Monday, August 24, 2020

Going Green To Save The Environment Essay

The reason for this paper is to identify and talk about a few different ways to spare the earth through the guideline of green living. Preservation is actually an umbrella guideline for all of green living. It truly implies utilizing just what really should be utilized so as to spare something for coming ages (Green Living Ideas, 2007). Moderating vitality by method of reusing is a pivotal natural advantage. As the common vitality sources become more difficult to find it is imperative to figure out how to spare vitality. Making littler, more eco-friendly vehicles can help moderate vitality. Riding a bicycle rather than a vehicle is greatly improved since a bike doesn’t use gas. Making new houses that are very much protected likewise assists with sparing vitality. As indicated by Seventh Generation (2007), â€Å"Municipal Solid Waste (MSW), all the more normally known as rubbish or trash, comprises of regular things, for example, item bundling, grass clippings, furniture, dress, bottles, food scraps, papers, apparatuses, paint, and batteries. This is usually produced from peoples’ homes, yet it likewise originates from business, institutional, and modern sources. † One man’s junk is another man’s treasure† is among the numerous sayings being resuscitated with new essentialness and reusing bolsters this thought. It has been in the American jargon throughout recent years and in numerous family units it is a lifestyle. Simply, it finds new uses for old materials, principally junk. As per the Environmental Protection Agency, reusing, including fertilizing the soil, occupied 72 million tons of material away from landfills and incinerators. In addition to the fact that this spares nature, the EPA said an examination found that reusing can make occupations too. The customer arranged practical and ecological benefits of reuse were effortlessly perceived by our grandparents. Furthermore, even today having a container of rescued nails, fasteners, and screws can spare a few excursions to the home improvement shop. Reusing paper items spares our trees and water assets too! Making a huge amount of paper from materials that were reused shields 17 trees from hurt and devours half less water, or 7,000 gallons (Quest4glory, 2004). In any case, while the way of thinking of reuse is working its way into the business division, the complexities of a worldwide economy request that the down to earth favorable circumstances and hindrances of reuse be ceaselessly examined and assessed. Nonetheless, industrialized countries are turning up at ground zero: governments are passing guidelines, organizations are reducing expenses, and shoppers are decreasing waste in the acknowledgment that applying the reuse reasoning in all regions will assist with continuing our agreeable personal satisfaction, upgrade it for other people, and keep up it for people in the future. Moreover, the most engaging motivation to reuse is a direct result of its capacity to make a horde of employments, which can subsequently improve the US economy. Reusing makes multiple times the measure of employments incinerator and landfill organizations produce. Reuse, reusing, and squander decrease offer direct advancement open doors for networks (Quest4glory, 2004). Taking everything into account, the advantages of reusing and preservation of vitality can't be overemphasized. Innovation is making it simple to be green. Sustainable power source can make your home progressively productive. Endeavors to tidy up our air and water, protect our non-inexhaustible assets, and quit jeopardizing plant and creature species, will at last lead to more joyful, more advantageous mankind living in association with the earth. Reference Green Living Ideas. (2007). Reuse. Recovered on September 7, 2007 from http://greenlivingideas. com/reuse/reuse. html Quest4glory. (2004, July 5). Reusing: It’s time to tidy up. Recovered September 7, 2007 from http://www. echeat. com/paper. php? t=26204 Seventh Generation. (). Living Green: Reduce, reuse, reuse. Recovered September 7, 2007 from http://www. seventhgeneration. com. /living_green/reduce_reuse_recycle. php

Saturday, August 22, 2020

Short story Essay Example For Students

Short story Essay The supposition that is frequently made that short stories are frail and need articulation, essentially due to their physical size restrictions. Nonetheless, if one somehow happened to plunk down and peruse only a couple of New Zealands best short stories, mentalities would very likely improve. Maurice Gee for example, A fine writer and imaginative legend for certain, holds numerous excellent short stories to his name. Gees well known story A Glorious Morning, Comrade demonstrates to us the inalienable potential to which New Zealand journalists can satisfy in a short story. The principle reason for a short story is to empower the peruser to picture in their psyche the pictures which the essayist paints. Thusly, more requests are made on the peruser. Since words are carefully constrained, characters must be made rapidly. It is hence that essayists utilize a dive strategy. The peruser is dove into the plot by being compelled to begin in the activity. For example: A Glorious morning, confidant, by Maurice Gee, and The gap that Jack burrowed, by Frank Sargeson. Considerably less detail is given to us about the characters, so again we envision the angles which are not given to us. Take for instance the subsequent section in Frank Sargesons The gap that Jack burrowed. The storyteller takes short of what one passage to portray Jack. In any case, utilizing uncommon wording, the storyteller can depict him in much detail utilizing little words to underline a couple of Jacks remarkable physical perspectives: The issue with Jacks smile is that it shows such a large number of teeth.Once Characters are set up, a plot or structure will start to frame. Once in a while it will show a thing or two, Sometimes the entire story may appear to be futi le similar to the case with The gap that Jack burrowed. With a little idea, one can find the genuine importance behind the plot. It might now and again be hard, yet frequently not feasible. Requests are again positioned on the peruser to think every which way, and not simply read the composed content. When the story has been perused, consideration must be centered around the finishing up sections, however on the covered thoughts which the essayist has raised all through the content. Little insights might be incorporated which probably won't be gotten from the principal assessment. The manner by which a specific character is depicted may maybe raise a key issue, basic in the comprehension of the plot. This is in fact the case in The gap that Jack Dug. The essayist may astutely utilize sentances of numerous implications so as to eliminate the excess. For example, A heavenly morning, friend brings the idea up in the absolute first passage that Mercy, one of Mr Pitt-Rimmers little girls Tied her dads scarf in a mean granny hitch. This represents Mercy as being brutal and coldhearted in spite of her delicate and pardoning name. It additionally signifies that Mr Pitt-Rimmer is forlorn and mindful of the feelings of hatred that go through his family. An examination can frequently be made between two short stories. For example, The opening that Jack Dug and A Glorious morning, Comrade. The first appears to have no good reason for it, and the last educates the peruser regarding the inclination cantankerous elderly people men have to break out and run their own lives. In short, the peruser is compelled to think with a receptive outlook, which is requesting, particularly when an inside and out methodology is required for the comprehension of the plot. Contingent upon the essayists point, request on the peruser will shift fundamentally, and with cautious practices within reach, a firm handle will be accomplished.

