Category: Writing

Scene 1

Macduff has left for England, leaving behind his wife and son, alone in the mansion. They pronounce him a traitor and say that he is dead, despite his sons protests. They talk a bit about how the traitor should be hanged. Macduffs wife is happy to go out and get another husband as she says it will be easy, with 20 waiting at the market. Rosse comes over to talk, warning them, then leaving. A messenger does the same thing, telling them to go and then also leaves. Finally, two murderers come in and kill Macduffs son. His wife escapes with the murderers chasing after her. It is unconfirmed whether she is dead or not. They didn’t find MacDuff there, meaning he could still be alive and still be on Macbeth’s hit list. With both him and his wife alive, the number of people who could oppose Macbeth grows. Their numbers might grow but there isn’t much they can do as Macbeth is immortal.

Scene 3

In this scene we meet Malcolm and Macduff in England. Malcolm is telling Macduff that he would be a worse king than Macbeth, saying his many vices would put Scotland in an even worse position. After convincing Macduff that this is true, Macduff cries out “O Scotland. Scotland”. He cares more about his country than the person who leads it. His loyalty is not to Macbeth but to Scotland. This is what Malcolm was testing for, revealing that all that about his vices was a lie to find out where Macduffs loyalties were. Then we learn that the King of England has offered up 10,000 men to go to fight Macbeth. Rosse then enters the scene and further describes how Scotland has turned to shit. He also lies about Macduffs wife and children, saying they are well. A few moments later he comes clean, saying they are all dead. Macduff is angry and wants revenge, saying that it is the only medicine. This ties in with what the witches told Macbeth, to beware of Macduff. Once again, it is Macbeth who chose to murder his family, therefore making Macduff get angry. So far, the witches predictions only come true because Macbeth chose to act on them. If he hadn’t killed Macduffs family, Macduff wouldn’t be as angry.

Scene 1

Duncan is dead and Macbeth is now king. The only person he fear is Banquo who might suspect him for murder. Banquo rides off that night to only return for supper. He takes his son. Macbeth makes sure he is alone before inviting in two murderers who he tells that Banquo is responsible for all of their misgivings. He says that he will give them all that they want if they kill Banquo for him. Nobody is allowed to know of Macbeth’s involvement. He also wants Fleance dead, Banquos son. This is an attempt to contradict the prophecy. It could also result in Macbeth being found out and his involvement at all could be his undoing.

Scene 2

Lady Macbeth calls Macbeth (now the king) to talk. Before he arrives, she tells the audience that she is doubtful that what they have done is not that beneficial, the same fears that Macbeth has been having. Except, when Macbeth gets there she tells him to stop worrying and get himself together. Although they wont admit it, they are finally on the same page. Macbeth tells her that their worries will be over tonight as he has a plan to get rid of Banquo, but he doesn’t tell her what the plan is.

Scene 3

Here we see Macbeth’s plan in motion, all the murderers waiting along a path. There is a third murderer who has been hired by Macbeth. They discuss this for a bit before deciding that it doesn’t matter and that they should get on with it. Banquo and his son make their way down the path, getting off the horses so they can walk. The murderers greet them and they don’t suspect anything, greeting them back. The murderers then advance and kill Banquo but Fleance manages to escape. This is bad as they were supposed to get rid of both. This could also mean that the Witches prediction could still happen. It could mean that Macbeth’s involvement is the whole reason that Fleance could be king. The Witches knew the future and set Macbeth along that path by telling him the future. In choosing to act upon it, Macbeth fixed his own fate.

Scene 4

MACBETH

You know your own ranks; so you know where to sit; Sit down

And I bid you a hearty welcome.

Lords

Thanks, your majesty.

MACBETH

We will mingle with everyone,

And I will play the humble host.

Our hostess will stay seated, but soon

She will welcome you all.

LADY MACBETH

Sir, welcome our friends warmly please

First Murderer appears at the door

MACBETH

See, they encounter them with their hearts’ thanks.

The table is full on both sides, I will sit in the middle

Be happy and soon we will toast around the table

Approaching the door

You have blood on your face.

First Murderer

It’s Banqous.

MACBETH

Better to have his blood on your face than for Banquo to have it in his veins.

Is he dead?

First Murderer

My Lord, I cut his throat.

MACBETH

You are the best at cutting throats yet he’s good

Who cut the throat of Fleance if you didn’t 

But if you did you are the best

First Murderer

Most royal sir,

Fleance escaped.

MACBETH

Then Once again I get angry. If Fleance was dead my problems would be over.

