ #1

Natalie Mironov

Ms. Peifer


English 10 IB, Hr 4


9 March 2009

As You Like It: Act 1

Orlando is the son of Sir Rowland du Bois and the brother of Oliver. In Act One he is living at home on his father's estate which Oliver inherited following Sir Rowland's death. Orlando doesn't enjoy it, saying Oliver "keeps me rustically at home, or, to speak more properly, stays me here at home unkept" (1.1.6-8). This is saying that Oliver keeps him at home in the country, instead of sending him somewhere to be educated, and doesn't properly care for him. Orlando states that "his horses are bred better, for, besides that they are fair with their feeding, they are taught their manage and, to that end, riders dearly hired" (1.1.10-13). In this way he shows how poorly Oliver takes care of him. This treatmant makes Orlando especially desire the gentleman's education his father wanted him to receive and he sets his sights on getting it. To get what he wants, Orlando demands that Oliver "allow me such exercises as may become a gentleman, or give me the poor allotery my father left me by testament" (1.1.70-73). This is the passion for education and importance Orlando places in it. It shows that he wants it badly enough that he would do anything for it or settle for something less, as long as it shows the promise of being able to become educated.

In this act Orlando also shows off his intelligence and bravery because, while Charles is constantly saying that he's going to win, Orlando responds telling him "you mean to mock me after, you should not have mocked me before" (1.2.202-203). This shows that he knows a person can't know the outcome of something before it has happened and must not be to full of themself. When talking about Charles, he also states that, "He is the general challenger, I come but in as others do, to try with him the strength of my youth" (1.2.163-165). This shows that although Orlando doesn't want to be viewed as a coward, he still wouldn't challenge Charles of his own accord because he knows it would be a foolish thing to do.

Although Orlando and Oliver do not like each other or get a long, and Celia mentions that Duke Frederick doesn't care for him, Orlando appears to have a good relationship with all other characters in the play. Celia says, "By this kind of chase I should hate him, for my father hated his father dearly. Yet I hate not Orlando: (1.3.30-33). This shows that he must be a charismatic, likeable person. The reader also sees his charisma in the relationship between him and Rosalind. After just meeting they both have strong feelings for one another and Orlando says, "What passion hangs these weights upon my tongue? I cannot speak to her, yet she urged conference" (1.1.258-259). This shows how lovestruck Orlando is and how strong the bond is between him and Rosalind.

Macbeth LRJ #6

Natalie Mironov
Ms. Peifer
English 10 IB, Hr 4
3 March 2009

In "Macbeth," Shakespeare asks the reader many important questions involving destiny and ambition. The play makes the reader wonder whether people are able to change and what will happen if it is attempted. It also brings up the question of when is it acceptable to act upon ones desires? Shakespeare asks the reader this by making them consider Macbeth's thoughts and actions. After hearing of the prophecy he says, "The Prince of Cumberland! That is a step on which I must fall down, or else o'er leap, for in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires: let not light see my black and deep desires" (1.4.48-51). This brings up the question of whether Macbeth should act on this and try to fulfill the prophecy or whether that is interfering too much with destiny. When Lady Macbeth hears of what the witches sais she tells Macbeth, "You shalt be what though art promised" (1.5.16-17), but she even questions whether doing this will get them what they want because she immediately says, "Yet do I fear nature: it is too full o' th' milk of human kindness to catch the nearest way" (1.5.17-19). This shows her questioning human interference in ways such as this and makes the reader question if one should act upon blind ambition, especially without having much knowledge of the topic.

Shakespeare goes on to answer these questions by showing the reader what happens to Macbeth. Near the end of the play they hear Macbeth say, "My way of life is fallen into the sere, the yellow leaf: and that which should accompany old age. As honor, love, obedience, troops of friends, I must not look to have: but in their stead, curses not loud but deep, mouth-honor, breath, which the poor heart fain deny, and dare not" (5.3.110-116). This is saying that even with all Macbeth's ambition and all he did to try to fulfill the prophecy and better his life, he ended up without love and friends, things which nobody wants to be without in life. He continually repeats how miserable he is saying thing such as, "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" (5.5.23-28), and "I 'gin to be aweary of the sun, and wish th' estate o' th' world were now undone" (5.5.49-50). This is showing how he never should have tried to change nature and destiny and tells the reader that one should just live their life and let things play out as they should instead of constantly trying to make them happen a certain way.