Saturday, July 18, 2020

How Do Executive Functions Affect ADHD Students

How Do Executive Functions Affect ADHD Students ADHD Print How Do Executive Functions Affect ADHD Students? By Keath Low Keath Low, MA, is a therapist and clinical scientist with the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities at the University of North Carolina. She specializes in treatment of ADD/ADHD. Learn about our editorial policy Keath Low Updated on June 07, 2019 ADHD Overview Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment Living With In Children Hero Images / Getty Images An individual with ADHD may have impairment in several areas of executive functioning. Impairments in executive functions can have a major impact on the ability to perform such tasks as planning, prioritizing, organizing, paying attention to and remembering details, and controlling emotional reactions. Executive Functions Executive functions are basically the management system of the brain. These mental functions which are thought to involve the frontal lobes of the brain help us organize and manage the many tasks in our daily life. The executive functions’ role is similar to a conductor’s role within an orchestra. The conductor manages, directs, organizes and integrates each member of the orchestra. They cue each musician so they know when to begin to play, and how fast or slow, loud or soft to play and when to stop playing. Without the conductor, the music would not flow as smoothly or sound as beautiful. Thomas E. Brown, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist and leading researcher on executive functions, identifies six clusters of cognitive functions that constitute a way of conceptualizing executive functions.  Look at the six clusters and how they affect students with ADHD. Activation: Organizing, Prioritizing and Getting Started on Tasks A student with deficits in this area of executive functioning has difficulty getting school materials organized, distinguishing between relevant and non-relevant information, anticipating and planning for future events, estimating the time needed to complete tasks, and struggles to simply get started on a task. Focus: Focusing, Maintaining, and Shifting Attention A student who is easily distracted misses important information provided in class. They are distracted not only by things around them in the classroom but also by their own thoughts. They have difficulty shifting attention when necessary and can get stuck on a thought, thinking only about that topic. Effort: Regulating Alertness, Sustaining Effort, Processing Speed A student who has a hard time regulating alertness may become drowsy when they have to sit still and be quiet in order to listen to a lecture or read material that they find boring. It is not that they are over-tired; they simply cannot sustain alertness unless they are actively engaged. In addition, the speed at which a student takes in and understands information can affect school performance. Some students with ADHD process information very slowly, while others may have trouble slowing down enough to process information accurately. Emotion: Managing Frustrations and Regulating Emotions A student with impairments in this area of executive functioning may have a very low tolerance for frustration, such as when they don’t how to do a task in class. They can also be extremely sensitive to criticism. Difficult emotions can quickly become overwhelming and emotional reactions may be very intense. Memory: Using Working Memory and Accessing Recall Working memory is a “temporary storage system” in the brain that holds several facts or thoughts in mind while solving a problem or performing a task. Working memory helps an individual hold information long enough to use it in the short term, focus on a task and remember what to do next. If a student has impairments in working memory, they may have trouble remembering and following teacher directions, memorizing and recalling math facts or spelling words, computing problems in their head or retrieving information from memory when they need it. Action: Monitoring and Self-Regulating Action Individuals with ADHD often have deficits in the ability to regulate their behavior, which can significantly impede social relationships. If a student has difficulty inhibiting behavior they may react impulsively without thought to the context of the situation, or they may overfocus on the reactions of others by becoming too inhibited and withdrawn in interactions. Like an orchestra, each of the executive functions works together in various combinations. When one area is impaired, it affects the others. If a student has deficits in one of these key executive functions, it can obviously interfere with school and  academic performance. The Next Steps Many people find it empowering to understand why they are struggling with their studies. Others feel sad or angry that they struggle with tasks that other people seem to do effortlessly. The good news is there are accommodations available to support you or your child with your individual study needs. Accommodations are designed to support you in the specific areas that you struggle with. A few examples of accommodations include a reduced amount of homework (e.g.,  if the class is asked to do 20 math problems, your child would be asked to 10), extra time taking tests, help with reading assignments, permission to record lectures and help with class notes. Find Help With the 9 Best Online Therapy Programs To receive help for your child, a good starting point is to speak to their teacher. The school is required by federal law to provide the additional services they need.   If you are at college or university, visit the office for student disabilities. They will be able to assist you in setting up accommodations.