I would be happy again with no worries.

Instead I am still full of worry and trapped by my own mind.

But Banquo’s body is safe and hidden?

First Murderer

Ay, my good lord; he is dead in a ditch

With heaps of cuts on his head

Although just one would have easily killed him.

MACBETH

Thanks for that:

While Banquo is dead, his son still lives.

But in time, his son will grow up to be just as dangerous.

Now go away, we will talk tomorrow.

Exit Murderer

LADY MACBETH

My royal lord, 

We need to make this a fun dinner party, 

Why would you invite people over if they are not entertained. 

They might as well eat at home

MACBETH

Sweet remembrancer!

Now, good digestion wait on appetite,

And health on both!

LENNOX

Take a seat, your highness.

The GHOST OF BANQUO enters, and sits in MACBETH’s place

MACBETH

We would have had all our nobility under one roof if Banquo were here

I hope that he is late because of rudeness and not that anything bad has happened to him. 

ROSS

He’s absence, sir, lays blame on his promise. Please sit your highness grace us with your royal company 

MACBETH

The table’s full.

LENNOX

There is an empty seat right here sir….

MACBETH

Where?

LENNOX

Right here, Macbeth. Why aren’t you sitting??

MACBETH

Which of you have done this?

Lords

Done What, my good lord?

MACBETH

You can’t say I did it: don’t shake your bloody head at me

ROSS

Gentlemen, stand his highness is not well

LADY MACBETH

Sit worthy friends, my lord is often like this, he has been since he was young, please stay seated. It will pass in a moment, he will be well again. He will be offended if you pay too much attention and it will last longer. Don’t acknowledge it and continue with your meal. Be strong

MACBETH

Yes, and a brave one, who dares look at something

That would horrify the devil.

LADY MACBETH

Oh it is not real, you make things up when you’re afraid, like you did with the dagger in the air. Your fear doesn’t even look real, it seems as you are being told a scary story at a winter fire. It is shameful to make such faces when the vision is done, you’ll see it is just a seat.

MACBETH

There, you see it!

Do you?

Ah, what do I care! If the bodies we bury can just come back, then our graves will just be the mouths of the birds that eat them.

GHOST OF BANQUO vanishes

LADY MACBETH

Has your foolishness stopped you from thinking all together?

MACBETH

I saw him, as solidly as I stand here.

LADY MACBETH

shameful

MACBETH

Blood has been shed here now, in the olden time,

Yes, and since murders have been committed

To terrible to hear the times have been,

It used to be that when the brains were bashed out 

They would die and that would be it. 

But now they rise again, with twenty fatal head wounds

And try again to kill us.

That, when the brains were out, the man would die,

And would stay dead, but now they just rise up again.

With twenty mortal murders on their crowns,

And push us from our stools: this is even more strange

Than murder.

LADY MACBETH

My worthy lord,

Your noble friends are missing you.

MACBETH

I forgot about them. 

Don’t be alarmed by me, my most worthy friends,

I have a strange disorder, which no longer

Shocks those that know me well. 

Come let’s drink a toast: love and health to all;

Now I’ll sit down. Give me some wine; fill my cup.

I drink to the general joy of the whole table,

And to our dear friend Banquo, who we miss;

I wish he was here! To all, and him, we drink,

Now everybody drink.

Lords

We know are duties, and we pledge allegiance 

Re-enter GHOST OF BANQUO

MACBETH

Go away!. You are not alive, stop staring at me from your dead eyes.

LADY MACBETH

Think of this as just a bad habit, there is nothing else to it. 

It is only a shame it is spoiling our dinner party 

MACBETH

My nerves would never tremble from any mortal danger,

Bears, wolves, weapons, tigers, -anything!

But even with my sword, I am like a frightened baby girl before this strange thing!

GHOST OF BANQUO vanishes

Phew, it’s gone!

I am a man again. Everythings ok now…..

LADY MACBETH

You have ruined a good dinner, with the most disorder

MACBETH

Was it real?

Can they make the bravest scared?

 You are very strange…

How can you see that thing,

And not tremble in fear!

I am filled with it…

ROSS

What “things”?

LADY MACBETH

I pray to you, don’t ask, he only gets worse, being asked will not have a positive effect. Do not worry about leaving in order of status, instead leave all at once.

.

LENNOX

Good night; I hope King Macbeth gets better….

LADY MACBETH

And good night to you all!

Exeunt all but MACBETH and LADY MACBETH

MACBETH

I will be found out, 

Stones have been known to move and trees to speak;

And people, by many ways, 

have found out the most secret parts of others…. 

