Aim: How are the major symbols in Macbeth used to create allusions and connections?
Today, we started off by drawing trees and swapping them to see how everyone in our group had a different interpretation of the simple prompt of a tree.
We found that most of us had the same three types of trees - American Sweetgum, Evergreen, or Leafless. This is due to the fact that we grew up in North America and these are very common trees that we see everyday.
This leads to the idea that where we live and what we experience each day has an impact on our interpretation of very simple ideas and tangible things.
This is the tree I drew. Only two other people in my class drew a leafless tree.
We then learned the definitions and the differences between Signifier vs Signified, and how they are connected.
The signifier is any material thing that signifies, e.g., words on a page, a facial expression, an image. The signified is the concept that the signifier refers to. Together the signifier and signified make up the sign, which is the smallest unit of meaning. Anything that can be used to communicate or tell a lie.
We had an activity to try to think of some signifiers that come to mind from the word freedom. Some answers from my classmates include: fireworks, eagle, liberty bell, Statue of Liberty rainbow, and the American flag. We denoted that people in California or somewhere else not in New York would not say things such as the Statue of Liberty because they don’t see it often or think of it so it wouldn’t pop into their head.
We got a few more useful definitions as well:
Symbolic (arbitrary) signs are signs where the relation between signifier and signified is purely conventional and cultural specific, e.g., most words. Iconic signs are signs where the signifier resembles the signified, e.g., a picture.
Complex ideas are shaped by background/experiences which leads to influenced signified images.
Continuing on with the lesson, we went over the definition of allusion again as a reminder. Allusion is a brief and indirect reference within a literary work to a historical, literary, or biblical character, place or event, which is not explained. Writers intend the audience will recognize and understand them, usually through prior experience. They can help create the mood or can contribute to the theme. It can be any reference to a person, place, event, musical work, etc.
Types of Allusions
Biblical: referring to the Bible or a religious work
Classical: referring to classical literature
Literary: referring to another literary work
Historical: referring to an event in history
Here’s a helpful video about allusion: https://youtu.be/rF3ANKEPoko
For instance, when we were reading Lord of the Flies, there were many Biblical allusions littered throughout the book. For instance Simon represented Jesus and the pig’s head on a stick represented Satan.
Following this, we had a discussion of any allusions in Macbeth with our groups and with the class. There are so many allusions in this work of literature, it’s hard to keep up with! Some of the ones we discussed were:
Biblical allusion in Macbeth’s second soliloquy, uses words such as “heaven, cherubin, and angel’.
Classical: Witches are a reference to the three fates
In Act 1 Scene 2, the talk of the western isles is an allusion to Ireland.
Insane root is mentioned, which when eaten causes madness.
“Look like the innocent flower but be the serpent under it” is a reference to the Garden of Eden.
There are plenty of symbols in Macbeth as well.
Reflection:
In today’s lesson, I learned about the difference between signified and signifier and how our impressions and interpretations of different ideas can vary greatly depending on culture and background. I also was reminded of allusion and the four different types of allusions (biblical, classical, literary, and historical) and how Macbeth is full of allusions that can help the reader better interpret this literary work. The most common theme in allusions is usually biblical or having to do with good and evil based on this literature along with many others we have read, for instance Lord of the Flies. We also went over various symbols in Macbeth and what they represent. I learned this today because allusion and symbolism is the foundation of understanding and analyzing literature, and the depth of understanding can solely be based on how well you can learn about these different allusions and connect them to other forms of literature and ideas as well as what certain ideas symbolize to deconstruct the meaning of some complex lines. Without allusion and symbolism, you would not be able to understand a deep message without being as obvious as flat out saying what you mean. I will use this knowledge to fully understand Macbeth and learn how many literary works are deeply connected to each other using these references. It will be vital with this unit along with everything else I read in high school and beyond.
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