Monday, June 8, 2009

Usama's Links

The three links I chose for Banquo are all that would be general interest to him. If he were alive today, he would have frequently visited these sites, because they reflect his true passion, and general interest which is the country of Scotland and the Scottish army.



The first link I chose was a link to the Scotland national website. I chose this link because as we learn from the play, Banquo is quite a patriotic person. So if Banquo were alive today, he would definetely be visiting Scotland's official website to get the latest information on his beloved country, Scotland.
http://www.scotland.org/



The second link I chose was a link to the Military of Scotland page on Wikipedia. As we know, Banquo is a military man himself and is truly passionate about the Scottish army. He put his life on the line to protect Scotland from the invading Norwegians. This website contains background information, history of wars, and the military capabilites of the Scots. If Banquo were alive, I am sure he would have frequented this site as it contains information on all that Banquo holds dear to him, the Scottish army.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_of_Scotland

The third link I chose was a link to a non-profit organization that helps wounded war veterans in Scotland. The organization is called "Combat Stress" and their main objective is to provide care and treatment to war veterans. Banquo himself was a military man, and he was also passionate about helping others. This would be the perfect site for Banquo, because by donating he can help military men like himself survive the struggles that come with being in a brutal war like the war in Afghanistan.
http://www.combatstress.org.uk/

Friday, June 5, 2009

Journal Entry #4 [Shak]





The tyrant’s death bell has rung!

Dearest Journal,

My soul rests in peace. I am in heaven right now and thanks to the overseeing crystal ball I have the abilities to see what is happening in Scotland. My ghostly approach at the banquet scared Macbeth out of his luxurious trousers. But that was not enough to satisfy my rage and fury. First he mercilessly killed the honourable King, then me (once being his ally), and lastly the pitiful Lady Macduff and her babes. I knew that Macbeth will play’dst most foully to attain all the prophecies the three weird sisters had promised him. I was pleased when I caught a glimpse of Birnam Wood advancing to Dunisnane castle. The English power has done the right thing of challenging Macbeth in order to restore Scotland’s pride. I knew Macbeth had no chance against the English forces lead by Malcolm, Macduff, and Siward, especially after the point when his people ditched him and fought on the other side. I am glad that I had died and that Fleance had escaped. Even if I was alive I would’ve been haunted by the thoughts of the prophecy, awaking me night after night, restricting me from living as my casual self. I would have also had conflicts with Macbeth, the rivalry between us would have caused fights, arguments, and other problems. Oh the horror, just thinking about it sends shivers down my transparent body. From this day on, Scotland will be ruled by the most loyal kings. Hope that at least my prophecy is fulfilled, with my sons taking their roles as valuable kings . I am sure Macbeth is down his way to hell, where the demons and devils meet him to teach him his valuable lesson. Oh wait, there’s an entry to hell past the borderline in heaven. Not so sure if I’m allowed but if I was I would go up to him and show him what he got for his cruel deeds. I would recall all his mistakes and make him cry about his loopholes in life. Hope he understands how it feels like to get killed, and also to enter a place where you will not enjoy your after-life. Most of my loved ones are here at heaven, our paradise, but the one who selfishly cared about his prophecy and didn’t care less about his friends must be tortured! By the way, the crystal ball showed Lady Macbeth suiciding. I was curious all this time whether she was involved in Macbeth's crimes. Maybe a search in heaven and hell will provide the answer for my question. I will leave now and meet up with my friends, hope to write more things soon.


Banquo.







This song is called "Will you meet me in heaven?" composed by John Cash. He died on September 12, 2003, leaving us memories of his golden compositions. This song mentions the trip to your after-life, outlining the depths of heaven's attributes and features. I felt this relates to Banquo, and how he is making posts in heaven. Josh Cash seemed like he composed this song in heaven, knowing how it looks and feels like to be in a world of paradise.

Journal Entry #3 [Sajeethan]


Ah! The white lights, that chivalrously greeted me to heaven’s entrance. I thank you kind lights, for your beauty was the only thing that made this poor soul smile.



Dearest Journal,

I write to you from the paradise above, for my life has been taken. Who would have thought my once loyal companion, who fought beside me to prevail over the Norwegian invaders, would be the one to so selfishly rip my life away? Aye, Macbeth, that coward. He sends murderers to kill me. He doth not even craft his own self in his mischievous plans. Haply he thought he was no match for me. Alack! If only I were there, it’d be him blanketed in woe and protesting about his own betrayal.

I shall thank the spirits and the holy lord for my dear Fleance’s clever escape. Ah, it is merely that which will comfort me. Knowing that there is a threat to Macbeth’s fallacious prophecies will give me assurance of his anticipated downfall!