What is the time?

LADY MACBETH

It is almost morning, but you can’t tell which is which

MACBETH

Have you realised- we did invite him- but Macduff has not come to this party….

LADY MACBETH

Did you ask him again?

MACBETH

I did notice he did not come, and I will ask him again…..

He’s being very rude!

 I’ll get him tomorrow.

I will also meet again with the witches,

They will prophesy more, I need to know more!

No matter what, they will speak! I’ll do anything for my Kingship.

Now I’ve gone too far, that even if I returned to honour and owned up, 

I would never be free again. I may as well continue on this dark path now,

It will be easier to continue than to own up.

My strange thoughts, they are becoming reality, it will turn me evil!;

I must act quickly before I’m accused.

LADY MACBETH

You will be fine tomorrow, once you get some sleep.

MACBETH

Yeah, lets go to bed…..My weird mood….

It’s caused by my fear, it’s making me evil and nervous!!!

There is worse to come, I’m scared!!

“Knife” Soliloquy

Macbeth always uses a variation language features in his writing, one of the more prominent being personification. “Now o’er the one halfworld Nature seems dead”. This quote talks about how the world feels to Macbeth at that moment. The personification is used to show how the world is seeming asleep or dead. It also expresses how Macbeth is separated from nature, possibly because of the influence of the unnatural Witches. He is not longer a part of the world around him, about to act out on an urge that may not entirely be his own. Before, he asked for the stars to hide their fires. Now, everything seems oblivious to him as he prepares to kill Duncan. It is almost as if he is protected by Natures opposing force, the witches, hiding him from heavens eyes.

Scene 2

In this scene we see both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth after the deed is done. Macbeth is suffering as we see blood on his hands. He reveals that it will take more than water to get rid of the blood, at that he is more likely to infect the water. The blood could be seen as his guilt, something he will live the rest of his life with. Lady Macbeth is the opposite, stating that a little water is all that is needed to wash away the crime. She had to return to the scene to place the knives after Macbeth took them with him. This shows how he is distracted and not at all the hero we started with. The crime and the external forces are already having a massive affect on his well being. If he becomes king then his rule may not be that which he imagines. What he said before about infecting the ocean with his guilt could be talking about how his rule will be bad. Also, Banquo could be a threat to his innocence. He also heard the witches prediction and knows that Macbeth was told he will be king. Unlike Macbeth he has not acted on the information he was given, that his children would be kings. This might indicate that Macbeth is being controlled as he has chosen a much different path to Banquo. Banquo could also be killed as Macbeth doesn’t want any suspicion. Macbeth may end up bring the witches prediction to fruition. In attempting to kill Banquo he will reveal his true self, and with him dead, Banquo’s children will take the mantle of king. By choosing to act, Macbeth could have sealed his own fate.

Scene 4

In this scene we meet MacDuff, Ross and the Old Man talking about the death of the king. They mention how Macbeth killed the supposed murderers. They also talk about how Malcolm and Donalbain left just after Duncan was discovered, putting them under suspicion.

Intro

Texting has evolved to the point where it no longer resembles formal written language or “standard English”, and has more in common with speech. Over many years, the newer generations have developed ways to make text far more efficient and liken to having a real conversation. It its now faster to convey a message and get a reply, with the message being almost instantly passed on to the receiver. Text allows for two people to talk without saying everything and have both still understand the meaning. Without the need to spell everything out, a reply to a text can be much faster than other forms of writing. Also, writing things down quickly has resulted in new words that wouldn’t fit into standard English such as slang to add personality and new meaning. Without the ability to efficiently convey emotion in formal writing, texting has adapted to use things like para-linguistic features such as emojis and written actions. All these things combine to make texting far more like speaking than other forms of written language.

Paragraph 1

Instantaneous messages are one of the many things that sets texting apart from other written language. Sometimes, sending a message getting a reply straight away is necessary. You might be asking an important question or needing a particular bit of information. With a letter or email, time would have to be given up to write a full message. Then the message would have to be delivered where the receiver would also have to take the time to write a full reply. When texting, a quick message will suffice, with the text being sent straight away. When received, the reply will be short but will have all the information as a long email.

Texting being instantaneous is useful for more than just brief messages. It also allows people to have a written conversation in real time without ever having to talk. Being able to send a message on only a matter of seconds, as if you are actually talking to the other person, is extremely useful./ “Do you have WiFi”?/ “At the hotel I do”/ “Did you grind Subway on the plane”? /”No, I watched a movie”/This quick exchange could be mistaken for dialogue from a phone call but is in fact is a group of text messages all sent in a few minutes. It is a great example of how easily texting can be used just like a call or speaking face to face.