Thursday, May 21, 2020

Criticism Of Macbeths Ambition - 1452 Words

Macbeth criticism Hypothesis: Macbeth is a slave to his overarching ambition. The historical play Macbeth written by Shakespeare tells a story of a man who succumbs to his ambitious demons and consequently develops a manic-depressive persona. After studying Macbeth and reading various criticisms I can conclude that Macbeth is a slave to his overarching ambition. The ambition was always there but when he encounters the â€Å"weird sisters† who tell him half-truths as a prophecy his weak mind choses to believe it and thus begins his journey to his own demise. The critics I will be referencing are John Charles Bucknill (1858), Vassilki Markidou (2003), Bert O. States (1985). Each critic argues that Macbeth’s ambition is ultimately responsible†¦show more content†¦John Charles Bucknill writes â€Å"It must be remembered that the drama brings Macbeth face to face with the supernatural, with that devil’s brood the weird Sisters, so unlike the inhabitants of earth, who, after a prophecy immediately fulfilled, â€Å"made themselves air into which they vanished. What would be the effect upon a man of nervous sensibility, of such appearances? Surely most profound. Well may Hazlitt say, that he can conceive no common actor to look like a man who had encountered the weird Sisters. The great interest of this drama is most skilfully made to depend upon the conflicting emotions of sympathy with a man struggling under fearful temptation; horror excited by treachery and foul murder; awful amazement at the visible grasp of the Spirit of Evil upon the human soul; and of satisfied justice at the hell of remorse into which he is plunged. In this respect there is an obvious parallelism between Macbeth and Faust; since in both the hero-criminal of the piece is not responsible as a free agent, so far as he is but the mortal instrument of the fiend in deeds of evil.† Macbeths weak mind is shown in this criticism, which aids my hypothesis of his downfall being stemmed from his overarching ambition. John Charles Bucknill wrote, â€Å"He discovers that Lady Macbeth is the mock fortitude of a mind deluded by ambition. She shames her husband by a superhuman audacity of fancy which she cannot support, but sinks in the season of remorse,Show MoreRelatedThe Downfall of Lady Macbeth in William Shakespeares Macbeth1399 Words   |  6 PagesThe Downfall of Lady Macbeth in William Shakespeares Macbeth William Shakespeares Macbeth has been a theatrical favorite since Elizabethan times. Its timeless themes of ambition, fate, violence, and insanity collaborate to produce a captivating plot. The audience traces the disintegration of a tragic hero and his willful wife. Lady Macbeth, one of Shakespeares most forcefully drawn female characters, plays an important role in the play Macbeth. She has a profound influence over the actionRead MoreFeminism in Macbeth1712 Words   |  7 Pagesof Lady Macbeth, marriage is Macbeth’s big mistake. Lady Macbeth turns his courageous conquests on the fields of war into butchery. Mangled by the blood-spotted hands of his wife he becomes a traitor to himself, the people around him, and even her. In the beginning they both desire power and Lady Macbeths starts to put evil thoughts in her husband’s head. Eventually Macbeth turns into a guiltless monster, which ironically causes Lady Macbeth’s downfall. Lady Macbeth’s life centers completely on herRead MoreMacbeth Character Analysis928 Words   |  4 Pagescountless individuals are used to progress the tragedy of the disaster that is Macbeth. Lady Macbeth assists in her husband’s inevitable demise by initially providing the reprehensible plan to murder Duncan, and by lowering her husband’s confidence with criticism. Early on in Shakespeare’s play, Macbeth receives a mysterious message from three witches, promising his title as Thane of Cawdor and afterwards as King of Scotland. Though this idea clearly entertains him, he says, â€Å"to be King / Stands not withinRead MoreMacbeth and Manhood Essay1087 Words   |  5 Pagesinto question as the witches introduce the prophecies tempting Macbeth’s vaulting ambition. After the regicide, Macbeth is damned and is no longer concerned with being honorable. He covets immediate gratification at all costs and by all means. However, this gratification is temporary due to that Macbeth later on, experiences guilt and regret which directs him towards his morbid fate and ultimate demise. The hierarchy portrayed in Macbeth’s society functions as a demonstration of the manliness virtuesRead MoreMacbeth by William Shakespeare1075 Words   |  5 Pagessociety there are different rank and class systems that distinguish groups of people. Ambition -- the quest for power – is an internal drive that is embedded in every one of us. It motivates us to improve ourselves. Ambition can lead to corruption as in the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare, where the main character Macbeth is driven by his ambition and eventually becomes corrupt. Macbeth chooses to let ambition override his humanity in order to achieve and maintain the throne which ultimately leadsRead MoreShakespeare Writes About Issues That Are Still Relevant Today1303 Words   |  6 PagesShakespeare writes about issues that are still relevant today because his themes are universal, his plays have been updated and remade and there are various schools of thought who argue about his plays. His universal themes of vaulting and corrupting ambition, a reliance on superstition and gender tell us that the play Macbeth explored themes that are still seen in today’s society. The updated and remade film versions of Macbeth (also known as The Tragedy of Macbeth) and Macbeth (BBC’s Shakespeare’s RetoldRead MoreParallels Between Macbeth and Satan in Macbeth by William Shakespeare582 Words   |  3 PagesShakespeare creates parallels between the protagonist, Macbeth, and Satan. Many critics believe Macbeth and Satan share a common thread in their high peaks and low drops. Throughout the play, Macbeth is very much the shadow of Satan in his eminence, ambitions, and consequences. Macbeth mirrors Satan in being the right hand man for his king and second in power. In the beginning of the play, Macbeth is portrayed as a ...valiant Cousin! Worthy gentlemen!(1.2.24) Many of his fellow peers feel MacbethRead MoreEssay about evilmac Comparing the Evil of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth966 Words   |  4 PagesMacbeth, are both evil, but the manifestation of evil is different in each.    Macbeths evil is a dynamic character trait. He begins the play as a celebrated hero, loyal to his friends and dedicated to his king. He is strong and noble, a man to be admired by his audience. Macbeth and Banquo are visited by the three witches, who promise him that he will be king. This veiled intimation ignites a secret ambition within Macbeth. Evil has dawned within him, but at this early stage of his transformationRead MoreTaylor Travis . Mr. Ortiz. English 12. 27 February 2017.1321 Words   |  6 PagesTaylor Travis Mr. Ortiz English 12 27 February 2017 Unit 3: Comparison Essay Both Macbeth and Throne of Blood illustrate the negativity associated with extreme ambition and desire for power. The two titles tell the story of a greatly respected warrior and his wife and their eventual downfall after pursuing a higher position of power. Shakespeare’s play, Macbeth, and Akira Kurosawa’s movie, Throne of Blood, share many similar aspects, ranging from plot to characters to setting. However, the twoRead More The Cause of Macbeths Destruction in William Shakespeares Macbeth1062 Words   |  5 PagesThe Cause of Macbeths Destruction in William Shakespeares Macbeth      Ã‚   In William Shakespeares Macbeth, Macbeth was a well-respected man of noble birth, but his fortune was reversed after he turned to darkness. He plummeted endlessly into a chasm of evil until his corrupt life was ended on the edge of Macduffs blade. Whose actions opened up the path of darkness to Macbeth? Whose actions led to Macbeths demise? The answer is threefold. The weird sisters set Macbeths fate into motion

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Case Study 2 Essay - 610 Words