Macbeth LRJ #5

Natalie Mironov
Ms. Peifer
English 10 IB, Hr 4
3 March 2009

Macbeth: Act 5

The themes in the final act of "Macbeth" are much the same as those of other acts being about death, guilt, pride, and power. Since becoming king Macbeth has become cruel and arrogant and has abused the power he has. He murdered innocent people as well as inflicting undeserved punishment just to show his greatness. An example of this is when the messenger came to warn him of the moving forest and he says, "If thou speak'st false, upon the next ree shall thou hang alive" (5.5.44-45). This is showing that Macbeth thinks down upon others and even though this messenger just wants to help him out it would be a good chance for him to show off his power so others do not think to mess with him. Along with this, Macbeth is also a very proud man because even with everything he has gone through he never backs down. He says, "I will not yield to kiss the ground before young Malcolm's feet" (5.8.32-33). Pride is also prevalant among others charactersm, for example Siward. When he thinks Macduff has died while fighting Macbeth he states, "Had I as many sons as I have hairs, I would not wish them to a fairer death" (5.8.56-57). This means that he thinks bringing down such an awful tyrant is such an honorable deed that dying in the act of it is a very honorable and respectable death.

Another thing that continues into act five is the image of blood. Blood continues to represent death and guilt. Lady Macbeth sepecially uses the image of blood to show her feelings about the murders she took part in. She says, "The Thane of Fife had a wife. Where is she now? What, will these hands ne'er be clean? No more o' that, my lore, no more o' that" (5.1.44-46). This shows her feelings on the death of Macduff's wife because she was innocent and wasn't part of any of the plots to take the crown away from Macbeth. Lady Macbeth feels these murders are getting out of hand now that wives and children, like herself, are being killed. Another instance where she mentions blood to symbolize how guilty she feels is when she says, "Here's the smell of the blood still. All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand" (5.1.53-55). By this, Lady Macbeth is saying how awful these murders are and there is nothing in the world that can make better these awful acts.

Macbeth LRJ #4

Natalie Mironov
Ms. Peifer
English 10 IB, Hr 4
3 March 2009

Macbeth: Act 4

The purpose of the scene with Lady Macduff in it is to give the characters depth and help the reader feel like they know Lady Macduff and her children. The reader is able to feel her pain when she says, "Wisdom? To leave his wife, to leave his babes, his mansion and his titles in a place from whence himself does fly? He loves us not" (4.2.8-10). The reader also is able to see the strong bond between mother and son because they are able to joke about Macduff being gone. She tells him that she can "buy me twenty at any market" (4.2.47-48). Through these conversations the reader feels a connection to the characters which makes them feel Macduff's pain when they are murdered.

By Macduff's actions during this time, the reader learns of his selfish fear. Malcolm even asks him "why in that rawness left you wife and child, those precious motives, those strong knots of love, without leave-taking?" (4.3.33-35). This is showing how strong his fear for himself and his life must have been that he fled so fast he left his wife and kids behind with such a terrible murderer running the country. When he left he decided he would find Malcolm and convince him to come back and claim his title of king. Doing this and leaving his family behind shows how Macduff valued his country over his family. Malcolm definitely doesn't approve of this priority because Macduff says, "I would not be the villain that thou think'st for the whole space that's in the tyrant's grasp, and the rich East to boot" (4.3.44-46). This shows how strongly Malcolm thinks what Macduff did is wrong because Macduff said even if he were offered all of Macbeth's kingdom and the riches in the East, he still wouldn't be the villain that Malcolm considers him to be.

Macbeth has changed because at the beginning of the play he was a gentle man with a big conscience who felt guilty about doing any evil deeds. In act four of the play all those characteristics are gone and he has become greedy and evil. He now wants everything his way and will do whatever it takes to get it. He tells the witches, "Of nature's germens tumble all together even till destruction sicken, answer me to what I ask you" (4.1.62-64). He is basically telling the witches that he doesn't care what they have to go through to do it, they must tell him everything he wants to know. He then threatens them saying "I will be satisfied. Deny me this, and an eternal curse fall on you!" (4.1.119-120). These show his greedy nature. At this point Macbeth is also very evil. While he initially felt extremely guilty about the murder of Duncan now he has planned and had committed the murder of Banquo and is planning that of Macduff's family. He tells Lennox, "Seize upon Fife, give to the' edge o' th' sword his wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls that trace him in his line" (4.1.172-174). This shows how cruel he has become to assure that nobody steals his power.

Macbeth LRJ #3

Natalie Mironov
Ms. Peifer
English 10 IB, Hr 4
2 March 2009

Macbeth: Act 3

In this act, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth qualities begin to switch. Before, Lady Macbeth had been the strong, savage, decision-making one of them and Macbeth was the sorrowful, remorseful one, but now they are beginning to switch roles. While before he felt guilty about murdering Duncan, now he is planning another murder, that of his friend Duncan. He says that he could "with barefaced power sweep him from my sight and bid my will avouch it, yet I must not, for certain friends that are both his and mine" (3.1.135-137). This is Macbeth saying that he would kill Banquo himself if it weren't for the friends they share that he cannot lose. It shows how Macbeth is becoming the cruel one who will do anything for power. This is how Lady Macbeth used to be but now the reader hears her say that "'tis safer to be that which we destroy than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy" (3.2.8-9). This shows how she is beginning to realize what she has done and that it is wrong. Also, Macbeth used to be the follower who was forced into these kind of plots by Lady Macbeth but in this act he plans the murder of Banquo himself and tells Lady Macbeth to "be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck, till thou applaud the deed" (3.2.51-52). This shows how now he doesn't even want her to be a part of these awful schemes and he can do them himself.