Alas, it was his banquet that I did attend last night. How dare he host such an extravagant feast knowing that his hands were dripping in my blood of innocence? Wherefore is he tranquil? Aha! Marry; I made it my honourable duty to change just that. I perched up onto his chair and watched as he returned to the royal table. Poor Macbeth was so frightened. He made such a fool of himself as he shrieked at me, for I was only visible to his eyes. The lords sat there noble and petrified. Leave it to Lady Macbeth to assist him, once again deceivingly conjuring up more lies to cover his flaws. Was his guilt doing some justice? Let this be a caution for him. To dispatch me and King Duncan is nothing to go excused with.

Let that tyrant dig his hole deeper till he cannot get out.


Adieu,


Banquo






Ohh...one of my favourite songs! Reminds me of poor Macbeth. How we were so close...his selfish ambitions got the best of his poor, weak soul. His love for me was truly a lie....Fie! For he loved the title of King more than our brotherly friendship! Thus...my untimely murder.

Journal Entry #2 [Koby]



My dear Fleance: ah, it feels like only yesterday that we were together here. We have spent a fair amount of time together in this here picture, until those bloody murderers came in...

Dearest Journal,

Well now...this place is not that bad. Where I have been sent is the heaven that I hath dreamed of on Earth. How unfortunate, my dear Fleance can not be with me right now. Oh, how I miss my loved son. But it is fortunate that he hath 'scaped in time before those wretched murderers could cut his neck like they did to mine own. Prithee thee, their bloody daggers hath that same foul stench as that scoundrel Macbeth's ambitious intents. Hark! I would have known. The ultimate consequence for the caution I had ignored. I know now, that treacherous man was up to no good as he hath questioned every aspect of where I had hence. He hath planned something due to my excessive knowledge which he did fear. It was avoidable, but I regretfully had trust in him. Hah...I laugh to this day thinking about my promise I had made to him that evening. "My lord, I will not". Missed that feast I had not, my "majesty". Even after death, I had gone to fulfill my promise. But of course, he hath been expecting nothing of the sort. This story of my death can never be told without the part of my posthumus ghost haunting Macbeth. I had appeared only in his imagination and even had him say "Take any shape but that, and my firm nerves shall never tremble." What more can I ask for in taking revenge towards my false comrade? I pray to see Fleance in good health and live a fair life, while I expect to see Macbeth up here soon...or maybe he won't come up here...




This video is very interesting in the ghastly image it gives, for that is why I think it is suited to my liking. The way the man turns into a zombie and frightens the girl is much like how I appeared as a ghost to Macbeth. It has an eerie feeling to it.

...A talented man he is, with a fair bit of dancing skill.

Journal Entry # 1 [Usama]

Ah ! An image from our encounter with the three wicked witches. Oh, just seeing this image brings the chills down my spine. What a horrid, and grotesque site.

Dearest Journal,

Today Macbeth and I defeated the Norwegian scoundrels. I have to admit, it was a tough battle. We were outnumbered, but we managed to survive. Along with fellow soldiers, Macbeth, and I, managed to slice through the strong Norwegian army, defeating them all by using our swordsmanship to slice each from the nave to the chops. It was our right; we had to protect the honour of our noble land and King Duncan. This great victory comes with some bad news; many of our innocent and brave Scottish soldiers have paid the ultimate price for peace. May their souls rest in peace.

After the battle was won, Macbeth and I were walking along the heath when we suddenly saw the most grotesque sight. As we got closer, I realised they resembled old women. They were short, longhaired, and had greasy, wrinkled skin. The witches greeted Macbeth with the title “Thane of Glamis”, and to our astonishment, with the title of “Thane of Cawdor” and “King soon to be”. I do not know how Macbeth could be either of those two titles when both men are still alive. The hags also mentioned that I would father a line of kings. Before I could question them further, they perished into thin air.

As we continued, Ross approached us and titled Macbeth Thane of Cawdor. The previous Thane of Cawdor had betrayed the kingdom, and paid the price. The question now is, how had those witches known? If this is true, does this mean Macbeth shall soon become King? If so, what will happen to King Duncan and his sons? Does this mean my prophecy too will be fufilled? So many questions with no answers provided. I am thinking nothing of these prophecies, but I think this might not be the case for ol’ Macbeth. I have my suspicions that Macbeth will end up in much trouble due to these hags.
Well, it’s time to get back on the road. The king should be expecting our arrival before the night falls. As soon as I figure all this out, I shall return to write more.

Yours,
Banquo

This music video is by Medwyn Goodall. The music sounds very creepy and haunting at the same time. When I had met those hags, my heart stopped, and music similar to this one played in my head. This song brings back the memory of those three evil sisters, the tune of this song is as dark and trembling as those three.