Case Study 2 1. If you had been McLaughlin or Decker, what research would you want done? I would want research done on: How to handle catastrophic disasters in the first 7 days, such as September 11 or Hurricane Katrina. This will help alleviate a great deal of frustration among Americans, who felt helpless to respond productively they felt during these tragedies. 2. Create the management-research question hierarchy for the research you think might help the Red Cross make decisions related to public relations efforts and future advertising soliciting donations. 1. Management Questions - How can we produce the proper Ad campaign for donors by adhering to Red Cross Policies? - How can we increase the initial response efforts†¦show more content†¦The Red Cross should consider the basic idea of sampling because it is that by selecting some of the elements in a population, they may draw conclusions about the entire population. By using a population element gives the individual participant or object on which the measurement is taken. The Red Cross should also keep in mind that there are several persuasive reasons for sampling, such as: lower cost, greater accuracy of results, and greater speed of data collection and availability of population elements (Copper amp; Schindler, p. 364, 2011). 5. If a survey is used, what scales would be most appropriate? I believe the Measurement Scale would be appropriate because, selecting and constructing a measurement scale requires the consideration of several factors that influence the reliability, validity, and practicality of the scale. Some examples are listed below: Research objectives – To measure characteristics of the participants who participate in the study and to use participants as judges of the objects or indicants presented to them. Response types – Rating, ranking, categorization, and sorting. Data properties – Ordinal data show relationships of more than and less than but have no distance or unique origin. Number of dimensions – Measurement scales is either uni-dimensional or multi-dimensional. With a uni-dimensional scale can measure only one attribute of the participant or object. TheShow MoreRelatedCase Study 2 : Scotland6372 Words   |  26 Pages NATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS CURRICULUM SUPPORT Business Management Extended Case Studies (Set 2) [INTERMEDIATE 2] [pic] The Scottish Qualifications Authority regularly reviews the arrangements for National Qualifications. Users of all NQ support materials, whether published by LT Scotland or others, are reminded that it is their responsibility to check that the support materials correspond to the requirements of the current arrangements. Read MoreBusiness Law Assignment 2 Case Study Essay1147 Words   |  5 PagesBusiness Law Assignment 2 Case Study Analysis Question (a) This case study of John and Dan manifests some legal issues which need a close analysis. The first legal aspect identifiable from this case is incorporating terms by a means of appending a signature on those terms. Secondly, the element of letting the buyer be aware is manifesting itself in this case through incorporation of notice in the terms of a contract. Additionally, any jury involved in this case may be interested in looking to theRead MoreUnit 2 Project Case Study Essay666 Words   |  3 PagesCase Study Sergeant Robert Christopher Michael Woodruff Kaplan University CJ345 Supervisory Practices in Criminal Justice Professor Greg Ariza March 12, 2013 Case Study Sergeant Robert Christopher This report will be about a case study about Robert Christopher. He is a new supervisor on the night shift. He is having problems with the officer motivation and communication. This report will include information on how he can help to improve the officer’s motivation and the communication betweenRead MoreAssessment 2 Case Study Notes Essay2166 Words   |  9 Pagesï » ¿ Assessment 2 Case Study SOC 10007 Understanding the modern world Globalisation and Rationalisation Introduction The era of modernity, began and flourished in the late nineteenth century and the early twentieth century. In every language, the meaning of ‘modern’ would mean up to date or contemporary. In sociology, it was referred to as the ‘Great transformation’, a term which reflects the enormous magnitude of change that took place (Polanyi, 1973). The main features of modernityRead MoreCase Study 21038 Words   |  5 PagesCase Study 2 Jasmine Howard Liberty University Case Study 2 Part I Kaiser Manufacturing Company has been in business for over 50 years using the standard method staffing. Hiring its own employees, training, managing and all human resources issues were all handled in house. The option is now arising to use an employment agency, FSS, to relieve the burden from Kaiser Manufacturing Company. It is important to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of this option before changing the entire businessRead MoreCase Study 21159 Words   |  5 PagesCASE STUDY 2 COMMUNITY GENERAL HOSPITAL I. INTRODUCTION Community General Hospital started in 1914 as Whittaker Memorial Hospital. A man by the name of Dr. Noland Wright was appointed as a manager at that time to review the hospital’s financial records. It turns out that Dr. Wright was trained only in the medical field not business. Unfortunately, he was the main cause for poor financial management at Community General Hospital.   By 1970, the hospital had suffered in major losses and debtsRead MoreCase Study 21267 Words   |  6 PagesCase  Study  2   Adapting  Store  Size  to  the  Type  of  Location   Submitted  By  :  Marie  Jo  Aguzar      87/100   Under  what  conditions  should  a  large  box  store  retailer  like  a  Best  Buy  Pursue  a   small ­store  strategy?         As  U.S.  chain  retailers  absorb  the  lessons  of  the  great  recession,  many  big ­box  chains   have  started  to  shrink  average  store  footprints  to  reflect  the  growing  importance  of   multi ­channel  shopping,  adapt  to  urban  settings  and  recognize  the  need  to  optimize   investment.  I  suspect  you  got  thRead MoreCase Study 21203 Words   |  5 PagesFLOW FROM FINANCING Decrease in long-term debt (12.9) Net cash flow from financing ($12.9) Net increase (decrease) in cash ($10.0) Beginning cash 37.2 Ending cash (calculated) $27.2 Actual ending cash (Check figure) $27.2 2. Use the Du Pont equation to obtain a rough feel for Commonwealth’s financial condition as compared to national averages. What are your conclusions? Du Pont Analyses: 2012 2013 Ind. Avg. Total margin 3.67% 5.73% 2.90%Read MoreCASE STUDY 2 Essay725 Words   |  3 Pagesï » ¿Case Study #2 According to the text, the DIY Store is a nationwide chain that offers everything from home repair to general maintenance equipment for do-it-yourself projects. In addition to the wide variety of goods they sell, the DIY Company has been very successful due to the customer service they provide by hiring experienced employers and strategically placing them into departments that complement their knowledge and skills. Despite the success that DIY has seen since they entered the marketRead MoreCase Study 2 Hollywood1665 Words   |  7 PagesShahrokh Dalpour November 2 2014 Case Study-Hollywood Influence on Global Culture 1. Most aspects of foreign culture, like language, religion, gender roles, and problem-solving strategies, are hard for the casual observer to understand. In what ways do Hollywood movies affect national culture outside the United States? What aspects of U.S. culture do Hollywood films promote around the world? Can you observe any positive effects of Hollywood movies on world cultures? 2. Culture plays a key role

The Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove Chapter 28~29 Free Essays