Throughout this act there are many refernces to blood. It is used as a symbol of guilt. When Macbeth is trying to blame Malcolm and Donalbain for the death of Duncan he says, "We hear our bloody cousins are bestowed in England and in Ireland, not confessing their cruel parricide" (3.1.33-35). This is Macbeth trying to make them sound guilty so nobody is suspicious of him. Another example is when Macbeth tells the murderer that "there's blood upon thy face" (3.4.13-14), meaning that he now has the murder of Banquo on his conscience. Macbeth once more uses blood to represent his guilt saying, "I am in blood stepped in so far that, should I wade no more, returning were as tedious as go o'er" (3.4.168-170). This means that he has committed so many murders that even if he did stop it would be just as hard for him return to his normal life because of all the guilt he has.

An important theme is fear and paranoia. After having committed the murders of Duncan and Banquo, Macbeth is very paranoid of other people finding out and coming after him. He is so fearful of people finding out and coming after him that he tries to blame others, like when he tells everyone Malcolm and Donalbain have fled. He says, "We hear our bloody cousins are bestowed in England and in Ireland, not confessing their cruel parricide" (3.1.33-35). This shows how determined he is to blame others so there will be no suspicions on him, that he is blaming the very sons of the dead king for his death. Macbeth is also very paranoid that Banquo will come after him because he heard the prophecy also and is already suspicious of Macbeth for the death of Duncan. He states that Banquo is in "such bloody distance that every minute of his bein thrusts against my near'st of life" (3.1.132-134). This is showing how afraid Macbeth is that Banquo will come after him, especially since Banquo's sons are prophesied to be king. This makes Macbeth afread of all of them and wants them all killed.

Macbeth LRJ #2

Natalie Mironov
Ms. Peifer
English 10 IB, Hr 4
2 March 2009

Macbeth: Act 2

Throughout act two, more negative qualities of Macbeth have become known, such as his inability to speak up for himself. He ended up murdering Duncan even though he knew it wasn't right. Afterwards he was regretful saying, "I am afraid to think what I have done" (2.2.66) and "Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood from my hand? No, is my hand will rather the multitudinous seas incarnadine, making the green one red" (2.2.78-81). These show how much remorse he has and how even though he has done this dreadful act he still has a conscious, one of his positive attributes.

Lady Macbeth on the other hand is much more outspoken and harsh. She is unsympathetic to Macbeth's worries and is determined to carry out the murder to achieve power. While Macbeth is busy feeling guilty, it seems Lady Macbeth has no conscious at all because she says, "A little water clears us of this deed" (2.2.86), meaning all the guilt will disappear in no time. She is also very deceitful because she pretends to be sleeping and faint when the murder is announced to everyone. She tells Macbeth to "get on your nightgown, lest occasion call us and show us to be watchers" (2.2.90-91). For just a moment during act two the reader is able to see a more gentle and vulnerable side of Lady Macbeth. She tells the reader that "had he not resembled my father as he slept, I had done 't" (2.2.16-17). This shows that Lady Macbeth is still able to love and feels for others besides herself.

In this act sleep is used to represent suspicion and guilt. Banquo talks of sleep many times and uses it to show that he is suspicious of Macbeth. First he just speaks of it more generally, saying, "A heavy summons lies like lead upon me, and yet I would not sleep" (2.1.8-9). This is showing that he thinks something is going to happen but he's not sure of what. Later, he goes on to ask Macbeth, "What, sir, not yet at rest? The King's abed" (2.1.15) and also tells him, "I dreamt last night of the three Weird Sisters" (2.1.25). This shows that Banquo is connecting some of this initial suspicion to Macbeth because he had a dream about the Weird Sisters who told Macbeth the prophecy. What also adds to this is that Macbeth is still awake, long after the king and this is unsettling to Banquo. Sleep is also used to symbolize guilt. Macbeth connects sleep with the guilt he has for murdering Duncan. He says, "Methought I heard a voice cry 'Sleep no more! Macbeth does murder sleep' - the innocent sleep" (2.2.47-48). This demonstrates how Macbeth connects sleep to innocence and the murder he has committed to an innocent person so he feels especially guilty.