Paragraph 2

Omission is another thing that is useful in texting that no other form of writing can accomplish. Much like talking in real life, not every single thing needs to be said. With shared knowledge, experiences and an understanding of the person you can usually understand what they are saying even if they don’t explicitly say it.

“Never heard of him”/ “Search him up then”/ “Its Bailey’s turn”/ “Did you search”?/ In this short exchange, the two people talking have changed the subject halfway through then immediately switched back. The first person says “it’s Baileys turn”, a comment which doesn’t have any relation to what they are originally discussing. This doesn’t cause any problems as the other person knows exactly what they are talking about (an online game that is playing in the background). This isn’t mentioned but it doesn’t have to be as the second person already understands.

It is the same in speech. If something is happening, it doesn’t need to be explained. People are capable of understanding what others are talking about with limited information. The same cannot be said for emails or letters. This is because texts and speech are sent in the present, while an email is something written in the past to be read in the future. If somebody was sent a message that was out of context, it wouldn’t make any sense. In texting this use of omission is very effective at allowing texts to be fast and easy to understand, replicating actual conversation.

Paragraph 3

Slang and sound effects are a very common part of speech that doesn’t translate well into formal written language but is used often in texting. Often while speaking people will use slang or words informally because it is much simpler. The words keen, innit and k are all good examples. These can all be used on their own rather than having to string together a whole sentence. In texting, speed is a priority so coming up with shorter words can make texting more efficient.

When doing an email or formal piece of writing, slang words don’t fit in. It wouldn’t make sense if you put the word “innit” at the end of a sentence, nor would it be any good to reply to an email with simply “k”. In text, none of this formality matters so replying with “k” is fine. Slang is what tends to add personality to speech and using it in text can help identify the person or what they are trying to say. Also, because texting is basically having a conversation through writing, “innit” would fit in as it’s how many people speak.

Sound affects are also common in text messaging and speech. While talking they can help explain or show emotion. Formal writing doesn’t tend to have lots of emotion or personality so sound is never used. In texting, it feels a lot more connected as you you are talking straight to the person. / “you died”/ “reeeeeee”/ This bit of text shows how sound can be used. The sound (“reeeeeee”) is one used often in real life by the person texting. Knowing the person means you know what they are trying to say. Here it is used as comedy as well as showing that they are annoyed. Both slang and sound effects can used in text to enhance its likeness to speech and make it more efficient.

Paragraph 4

Para-linguistic features are almost impossible to put into formal writing but are the obvious next step in the evolution of texting. In real life you can see all the expressions, tone of voice and gestures the person you are talking to makes. This helps with fully expressing yourself and getting your message across. In written language, this is near impossible, having to write out each individual action. Instead, texting has adapted to solve this problem, the solution being emojis, gifs and pictures.

Emojis are a quick way to show emotion (hence the name) and expressions. Commonly used emojis would include the laughing-till-crying face, the heart and the crying emoji. There is a difference however in how these are used in texting and what is actually happening as you text. Usually, the emojis are used to show greatly exaggerated versions of the emotions they are actually feeling. Somebody may use the crying emoji just to say they are sad, or the laughing-till-crying emoji to say something was funny.

People also often associate actions with specific words which emojis just can’t express. Often, quotation marks will be used to write an action. For example, “snap” could be representing snapping fingers to punctuate a particular sentence. All of the expressions and actions only make texting even more like having a real conversation.

Conclusion

As technology from the future becomes the reality, texting continues to evolve to be even more like have a conversation in real time. With all the added features and inventive ways the younger generations adapt to texting, texting is becoming a very efficient way of communication. The ability to talk in real time and the constant but mostly unnoticed use of omission allows us to reply with speed. The slang and sound effects we use also gives our text personality and added meaning. Emojis enable emotion through words and the representation of actions. None of this is possible through formal writing, making text far closer to real life speech.

Guy 1: yeah

Guy 2: ow fanks 4 answering geezer know what I mean

Guy 3: gimme dat, where ya been fool, makin us rinse out our credit leavin messages n that

Guy 2: Mr dawes is well on the warpath with you bruv yeah

Guy 1: coz of da bag n that

Guy 2: wot bag cos you missed the lesson you cheat

Guy 3: gimme dat. Da bag werent a problem, tegsy never metioned it- he bottled it- oi u comin over to mine later to play computer

Guy 1:na man im at home now i got business i gotta run

Guy 3: what business

Guy 1: business that minds its own, im out

Deep in Knockturn alley, one shop stood out from the rest. It had tall, uneven windows full of warm candlelight, making it easily distinguishable from the filth-covered stores around it. Right at the end of the dark and gloomy road, nobody could miss it.