Twenty-eight The Sheriff To Burton, it sounded like there could be thirty or forty people wailing in the cave, let alone whatever was making the roaring noise. It might not be as easy to get rid of witnesses as he’d thought. If all the people he’d passed on the road earlier were in the cave, the SWAT snipers were going to have their work cut out for them. We will write a custom essay sample on The Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove Chapter 28~29 or any similar topic only for you Order Now One thing was for sure, he couldn’t let Crowe and this woman, whoever she was, leave the ranch alive. His cell phone rang and he pushed the answer button. â€Å"What?† He set his gun down and covered his ear to shut out the noise from the cave. â€Å"Nailsworth here,† the Spider said. â€Å"They’re on the way. Give it forty minutes. And there’s no other entrance to that cave.† Burton was not happy, having to lie in this crevice for another forty minutes, but once the SWAT team arrived, it would be over. â€Å"Nailsworth, shot in the dark here, but have you ever heard of someone calling themselves Kendra, Warrior Babe of the Wasteland?† â€Å"The Outland,† the Spider corrected. â€Å"Warrior Babe of the Outland. Of course, only the finest series of nuked-out future movies ever made. Kendra’s a huge star. Was a huge star. Molly Michon was the actress’s name. Why?† â€Å"Never mind. One of the suspects thinks she’s a comedian.† â€Å"If you want some of the cassettes, I can let you have some copies for twenty bucks apiece. I’ve got almost the whole collection.† â€Å"Nailsworth, you’re a pathetic piece of shit.† Burton disconnected. The wailing was still coming from the cave and the woman was screaming something he couldn’t make out. Molly Theo’s sneakers were still showing, sticking out between Steve’s teeth. Molly grabbed her broadsword, ran up the Sea Beast’s foreleg, and leapt onto his broad neck. She brought the broadsword down hard between his eyes and the impact made her hands go numb. â€Å"Spit him out! Spit him out!† Steve tossed his head, trying to throw her off, but she gripped him with her thighs and hacked away at his head. Chunks of his scales flew off and the blade sparked. â€Å"Spit him out! Spit him out!† Molly screamed, punctu-ating the panicked chant with blows from the sword. She’d seen this before. She knew that if she heard a crunch, Theo was finished. The Sea Beast opened his jaws to deliver the coup de grace and Molly could hear a gurgling scream come from Theo. She leapt to her feet on Steve’s forehead, put the tip of the broadsword in the corner of his eye, and prepared to leap on the hilt to drive it into his eye socket. â€Å"Spit him out! Now!† Steve went cross-eyed trying to see his attacker, then made a grunting noise and hacked the constable out on the cave floor. He whipped his head and Molly went fly ing, hitting her back hard on the cave wall ten feet away and sliding down. The pilgrims’ wails turned to sobs as Steve slunk to the back of the cave. Theo, mired in a puddle of blood, bat guano, and dragon spit, pushed himself up on his hands and knees and looked to Molly. â€Å"You okay?† he gasped. She nodded. â€Å"I think so. You?† Theo nodded and looked down to make sure his legs were still there. â€Å"Yeah.† He crawled over to her and sat back against the cave wall beside her, still heaving to get his breath back. â€Å"Nice friends you have. Why’d he stop?† â€Å"I think his feelings are hurt.† â€Å"Sorry.† â€Å"He’ll get over it. He’s a big boy.† Despite himself, Theo started laughing, and before long he and Molly were leaning against each other, giggling uncontrollably. â€Å"Steve, huh?† Theo said. â€Å"He looks like a Steve, don’t you think?† Molly said. Theo wiped the dragon spit from his mouth and leaned over to kiss her. She caught his chin in her hand and pushed him away. â€Å"Bad idea.† Another roar rose from the back of the cave, this one less angry and more sad than the last. â€Å"I guess so,† Theo said. â€Å"What in the hell is going on in there, Crowe?† Burton called from outside. â€Å"You don’t have a lot of time to dick around here. There’s a SWAT team on the way. What do you want?† â€Å"I don’t even know what the hell you’re talking about,† Theo shouted. â€Å"What do you want to walk away from this? Leave the state. Forget everything. How much? Give me a figure.† Theo looked at Molly as if she might have the answer. She said, â€Å"I thought we made our demands pretty clear.† â€Å"He’s not going to let me go, Molly. And now he’s not going to let you go either. If there’s a SWAT team on the way, we’re in big trouble.† â€Å"I need to go talk to Steve.† Molly stood and walked between the sobbing pilgrims to the back of the cave. Theo watched her fade into the dark where the Sea Beast was pulsing with dim spots of green and blue. Theo rubbed his eyes to try to clear his vision. â€Å"Well, Crowe? What’ll it be?† â€Å"Make me an offer,† Theo said, trying to figure out some kind of insurance. Something that would keep him alive more than two seconds after he stepped out of the cave. â€Å"I’ll give you a hundred thousand. It’s a fair offer, Crowe. You can’t prove anything anyway, not if Leander is dead. Take the money and walk away.† â€Å"I’m dead,† Theo said to himself. The size of the bluff offer itself betrayed Burton’s seriousness. There was no way he was letting Theo get away alive. â€Å"We’ll talk it over!† Theo shouted. His head was throbbing from the pistol whipping he’d taken and the vision in his left eye was blurry. His cell phone chirped from within the pile of pilgrims’ clothing and he scrambled through the clothes and pill bottles to find it. His vision went black with the move-ment and he had to steady himself until it cleared. He found the phone nestled in a pair of panty hose and hit the answer button. Steve He knew an enemy when he saw one. He could sense waves of aggression and fear coming from them, and he had felt those things coming from his warmblood lover. He could feel the fear even now as she approached him through the feeder people. Why, if she was going to find another mate, did she go to the trouble of unwrapping the feeder people for him? He didn’t mind being hit with the sharp thing, that felt good, he thought she wanted to mate again, but when she put it in his eye, he knew she would have killed him. He felt it. She had turned her loyalties to another. He considered biting off her head to show her how badly he felt. He tucked his head under his foreleg as she approached. She rubbed his gill tree and he sent a bolt of scarlet over his back to tell her to stop. â€Å"I’m sorry, Steve. I don’t have many friends. I couldn’t let you eat Theo.† He could sense benevolence in her tone, but he didn’t trust her now. Maybe he would just bite off an arm as a test. His back pulsed magenta and blue. â€Å"You have to go, Steve. There’s a SWAT team coming. You can get past that guy outside without a problem. In fact, you can eat that guy outside if you want. In fact, I’d really appreciate it if you’d eat that guy outside.† She stepped back from him. â€Å"Steve, you have to get out of here or they’re going to kill you.† He pulsed a dull olive drab to her and tucked his head farther under his foreleg. She wanted him to go away, he could feel it. And he wanted to go away, but he didn’t want her to want him to go away. He knew she could never be what he wanted, and he understood never now, but he didn’t want the warmblood to have her either. Colors ran like sorrow over his scales. â€Å"I’m not rejecting you,† Molly said. â€Å"I’m trying to save your life.† She pushed through the pilgrims, who were all on their knees sobbing, and one woman, a thirtyish redhead with gravity-defying fake breasts, grabbed her arm. â€Å"I can sacrifice,† the woman said. â€Å"I can.† Molly pulled her arm away from the woman. â€Å"Fuck off, lady,† Molly said, â€Å"Martyrdom’s easy, it comes with the plumbing.† Theo It was only when he answered the cell phone that Theo realized one of Burton’s blows had caught him on the ear. â€Å"Ouch! Goddamn it. Ouch!† Theo limped around in a circle, despite the fact that his limbs weren’t injured at all. â€Å"Theo?† Gabe said, his voice tinny in the receiver. â€Å"Yeah, it’s me.† Theo changed the phone to his other ear, but still held it a few inches away, now that it had bitten him once. â€Å"Where are you? Who answered your phone?† â€Å"That was Molly Michon. We’re in that cave up on the ranch where the mushroom farm used to be. Burton has us pinned in here and he’s called in a SWAT team.† â€Å"Have you seen it?† â€Å"Yeah, I’ve seen it, Gabe. I think you were right about the brain chemistry thing. There’s a bunch of people here all tranced out, saying they were called to give sacrifice. They all have prescriptions written by Val.† â€Å"Wow,† Gabe said. â€Å"Wow. What’s it look like?