Rules: Difference between Us and Animals

      As much as we hate rules and believe that they suspend us from the ability to live freely, we REALLY need rules or else things would go too freely and then lead to chaos and insanity. As a civil society, rules hold our values and morals true and keeps us on the straight and narrow path. They help keep our priorities straight and the ability to achieve them fair and square. Rules are necessary for things to function properly because without proper instruction and authority to enforce them, nothing would be gotten done as people would do whatever they choose to do, which doesn't always contribute to the greater good for everyone as a whole. Rules keep us in line, as well as gives us the perspective of a society with rules and how it benefits from even the most strictest of orders. We may not always like rules, and they often don't allow what we desire, but they're very much necessary for us to actually enjoy anything at all without dramatically affecting anything else.

        Monkey see, monkey do, and a part of human nature still does hold onto our ancestors and primitive relatives' instinctual behaviors. Children learn from their parents and their children learn from them, and if everyone were to follow the rules, there would be no chaos. As we grow older, we often grow a better perspective of the rules that were enforced upon us as children because we gradually learn the importance of following the rules. Although it's important for people to learn, understand, and follow the rules at an early age because they'll soon be the ones enforcing them. The following of rules and laws generation by generation will guarantee a orderly life that everyone can prosper from without any problems slipping through. By each generation, as children become adults, it's important that they also properly understand the rules and priorities of any place because it's more than likely they'll become very influential leaders to those younger than them, who will learn from the adults and do as they do and say.
     Like said before, many people just don't agree with rules, or just want to break them because they're rules. They get off of the adrenaline of breaking the rules along with the feelings of determination, being self-confident, and an immense amount of pride in themselves. They receive a rush from being dynamic in comparison to those who follow the rules, making it seem they're distinguishing themselves from all the others. Instead, they're simply acting proud and childish as they believe that breaking the rules are much more important than following them or their personal priorities are more important than those of others who benefit from everyone following the rules. While it's completely okay to differentiate yourself from others, it shouldn't be acceptable to think only of yourself which is rules are inhibited into places and activities you go/do everyday.

EVILLLLL ヽ(ﾟДﾟ)ﾉ

     People can come up with excuses for everything or somehow purposely make an "accident" to occur, but evil, even for the most noble outcomes, should never be honored and considered just. Everyone will come to the crossroads between choices and understanding the difference between right and wrong becomes an even bigger problem than the decision itself. There are also times where the situation can cloud our sense of reality and morality. In Macbeth, the idea of becoming king sounds worth killing several people, but to a sane person would know that doesn't sound right. Even if our intentions are sincere and to better another person, I think that there is always a much less immoral way to get what you need.
     Concerning what we want, we like to make up elaborate and detailed reasons as to why the thing should be considered a 'need'. We try to give semi-concrete importance to the item to persuade our parents to give it to us or to even convince ourselves to get it. We reason that the thing will provide happiness and satisfaction, but the idea of having clouds our better judgment. For Macbeth and his wife, they believed that by becoming the leaders of the country and killing off conspirators, their lineage will be kings for generations. Considering the meaning of "evil means honor justifiable ends," I don't think that even if the intentions of a deed are for good, committing a crime or ignorantly misunderstanding that your actions don't affect others, should justify reasons of doing evil.
     I disagree that honorable deeds justify the need for evil doings because there are always a better choice other than evil. I think people could still make ends meet in achieving and receiving what they need without having to commit a crime or sin. In choosing those choices, I think people not only grow a false sense of justice, but also can come to forget their original goal from the consequences of their misdoings.

The Blacker the Berry, The Sweeter the Plot

     The darkening devices add thickness to Macbeth's plot as more and more characters become intertwined together throughout the story. Even the thunderous weather in the background of the first scene set the stage of a dark story with the witches meeting once again like many other time, plotting to meet with our main character, Macbeth. The first scene of act 1 created a dark mood. Dark imagery alike create suspense to add continuity to the story and make it more interesting. Twists and dark imagery keep readers on their toes to see what is to happen next. During act three, scene one, Macbeth's conversation in the dark with the murderers raises questions of whom he's sending them out to kill and why. Not only was the atmosphere and scene dark, without light, but the suspense of understanding the reasons the murderers were being makes readers curious to the next scene. Lastly, the whole scene with the witches and the apparitions in act four created a creepy and suspicious mood and then the ghosts of the kings raises questions of who, why, what and where the scene will take us later in the story. 

     The darker and darkest scenes in Macbeth are plot devices that Shakespeare used to his advantage to continue reading, as well as understand the inner feelings of characters from their response and reactions to what's happening. The scenes help the story to progress from understanding Macbeth's torn feelings towards his wife's plot and then his own plot to kill Banquo. Today, modern-day films use the same plot devices to produce more suspense and then interest into complicated plots with round characters in elaborate worlds. Reactions and responses from character vocally or physically or even different scenes with backgrounds create moods and add to the dark imagery of a story. Darkened rooms, suspicious characters, and ominous basements or even different facial expressions create suspense and curiosity of upcoming scenes and unexpected plot twists, 

     In Spirited Away, the story starts dark and suspenseful immediately as Chihiro is whisked into the spiritual world and cannot figure out how to get out. Also, the constant threat the bathhouse owner puts over Chihiro also thickens the plot and increases the danger that puts Chihiro in. Miyazaki created character with different characteristics in their personality and their physical appearance that added more to the plot as each character takes its own individual role in the story. 

