Netflix Blog Post

Character: Macbeth 

Recommendation #1- How to Get Away with Murder
This show is about a group of teenagers who gets involved in a murder, and they must prove that they are innocent. Along the way, they are trying to prove that they are not bad people and do not deserve the downfall. Macbeth would like this show because he is also trying to hide his guilt and murder from his citizens. However, Macbeth is finally slain by Macduff when he is not able to keep his sanity.

Recommendation #2- Breaking Bad
In this Netflix TV show, Walter White is a just a normal man who teaches Chemistry at a high school in Arizona. However, he is diagnosed with Lung Cancer and not very much time to live. He begins to "break bad" and starts to sell Meth as a means of profit. He also kills many people, while spiraling down into a trap of lies with his wife. Macbeth would watch this show because he too, like Walter, was a normal man. However, when he hears the prophecy, like the diagnoses of Walter, he starts to commit horrible actions. At the same time he is killing, he starts to live a life of disguise from his family. Finally, both of the characters have a tragic ending that results in death.

Recommendation #3- 300
In this movie, the main character is a lord with a lot of power. However, he realizes that he has an enemy who is trying to steal power from him. To retaliate, he builds up an army under his rank and kills basically everything in his path to stay in power. This movie would be watched by Macbeth because once Macbeth takes power, he kills repeatedly to keep his power. He feels threatened by Banquo and Fleance, thus he hires the murderers to take them out. This exact situation can be seen in the movie because Macbeth is willing kill anyone who threatens his total power.

Recommendation #4- Downfall
This movie is set in 1945, in the Furherbunker of Nazi occupied Berlin. In this movie, the main character portrays Hitler as he learns the fate of the Nazi Army. At the end of the movie, he sees his power slip from his grip as he decides to commit suicide. This movie would be watched by Macbeth because Macbeth can relate to Hitler in the theme of power. Both of them committed horrible actions to achieve power and they do anything in their power to keep total control. In the end, they are both weary of the future and understand that they are losing power everyday. Finally, in the end of both movies the central characters, Macbeth and Hitler, have tragic deaths. Thus, they lose all of the power that they took corruptly.

IB Blog Post #6

1. Why do people who are not "evil" take the first step into evil? What, for instance, is involved in taking that first step "down the primrose path to the everlasting bonfire" (Macbeth, 2.3)? What are the consequences of the individual choosing evil (particularly the internal consequences)? Use examples from the text to support your opinion.

In order to an effectively answer this question, an accurate definition of evil is needed. Evil is defined as profoundly immoral or malevolent, with regards to ones actions or thoughts.  In almost all cases of true evil, a good person has a 'trigger' or a 'spark' that ignites them into committing horrible actions and thus, labeling them as evil. This trigger is something that has either occurred directly to them or in response to an event or opportunity. In the play, Macbeth is an upper class war hero who is understood to be a normal man of respect in his timer period. However, Macbeth meets three witches, that belong to a supernatural force in the beginning of the play. The witches tell Macbeth about his prophecy, where they state that he will be Thane of Cawdor and thereafter the King. This specific prophecy is the trigger to Macbeths evil decline or his lust for ultimate power. An example of the witches prophecy can be seen in the play, "All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be King hereafter" (Macbeth 11).  This example simply proves the notion that the prophecy is determining Macbeth to be King in the future. After hearing his prophecy, a trigger was immediately set off in Macbeths brain. He hears a title too prestigious to pass up and his conscious must pursue this opportunity 

As stated above, Macbeth's trigger is hearing the prophecy that gives him an opportunity to advance into a prestigious role in society. At this point in the play, Macbeth is willing to commit any crime or action to make the prophecy come true. Thus, he kills Duncan and the guards and he hires assassins to kill Banquo and his son. Macbeth also is responsible for the murder of Lady Macbeth and her son. Specifically in the murder of Banquo, Macbeth is willing to have his absolute best friend murdered to obtain total power. An example of this is in the text states, " Our fears in Banquo, Stick deep, and in his royalty of nature Reigns that which would be fear'd" (Macbeth 51). Macbeth is talking to the assassins and he tells them that Banquo must be put down because he is a challenge to the crown. These atrocious actions are considered immoral or malevolent, thus Macbeth has been transformed into an evil person. This cycle of a trigger leading to horrible actions, turns a person from normal to pure evil. This cycle can be applied to almost all people who turn evil in the world. For instance, one of the most evil people in history is Adolf Hitler. Hitler was responsible for the genocide of over 6 Million Jews during his tenure. Hitler's trigger occurred on the streets of Austria, where he was homeless. However, he recalls seeing Jewish people prosper around him, while he was homeless. This past event in his life caused him to be a man of hatred and evil, leading him to commit horrible actions, and allowing him to stay in power. 