† â€Å"It’s large, Gabe.† â€Å"Could you be more specific?† â€Å"Look, Gabe, we need some help. Burton is going to kill us. I need witnesses up here so he can’t claim that we fired on his men. Call the TV station and the paper. Get a news helicopter up here.† Theo felt Molly grab his shoulder. He turned to see her shaking her head. â€Å"Just a second, Gabe.† He covered the mouthpiece with his hand. â€Å"No reporters, Theo.† â€Å"Why not?† â€Å"Because if they find out about Steve, they’ll put him in a cage or kill him. No reporters. No cameras.† She gripped his shoulder until it hurt and tears welled up in her eyes. â€Å"Please.† Theo nodded. â€Å"Gabe,† he said into the phone, â€Å"Forget the reporters. No news people. No cameras. You guys come, though. I need witnesses here that don’t work for Burton.† â€Å"You said there were a bunch of people there?† â€Å"They’re all out of it, I don’t think they’re worth a damn. Besides, they’re naked.† There was a pause. Gabe said, â€Å"Why are they naked?† Theo looked to Molly, â€Å"Why are they naked?† â€Å"To deter them from coming into the cave.† â€Å"To deter them from coming into the cave,† Theo said into the phone. â€Å"Well, that didn’t work very well, did it?† Gabe said. â€Å"Why didn’t she scare them off with the creature?† â€Å"That’s what I’ve been telling you, Gabe. They’re here to be with the creature.† â€Å"Fascinating. And Molly has control over him?† Theo looked at the dragon spit running down his jeans. â€Å"Not exactly. Gabe, please, bring Val and get your ass up here. You can claim to be here for scientific reasons or something. Val can say she’s a trained hostage ne-gotiator. These people are her patients; that should help her credibility. Bring as many people as you can.† Molly grabbed Theo’s arm again and shook her head. â€Å"Just the people who already know.† Theo cursed under his breath. â€Å"Scratch that, Gabe. Just you and Val. Don’t tell anyone else.† â€Å"Mavis and Howard and Catfish know already.† â€Å"Just them. Please, Gabe, borrow Mavis’s car and get up here.† â€Å"Theo, this isn’t going to help you much. We might keep you from getting killed, but Burton is still going to arrest you guys. You know it. And once he gets you in his jail, well, you know.† â€Å"One thing at a time.† â€Å"Theo, we’ve got to preserve that creature. This is the greatest†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Gabe,† Theo interrupted. â€Å"I’m trying to preserve my ass. Get going, please.† â€Å"You’ve got to get that creature out of there, Theo. They might not shoot you if there are witnesses, but they won’t let the creature go.† â€Å"He won’t move. He’s in the back of the cave, sulking.† â€Å"Sulking?† â€Å"I don’t know, Gabe. Just come, okay.† Theo disconnected and sat down. To Molly he said, â€Å"Gabe’s right. We may just be delaying the inevitable by bringing in witnesses. Maybe we should rush Burton before SWAT gets here.† Molly picked up the AK-47 from the floor, released the clip and tilted it so Theo could see it was empty. â€Å"Bad idea.† The Head of the Slug â€Å"Hostage negotiator?† Val Riordan said. â€Å"I did my residency in eating disorders. The closest I’ve ever come to a hostage negotiation is talking a sugar-jagged actress out of purging fourteen quarts of Ben Jerry’s Monkey Chunks after she lost her part on ‘Baywatch.'† â€Å"That counts,† said Gabe. He’d related everything that Theo had told him and was ready to run to the rescue, but Val was reluctant. â€Å"I believe the flavor is Chunky Monkey,† H.P. said. â€Å"Whatever,† said Val. â€Å"I don’t see why Theo needs us if he’s got a whole cave full of my patients.† Gabe was trying to be patient, but he could feel a clock ticking in the back of his brain, each tick taking away his chance to save his friend and lay eyes on a living specimen from the Cretaceous period. â€Å"I told you, Theo says they’re out of it.† â€Å"Perfectly logical,† said H.P. â€Å"How so?† asked Val, obviously irritated at the stuffy restaurateur’s tone. â€Å"The tradition of making sacrifice is as old as man. It may be more than just a tradition. The Babylonians sacrificed to the serpent, Tiamet, the Aztecs and Mayans sacrificed to serpent gods. Perhaps this creature was the serpent to which they sacrificed.† â€Å"That’s ridiculous,† Val said. â€Å"This thing eats people.† H.P. chuckled, â€Å"People have been loving vengeful gods for thousands of years. Who’s to say it isn’t the vengeance that inspires that love? Perhaps, as Dr. Fenton has pointed out, there is some symbiotic relationship between the hunting habits of this creature and the brain chemistry of its prey. Perhaps it inspires love as well as sexual stimulation. That feeling needn’t be reciprocal, you know. He could be as oblivious to his worshippers as any other god. He takes the sacrifices as his due, with no responsibility on his part.† â€Å"That’s a steamin bag of dog snot if I ever heard it,† Catfish spouted. â€Å"I been near this thing and it ain’t never done nothin but scare the daylights out of me.† â€Å"Is that right, Mr. Fish?† H.P. said. â€Å"Isn’t it true that your fear of this creature has inspired a lifelong career in music? Perhaps you owe thanks to this beast.† â€Å"I owe ya’ll a ride to the booby hatch, thass what I owe.† â€Å"Enough!† Gabe shouted. â€Å"I’m going. You can come or you can stay, but I’m going to help Theo and see if I can keep that creature alive. Mavis, can I borrow your car?† Mavis threw her keys on the bar. â€Å"Wish I was going with you, kid.† â€Å"May I join you?† H.P. asked. Gabe nodded and looked at Val. â€Å"They are your patients.† She pressed her back against the bar. â€Å"This is all going to blow up, and when it all comes out, I’m going to go to jail. I should help with that?† â€Å"Yes,† said Gabe. â€Å"Why?† â€Å"Because it’s the right thing to do, and because it’s important to me and you love me.† Val stared at him, then dragged her purse off the bar. â€Å"I’ll go, but you will all be getting hate mail from me when I’m in jail.† Mavis looked at Catfish. â€Å"Well?† â€Å"Ya’ll go on. I got the Blues on me.† They started out the door. â€Å"Don’t you worry, honey,† Mavis called after them. â€Å"You’re not going to jail. Mavis will see to it.† Twenty-nine Gabe Up until the time that Steve had come to town, the most fearsome prehistoric beast on the Central Coast was Mavis Sand’s 1956 Cadillac convertible. It was lemon-pie yellow with a great chrome grill that seemed to slurp at the road as it passed and gold-plated curb feelers that vibrated in the wind like spring-loaded whiskers. The daytime regulars called it the â€Å"Banana† and in a fit of ambition had once even fashioned a giant blue Chiquita emblem, which they stuck on the trunk lid while Mavis was working. â€Å"Well,† Mavis said, more than somewhat surprised by their efforts, â€Å"it ain’t the first banana I’ve rode, but it takes the size record by at least a foot.† Even in his youth, Gabe had never driven anything like the Banana before. It steered like a barge and it rocked and lurched over dips and potholes like a foundering scow. Gabe had activated the electric top when they’d first climbed in and hadn’t figured out how to put it back up. Gabe spotted Val’s Mercedes parked on the side of a hill off the main ranch road. There were six other vehicles parked next to it, all four-wheel-drive sport utility vehicles: two Blazers and two larger Suburbans. A group of men in black jumpsuits were standing by the vehicles, the tallest watching them through binoculars and talking on a radio or cell phone. â€Å"Maybe we should have taken a more inconspicuous vehicle,† Gabe said. â€Å"Why didn’t we take your car, Howard?† Val asked. She was slouched in the passenger seat. Howard sat in the back, as stiff as a mannequin, squinting as if this was his first exposure ever to sunlight. â€Å"I own a Jaguar. Superior coach works, none like them in the world outside of Bentley and Rolls. Walnut burl on all the interior surfaces.† â€Å"Doesn’t run, huh?† â€Å"Sorry,† said Howard. Gabe stopped the Banana at the cattle gate. â€Å"What should I do? They’re watching us.† â€Å"Go on up there,† Val said. â€Å"That’s why we’re here.† She had gotten brave all of a sudden. Gabe wasn’t quite so self-assured. â€Å"Someone tell me again why the sheriff won’t just shoot us along with Theo and Molly?† Val was getting into the spirit of the thing, realizing that this might be the only way to atone for what she’d done to her patients. â€Å"I’m a psychiatrist, Gabe, and you have a Ph.D. The police don’t shoot people like us.† â€Å"You’re kidding, right?† Howard said, â€Å"Does one require an advanced degree to be immune to gunfire, or does a life of scholarship count as well?† â€Å"Go, Gabe,† Val said. â€Å"We’ll be fine.