A customer wandering up the street was enraptured by the brightness of the store and walked up to it, ascending the small staircase. He read the sign; Hunting; ‘All your needs for hunting dangerous animals since 1682’. Beside it, a list of creatures, many of which were endangered and illegal to hunt. That aside, they opened the heavy door, its hinges creaking under its weight.

 Inside, the light flickered and shadows danced across the perfectly circular walls. The room had a large domed roof that made the shop seem much bigger than it had from the outside. Several candles floated in the rafters, each one eclipsed by moths. The beams holding up the ceiling were old and withered, bending and spliting with effort. Light somehow didn’t reach up into the top of the dome, making the large space seem tight and enclosed. Looking down, the customer saw brutal images of slain animals depicted on the rug filling most of the room. A smell of old fur and alcohol pressed in on him from all sides, only adding to the claustrophobic feel.

As he walked further into the room, he passed tall, teetering shelves, some covered in books with bloody illustrations, other lined with sharp and deadly objects, its use listed below. A large pair of what looked like scissors were stained with blood, while a tiny axe sat next to it with not a speck of dust on it (clearly cleaned recently), its handle covered in carvings of people and creatures. Each of these had a stamp on the glass case; ‘Enchanted’. Dozens of stuffed animal heads sat on the walls like guardians, their faces unfriendly and staring. Each one was surrounded by small weapons glinting in the firelight.

Moving towards the centre of the shop, the customer was distracted by a display which reached high into the rafters. It presented some glass jars, each one occupied by some rare animal part. Bones and limbs floated like fish in a fishbowl. Peering to get a closer look at an eye the size of a tennis ball, he jumped when the eye turned and peered back.

Around the display was a roaring fire inside a brick hearth. The black burning logs inside crackled and embers floated out, only to die moments later. It was decorated with dozens of gold and silver watches, each telling something different. One watch had only a single hand, slowly revolving around a coiled snake. The customer could feel himself slipping out of focus; the heat, smell of alcohol and hypnotising watch was making his head swirl.

Deciding it was time to leave, he turned and walked out. Although this shop looked nicer from the outside than any other down Knockturn Alley, it was just as dubious as the rest.

The pale face of the full moon cast little light down through the bare canopy. Each tree sitting many meters apart yet reaching high into the night, looking down upon the stark, cold forest floor. Rough bark and dead leaves litter the ground, shuffling in the crying wind. No sound but the creak of the branches. The feeling of claustrophobia enhanced by the darkness seeping from all around. The air, cold and damp with the oncoming storm. A dead tree, its trunk left to rot and break away. The silence was shattered by the sound of crunching leaves. An old man stumbled through the woods, his breathing sharp and fast. A way behind him, more sounds of footsteps, but no breathing. The mans’ fear obvious in his ragged pace. The being behind him was gaining. He had escaped the ritual, but would not escape death as its embodiment closed in. He screamed for help but no help came. Not out in the woods. Even if somebody had been out in the huge expanse that was the forest, there was nothing they could do. Death bearing down upon the man and soon, he screamed no more. The ritual was complete.

Mr. Jones, of Manor Farm, was drunk. He locked up the hen-houses. Unfortunately, he forgot the pop-holes. His lantern lighting the way. Taking his boots off at the door. He grabbed another beer. Then, he went to bed. Mrs. Jones was already asleep.

He snapped off his big toe. The frostbite had gotten so bad that it was nothing but extra weight. Or wasted food. He thought about it. His captors had not fed him inside his freezing cell, and if he didn’t eat soon, he would die. His toe was still edible. It would probably make him sick, but it would keep him alive longer. He put his toe in his mouth. It was disgusting. Like a rock. It was then that he heard the bangs and shouts from above. The outpost he was held at was being raided. This was perfect. a man wearing a large coat and mask ran down the line of cells, breaking the locks and setting people free. When it was his turn, he got up, unsteady on his one working leg. He stumbled out. Climbing the stairs, he passed the raging battle. He lurched out the front door and into the snow. He didn’t get far. Smiling, he fell to the ground, unaware of the insanity that had been eating away at him for days. His last thought, his foot might keep him alive a bit longer.