Choosing evil always leads to the inevitable, a decline in power or death. In the case of Hitler, committed suicide after his actions caught up to him. More importantly, in Macbeth, he is slain by Macbeth and loses all power. In the text it states, "Re-enter Macduff, with Macbeth's head" (Macbeth 118). This example just shows that Macbeth was killed, losing everything that he strived for; by committing horrible actions. In conclusion, evil can be depicted in a cycle where a person has a trauma or spark that ignites them into turning evil, and then they decline.

#IBmakingart

 

Artist: Peter Paul Rubens

Title: The Conversion of St. Paul

Date: 1610

Medium: Oil on Panel

Size: Height (95.2 cm) Width (120.7 cm)

This painting was created in the early 17^th century, in a location near modern day Poland/Germany. The author was famous in this time period for painting several Christian themed paintings from the time period of 1608-1625. In the context of this time period, it is evident that the Catholic church was undergoing several changes because of the protestant movement. During this time period, King James I of England was in the prime of his tenure, with many of his anti-Catholic rhetoric occurring when this painting was made. It is critical for the context to understand that the early 17^th century was a very divisive time period in terms of Catholicism, as the painting is clearly religious based. 

The “Little Picture” idea of this painting is easy to understand when just viewing the picture. It becomes evident that God is up in the heavens and reaching his arm down to salvation. There is a man who appears to be dying in the center of the painting with other men trying to help him live. Also, it is significant to note that there are many horses in the painting and men riding the horses. The painting also portrays many people below God. All of the people are moving around and look to be uncertain about what is going on.

The style of the painting plays a big role in developing the theme because of the color scheme and structure. The most paramount color scheme to take note of is the bright colorful light of God in the heavens. God is wearing a bright red robe, clearing trying to draw notice to him at the top. Also, there is a bright light that contrasts to the dull colors of the people in the bottom of the picture. The clouds are also a dark grey color, and the light of God is pouring through them. The texture of the painting refers to the combination of how the painting looks and the heavy build up paint to convey importance. In this painting, the texture is very rough in the center, with a lot of buildup of dull colors around the people in society. The painting appears to be very busy in the bottom with lots of people frantically moving around, with nothing going on in the middle left/right; just background like the trees and sky. However, the painting does get ‘busy’ again at the very top with God and angels appearing brightly in the sky.

This painting can be critically analyzed to form a very salient message that appears to coincide with a very important social issue going on in the 17^th century. Stated above in the context; the battle between Catholicism and Protestantism is one of the biggest social/religious complications is being engaged in this painting. The painter clearly used a distinct color scheme to portray God as the ultimate savior as he is in a bright red robe, with a bright light of religious power shining on the dull colors of the subjects below. All of the horses are running rampant and the subjects seem to be distorted around the God appearing above them. The fundamental message that the painter is conveying is that people are losing track of God in their lives and fading farther away from him as they engage in Protestant ideological beliefs. An additional theme that can be identified is the dying man in the bottom of the picture, it is not clear if this man is Jesus Christ or a man of religious importance, but he seems to draw a lot of attention from other people trying to help him. A conclusion that I reached was that the people helping him are followers of Catholicism and the others are fluttered because they have been straying away from God. The clues that lead me to this conclusion is that they are also depicted in a very bright/colorful color, whereas the other people are dulled out or not as focused on. Lastly, I think that this painting could have a very impactful meaning on today’s society due to the fact that one of the central themes is based on the issue of drifting away from God. In the 21^st century, religion is not a key aspect in many people’s lives, whereas this time period religion was essentially connected to all features of life.  

Jane Eyre

Question #2

In the text, it becomes evident there is a central idea focusing around the marginalization or silencing of the girls in the school. In context, the girls in the school are essentially required to have straight hair, that does not stand out. The principle, a male, happens to notice Julia, a new girl in the class who has her hair curled all over; unlike the rest of the class. This small and insignificant detail happens to be the factor that contributes to her getting punished by the principle.