† Gabe looked over at her and she smiled at him. He smiled back, sort of, and pulled the Banana into the pasture toward five heavily armed men who did not look happy to see them. Theo Theo had searched the rest of the cave, using the disposable lighter he’d forgotten to abandon with the rest of his pot habit. The cathedral chamber was closed, except for the entrance where Burton waited. Theo gave the Sea Beast a wide clearance on his way back to Molly, who stood just inside the cave mouth. Burton shouted from outside, â€Å"Crowe, we’ve got your friends locked up! This is your last chance to make a deal! I’ll give you five minutes, then we’re using gas!† Theo turned to Molly in a panic. â€Å"We’ve got to get these people out of here, Molly. As soon as the first gas grenade comes in, it’s all over.† â€Å"Don’t we need hostages?† â€Å"For what? He’s not going to negotiate. The only thing he wants is me – and probably you – dead.† â€Å"Why don’t you call someone and tell them what you know? Then Burton won’t have a reason to kill us.† â€Å"All I know is what I’ve seen. With Leander dead, there’s no one to connect him to the labs. I’ve already told Val and Gabe. Now he’s got them. I was an idiot to bring them into this.† â€Å"Sorry,† Molly said. â€Å"Wait.† Theo flipped open his phone and dialed. The phone rang eight times and Theo was glancing at the battery gauge, which showed only a quarter-charge, when a man answered. â€Å"Nailsworth,† the Spider said, leaving the caller to guess that they had contacted the Sheriff’s Department’s information officer. â€Å"Nailsworth, it’s Theo Crowe. I need your help.† â€Å"Having a bad day, Theo?† What a prick, Theo thought. â€Å"Listen, I’m trapped†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"I know where you are, Theo. Remember, I know ev erything. Actually, I’m glad you called. I had something I wanted to ask you about.† Theo fought the urge to scream at the megalomaniacal geek. â€Å"Please, Nailsworth, I don’t know how long this battery is going to hold out. I need you to do me a favor.† â€Å"Me first.† â€Å"Go,† Theo barked. â€Å"Well, when Burton called me, he mentioned that your accomplice said she was Kendra, Warrior Babe of the Outland. So I started looking around. Turns out there was a Molly Michon admitted to county psychiatric a few times. She left a Pine Cove address. I wondered if†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"It’s her,† Theo said. â€Å"Wow, you’re kidding! No way!† â€Å"She’s right here.† Theo looked at Molly and shrugged. â€Å"Look, you warned me not to go on the ranch. You know about Burton’s crank network.† â€Å"I might,† Nailsworth said. â€Å"Don’t be coy. You know everything. But what I need to know is do you have access to information that could be used as evidence – money transfers, checks, offshore accounts, phone records, and such – stuff you could give to the state attorney?† â€Å"Why, Theo, you’re starting to sound like a cop.† â€Å"Can you get it?† â€Å"Theo, Theo, Theo, don’t be silly. Not only can I get it, but I’ve had it. I’ve been compiling a file for years.† â€Å"Can you get it to the attorney general’s office right now?† â€Å"What’s in it for me?† â€Å"Nailsworth, he’s going to kill us.† â€Å"Kendra is right there with you, huh? I can’t believe it.† Theo shuddered, halfway between panic and anger. He held the phone out to Molly. â€Å"Say something Kendra-like.† Molly cleared her throat and said, â€Å"Die, you scum-sucking mutant pig. The only thing of mine you’ll feel is cold steel!† â€Å"Oh my God! It’s her!† the Spider said. â€Å"Yeah, it is,† Theo said. â€Å"Now will you help?† â€Å"I want a copy of the Norwegian Battle Babes. Can I get one?† Theo covered the receiver and looked at Molly. â€Å"Norwegian Battle Babes?† Molly smiled. â€Å"Kendra VI: Battle Babes in the Hot Oil Arena. The Norwegian version is the only version that has full nudity in all the arena scenes. It’s very rare.† Theo’s mouth had dropped open. His survival had come down to this? â€Å"So do you have a copy?† â€Å"Sure.† â€Å"You got it,† Theo said into the phone. â€Å"I’ll bring Kendra naked and in person to your office if you get moving now.† â€Å"I don’t think so,† said Molly. â€Å"I’ll send the file to Sacramento,† the Spider said, â€Å"but that won’t do you any good. Even if you tell Burton about it, he’s got you in a perfect situation to kill you anyway. You need media.† â€Å"Media? Helicopters? We’re too far north to get anyone here in time,† Theo said. â€Å"No!† Molly shouted. â€Å"I’ll call them,† the Spider said. â€Å"Hold them off for twenty minutes, maybe twenty-five.† â€Å"We don’t have anything but naked people and a jealous sea monster to hold them off with.† â€Å"Is that more of your drug nomenclature?† the Spider asked. â€Å"It’s what it is. If they use gas, we won’t have twenty minutes.† â€Å"They won’t.† â€Å"How do†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Twenty-five minutes. And Battle Babes better be in the original box.† The Spider hung up. Theo clicked his phone closed. â€Å"I said no helicopters, Theo,† Molly said. â€Å"Even if we get out, you know they’ll hurt Steve. You need to call him and tell him no helicopters.† Theo felt he was close to losing it. He clenched his fists and tried very hard not to scream in her face. His voice went to a whisper. â€Å"Molly, even with a warrant out for Burton, he will kill us. If you want your dragon to live, then you’ve got to get him out of here before they get here.† â€Å"He won’t leave. He won’t listen to me. Look at him. He doesn’t care about anything anymore.† Sheridan Sergeant Rich Sheridan was six-three, two-thirty, with dark hair, a mustache, and a long, hooked nose that had been broken several times. Like the other men on the hill, he was wearing body armor and a radio headset, as well as a weapons belt. He was the only one not holding his M-16. Instead he was talking on a cell phone. He had been a cop for ten years and working for Burton on the side for eight. If this had been an official activation of Special Weapons and Tactics he would have been second in command, but as the real commander wasn’t in Burton’s pocket, Sheridan was in charge. He let the binoculars dangle around his neck and waited while his men got firing angles on all of the yellow Cadillac’s passengers before he approached. Sheriff Burton was screaming at him on the cell phone. â€Å"I’m pinned down up here, Sheridan. Handle this and get your ass up here. Now!† â€Å"Yes, sir. What do you want me to do with them?† â€Å"Find out who they are, then cuff them and leave them there. And hurry.† Sheridan hung up. â€Å"Get out of the car. Keep your hands where I can see them.† The two men and a woman did as they were told and submitted to pat-downs from Sheridan’s men. When they were handcuffed, Sheridan spun the younger man around. â€Å"Who are you?† â€Å"Gabe Fenton. I’m a biologist.† Gabe smiled weakly. â€Å"Nice headsets. You guys could all be standing by to take my subscription order for Corrup-tion Weekly.† Sheridan didn’t react. â€Å"What are you doing here?† â€Å"Endangered species protection. There’s a very rare creature in that cave up there.† Val winced. â€Å"Were you supposed to tell him that?† she whispered. â€Å"How did you know to come here?† Sheridan asked. â€Å"This is the habitat of the California red-legged frog, very endangered. I saw your SWAT vehicle go by and the driver had that ‘I want to kill some rare frogs’ look in his eye.† Gabe looked at one of the other SWAT guys, a stocky Hispanic man who was glaring at him over the sights of his M-16. â€Å"See, there’s that look right there.† â€Å"We didn’t bring the SWAT vehicle,† Sheridan said flatly. â€Å"Actually,† Val jumped in, â€Å"I’m a clinical psychologist. I have experience in hostage negotiation. I heard the SWAT team being dispatched on my scanner at home, and since you’re so far north, I thought you might need some help. Dr. Fenton agreed to ride along with me.† â€Å"We weren’t dispatched over the radio,† Sheridan said, dismissing Val as if she were an insect. He looked at Howard. â€Å"And you?† â€Å"Howard Phillips. I’m merely here to observe a hid eous ancient creature that has arisen from the darkest Stygian depths to wreak havoc on civilization and feast on human flesh.† Howard smiled (the smile of an undertaker at the news of a big bus crash, but a smile nonetheless). Sheridan stared blankly at H.P., saying nothing. â€Å"He’s the caterer,† Gabe said quickly. â€Å"We brought him along to get your order. I’ll bet none of you guys remembered to pack a lunch, did you?† â€Å"Who did you tell you were coming here?† Gabe looked at Val and Howard for some clue as to the right answer. â€Å"No one,† he said. Sheridan nodded. â€Å"We are going to put you in the back of that truck over there for your own safety,† he said. Then to the others he said, â€Å"Lock them in the K-9 unit. We’ve got to go.† How to cite The Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove Chapter 28~29, Essay examples