The Power of Power

                       

     Power. It's one of the many things materialistic things people can desire along with love and money. Although the three things together or alone can do just as much damage as good. While power has enabled people to create everything around us- big, small, important, mundane- there are many times people take advantage of even the smallest amount of power. Macbeth was given a small sneak-peak of his future, and although he does not possess the magic that the witches or Hecate used to formulate the prophecy, it's given him power through encouraging him to proceed and follow the fate. The use of power differs from person to person, which is why there are both people who misuse power and authority and those who use it to help and benefit other people besides themselves. Power can easily cloud judgement as the need to only satisfy yourself becomes the only thought. In Macbeth, idealistic life of becoming king has become Macbeth's only goal, especially as he had gotten as far as he is.
     It's those who use their power justly can be considered a "hero", and a hero can come in all different shapes or sizes. A hero is powerful, but they used their free will and a clear conscious to decide whether to represent good or bad. Although, it's hard to always be a hero because of the responsibility and the dependence a lot of people have you, but it's the strength to persevere that is the hero's true strength. An important quality to have in a "hero" is honesty, that they're not too above themselves to tell others truthfully, a quality that a villain couldn't possess. I think that there's strength in heroes that are able to choose to be a hero rather than a villain- that characterizes a true hero. 
     There are many real life examples of heroes that we've read about in newspapers, books, and magazines or even people we know and have encountered in real life. Heroes are not limited to fiction because there are many people that have shown qualities that may be thought to only appear in characters. In Macbeth, Macbeth is given the choice to be maybe not the hero, but not the villain. Heroes in our newspapers have chosen to be the hero, and despite the pressures and temptations to choose otherwise, they chose to do the right thing. In Macbeth, Macbeth misused the power of knowing his future and while he was torn between acting upon his desires, he went through with it anyway. Macbeth didn't understand how to use his power and the pressure from his wife, and though he's seen as a hero in the beginning, him succumbing to the misuse of his power turn the tables. 

The Quality of a Good Friend

     Macbeth and Banquo are shown to be very close friends, and that's a good thing as a trio of witches have predicted Banquo at Macbeth's side and Banquo's descendants will succeed Macbeth. The two men are comrades in both war and society, but are told one will succeed over the other. Macbeth and Banquo are to follow the same path differently, and I think that it will bring a new twist in their friendship. 

     A 'good' friend will vary from person to person, but there are common qualities that all people can appreciate no matter their packaging. Bittersweet honesty can be in a friendship, but a friend should always respect the value of a friend speaking honestly of how they feel towards each other. Honesty can go a long way in friends being true to you and themselves, as it shows their comfort and safety with that other person. Unlike honesty, people should not restrain themselves from being kind to others, as the quality easily attracts people and it's a very important trait to find in a friend. Kindness comes in different forms and can be loud and public or quiet and private, but it never fails to show appreciation and carefulness for others. A form of kindness and comfort for another is the ability to  make a friend laugh and smile during times they need to smile. I think a person that can make you laugh is diamond in the rough because it takes a certain specialty to make someone smile and laugh during a really hard time. I have several friends that can make me laugh, and though I don't say whether it was a good or bad day, I'm thankful I have those types of friends. 

     My relationship with my best friend(s) is really close, and we're all close together. We all share inside jokes and laughs. We always enjoy each other's company and do not fail to entertain the other no matter who the host is. My friend and I's personalities are both similar in tastes, but different in behavior and we've known each other for awhile and our friendship is very strong. My friend has all the qualities I value, so I hope I also act as a good friend. I truly believe we could remain best friends, even if we hope our futures to be in different directions. We share a lot of laughs and memories together and we also share a lot of the same values. As much as we known about each other I like that we don't always known everything because it will always make a new conversation and add to the continuity to our friendship for now, and, hopefully, for a long time. 

Peer pressure: where self-confidence comes to die (love ya all!)

     As a group of friends, you'd want to do about everything the same and together. There are both and bad types of peer pressure, and whether or not to give in to the temptation is your decision. It's all natural for us to want to fit in and be apart of everyone, so it'd only make sense if we'd like to do everything together or alike. We are influenced by people we meet and things we see everyday of our lives. Much of our behavior and mannerisms are influenced by parents, and what we want to do can be influenced by friends. How we do things can be based off of our own morals and beliefs and friends very much sway are different opinions and perspective on things. 

     I try not to give in to negative peer pressure by my friends whether their doing it directly or indirectly. Gossiping is a common temptation that I give in to, but I am influenced positively by my friends or classmates. Becoming involved in different sports or activities have often positively affect me because my friends joined them as well. When I make a decision, I'll not only refer to my previous experiences and consequences, but to what's happened to friends. In terms of behavior, watching what happens with friends can determine whether or not to do the same- if it will be beneficial or detrimental. 

      Like I said before, I've been peer pressured or encouraged to participate in activities by friends, which are only ever positive. Although, never have I been peer pressured into anything negative like drinking or drugs. I think it's only peer pressure if you make it, otherwise it is nothing at all. Peer pressure may have not negatively affected myself, but it can be rather deteriorating to others as they meet at a crossroad of what their friends are doing and what should be done. Friends will always become most important people in our lives and can easily sway our thoughts, and that is why it is also important to wisely choose our friends.