The girls are all being silenced because of the fact that they cannot control how they wish to portray themselves, regardless of style or personal choice. Their choices are being controlled by the principle who makes it clear that following his strict rules is the only option. A phrase from the text helps depict this cruel marginalization, "She [Julia] possesses the ordinary form of childhood; God has graciously given her the shape that he has given to all of us; no signal deformity points her out as a marked character" (Paragraph 47). This example is paramount to the central idea of the text because the principle is stating his justification for calling her out in front of the class. He is embarrassing her and using fearmongering to force her to apply to the rules; no personal characterization. The principle and the school system in general, is silencing the girls right to choice and personal opinion. All of the girls are being portrayed as equal, and they are not allowed to stand out in any way from each other. Overall, the central idea of the text is that the girls are being silenced and controlled by a male dominant principle, who uses fearmongering to make the girls apply to his rules. The significance of marginalization of the girls to make them feel inferior is a critical part of the text.

Blog Post #3

Author- Dos Equis 

Date- October 25th, 2016

Place of Publication- Dos Equis Commercial/Website

Little Picture- This advertisement was first aired in 2006 as a campaign for the "most interesting man in the world". In the ad, there is an older man; most likely in 50's with a grey beard. The picture also includes the logo of Dos Equis with two bright red X's. There is a catchy slogan, "Stay thirsty my friends" captioned in white letters that is said by the most interesting man in commercials. It is also important to note that it is a common stereotype in the United States to link beer with casual social outings, but this picture relates it to a more fancy/dressed event. Overall, it is evident that the man is promoting the alcoholic beverage and the company has it's logo, with a catchy slogan, printed in white letters to inform the audience.

Big Picture- This Dos Equis advertisement is an example of gluttony because it promotes the consumption of alcohol. The slogan is key in this big picture analysis; it encourages the audience to stay thirsty so that they can purchase more of the drink. This is a great example of excessive drinking, specifically beer. Also, the actor is dressed in a very nice suit, thus indicating that the beer is of high quality and most likely for those in a higher class. Another key attribute of the advertisement is the use of Spanish, "Cerveza" and "Dos Equis", indicate that the beer is made a Spanish made brewery. Lastly, Gluttony can be related to the Canterbury Tale's through the Miller, because he is a drunk. 

Audience- The audience is becomes evident through this advertisement, in the way it is laid out. Most importantly, it is only speaking to those who are able to drink, in the United States that is people above 21 years of age. Also, this specific beer brand is Spanish, so those interested in a Spanish made beer are more likely to be persuaded. The man in the picture is most likely above the age of 50, which would appeal to people of an older age. The social and economic background that is targeted by this advertisement would include people of a higher class because of the way the man is dressed.  In terms of social class, it would be more appropriate at an event of high class or fanciness, rather than a casual event or party. The audience must have some cultural knowledge in regards to the taste of the beer or the type. This being a Spanish/Hispanic brewery and the taste also applies to this context as well.

FREEBIE

Blog #1

This a photograph found in the Homelessness collection by Wing Young Huie copyright taken in 1982 (http://www.wingyounghuie.com/allprojects). This picture is of a middle aged black male and a female who appear to be homeless in the early 1980's. Both citizens are most likely in front of a grocery store because of the shopping carts pictured around them. The male is dressed fairly nicely, yet he is holding a bowl which symbolizes him begging for money. In a deeper context, the picture alludes to the inequality that minorities experience in America. This is due to the man wearing a nice suit like he is prepared for a job interview, but he cannot find work. It is not very common to find a homeless person dressed in a nice suit which must symbolize this inequality. 

The term "othering" refers to the societal labeling of a person as either one thing or not. For example, the two people pictured would be stereotyped as homeless in America. From a US citizens perspective, these two people are either homeless, or they are not homeless. There is no grey zone or in between, either they are poor homeless people or they are simply not such. This is due to the labeling of society that people are constantly considered to be in one group or in another. In comparison, The Handmaid's Tail by Margaret Atwood uses "othering" to keep society in its 'natural' order. In this novel, Offred is a handmaid and to her, the people are either other handmaids or they are not. In both the photograph and the novel, bias is present to convey the theme of "othering". The device of stereotyping is used in both of these because it is a common ideology of most people. For instance, a wealthy man walking down the street seeing these two people will automatically stereotype and assume they are homeless, most likely because they are drug addicts. Stereotyping is also seen in the novel, because the government judges women and assumes they are not worthy of having many simple freedoms. In conclusion, both the novel and the photograph convey the theme of "othering" and allow the reader to stereotype the situation.