Sunday, April 26, 2020

Sup. Natl In Macbeth Essays - Characters In Macbeth,

Sup. Nat'l In Macbeth ?Supernatural Forces in Macbeth? In Shakespeare's Macbeth, specific scenes focus the readers' attention to the suspense and involvement of the supernatural. The use of witches, apparitions and ghosts are an important element in making the play interesting. Examining certain scenes of the play, it can be determined that as supernatural occurrences develop, Macbeth reflects a darker self-image. Macbeth experiences his first strange encounter of the supernatural when he meets the three witches in act one, scene one. After learning of his prophecies to become king, Macbeth states, ?Glamis, and Thane of Cawdor: The greatest is behind (still to come).? (1.3.117-118). Shakespeare uses foreshadowing, a literary technique, to suggest to his readers the character Macbeth will suffer a personality change. Macbeth also implies his first notions of plotting an evil scheme by this comment. After the prophecies of the witches revealed the fate of Macbeth, the quest of the throne will be his next vi ctory. ?The witches reveal a fate for Macbeth and imply that a part of what will come to him must come, but they reveal no fate of evil-doing for him and never, even by suggestion, bind him to evil doing. ?, states literary critic Willard Furnham. Furnham declares the only power the witches obtain over Macbeth, is the power of insinuation. By offering to Macbeth the idea of power, the witches push Macbeth to the next level of greed and evil which was non-existent prior to the encounter. The murder and death of King Duncan initiates Macbeth's second encounter with the supernatural when he witnesses a floating dagger. As Macbeth awaits the signal to make his way up the stairs, he sees the floating dagger and proclaims, ? Come, let me clutch thee. I have thee not, fatal vision, sensible (able to be felt) to feeling as to sight, or art thou but a dagger of the mind, a false creation, proceeding from the heat-oppressed brain (2.2.33-38). This apparition confuses and frightens Macbeth. He can not comprehend how he can see something and not be able to touch it. ?Thou leads me the way I was going; and such an instrument I was to use. And on thy blade and hilt, drops of blood which was not so before. There's no such thing. It is bloody business which takes shape.? (2.2.43-49) Here, Macbeth begins to question whether his mind is playing tricks on him. The situation seems quite coincidental considering he is minutes from murdering a man with a similar weapon. He states the apparition is due to the bloody business about to occur. The dagger symbolizes the point of no return for Macbeth. If he chooses the path in which the dagger leads, there will be no turning back. Macbeth fears Banquo for his prophecy is to father kings, so Macbeth proceeds to plot the murder of his once friend, which spurs yet another brush with the supernatural. Macbeth attends a banquet at which he witnesses the ghost of his dead friend. (3.4.37-145) The fortunes of the three witches sparked Macbeth' s desire to murder Banquo and caused him to dig himself into a deeper hole. Macbeth's guilt and fear combined drive him to darker and more evil actions in an attempt to cover his past misdeeds. ?What man dare, I dare. Approach though like the rugged Russian bear, the armed rhinoceros, or th' Hyrcan tiger; Take any shape but that (Banquo) and my firm nerves shall never tremble.? (3.4.100-104) Macbeth is terribly frightened by the bloody ghost haunting him and is angered that the ghost revealed it self to him. His guilt causes him to proclaim he could take on a rhino, tiger or any other wild animal, but not Banquo's ghost. After his encounter with the ghost, Macbeth proceeds to visit the witches one last time to insure his security. After this last visit, Macbeth becomes overconfident and a tyrant, which cause his downfall. The use of supernatural in Macbeth, is a major factor in the suspenseful nature of his work. Without the witches, apparitions and the ghost, Macbeth could not have reached his downfall. The use of supernatural in Macbeth caused Macbeth to become a darker and more evil person with each