"Macbeth"

I found this tragedy interesting although I relied on the sub-titles to understand the development of the storylines most of the time. The classical verses were just too difficult to catch-up. This tragedy had a lot of suspense and the plot moved at a brisk pace, which I felt that these two characteristics were the strength of "Macbeth". I was always full of anticipation to know how the storyline developed when Macbeth started to show his desire towards the throne. I wanted to know whether Macbeth would kill King Duncan or not eventually?

I found the elements of prophecy and violence appear frequently in "Macbeth". Macbeth is in particular a violent play. Interestingly, most of the killings take place offstage, but throughout the play the characters provide the audience with horrific descriptions of the killings, from the opening scene where the captain describes Macbeth and Banquo wading in blood on the battlefield, to the endless references to the bloodstained hands of Macbeth and his wife. There are two bloody battles: in the first, Macbeth defeats the invaders; in the second, he is slain and beheaded by Macduff. Throughout the play there are a series of murders: Duncan, Duncan’s chamberlains, Banquo, Lady Macduff, and Macduff’s son all come to bloody ends. By the end of the action, Macbeth use the bloody deaths of others (those who seem to become threats to his throne) to satisfy his desires to be a king.

Besides that, prophecy from the three witches actually sets Macbeth’s plot in motion—namely, the witches’ prophecy that Macbeth will first become Thane of Cawdor and then the king of Scotland. The weird sisters make a number of other prophecies: they tell us that Banquo’s heirs will be kings for many generations after Macbeth, they warn that Macbeth should beware of Macduff, that Macbeth is safe till Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane, and that no man born of woman can harm Macbeth. Save for the prophecy about Banquo’s heirs, all of these predictions are fulfilled within the course of the play. Still, it is left deliberately ambiguous whether some of them are self-fulfilling—for example, whether it is only Macbeth’s wishes to be a king or is fated to be the king of Scotland. Is Macbeth being blessed by the gods to be a king?

In conclusion, I feel that Macbeth is worth watching because it portrays how someone who is greedy towards power and wealth eventually will receive bad consequences and punishment.

By: Chuah Kar Wooi (134185)

B. Ed. (TESL)

Group 21

"Mak Yong"

The Mak Yong is an ancient dance drama, an all-inclusive theatre performance combining dance, opera, drama, comedy, vocal and instrumental music, gestures and elaborate costumes. Their make-up is very distinct especially around the eyes.

Experts believe that Mak Yong appeared well before the Islamization of the country. The theatre is believed to have originated from Kelantan several centuries ago as a popular court entertainment. Mak Yong is also performed for ritual purposes related to healing practices.

A typical Mak Yong performance opens with an offering followed by dances, acting and music as well as spontaneous monologues and dialogues. A single story can be presented over several consecutive nights in a series of three-hour performances. In the traditional village setting, the performances are held on a temporary stage constructed of wood and palm leaves.

The dance in Mak Yong performance is divided into four sections: namely, sitting, kneeling, squatting, standing and walking. The lead dancer and the supporting dancers must be able to sing the haunting melody.

Except for three men, all the characters in a Mak Yong are played by women. It is the main dancer, called Mak Yong who develops the story, which is usually from ancient Malay folk tales with its royal characters, divinities and clowns.The Mak Yong is supported by a cast of 16 performers and backed by a traditional music ensemble consisting of gongs, drums and rebab. Music and melody add colour to the dance.

Mak Yong has been preserved until the present day thanks largely to oral transmission, which requires long years of training. However, in today’s society, few young people are willing to commit to such rigorous apprenticeships. As a result, this important tradition is undergoing steady decline.

By: Chuah Kar Wooi (134185)
B. Ed. (TESL)
Group 21

"Open text"

What are you writing?
Nothing.
[They drink.]
Not writing?
No.
Why not?
Nothing to say.
Doesn’t stop others. Written out?
Yes.
[They drink.]
Now, what are you writing?
Nothing.

When the first time I saw the extract, I had no ideas on how to perform it with my partner because it was my first time to come across a play that did not state clearly the amount of and the gender of the speakers. I did not know what were the feelings and emotions of the speakers because there were no tone, pitch, and attitude of the speakers involved. In fact, there was no mention of the setting at all. No stage direction was given to show how the storyline developed.

"Whoa… it was interesting, I never came across something so ambiguous in its nature." I found it a challenging task. However, Dr. Edwin used another terms -- "total freedoms of interpretation" to describe this extract. Ok… I suddenly was able to grab the idea… it was actually depended on the readers how to interpret this extract. Readers could either interpret these lines positively or negatively.

If readers viewed this extract positively, they might feel that the first speaker was actually challenging the second speaker to perform better, if the second speaker accepted the challenges, it might motivate him to work harder, and therefore, created healthy competition among them.

On the other hand, if the readers viewed the extract negatively, they might feel that the second speaker was actually questioning the first speaker, suspicious that the first speaker was secretive and tried to hide something from the information of the second speaker.

In fact, I was deeply impressed by the notion that these dialogues of this extract was actually happening between two chicken. Whoa, it was creative! However, I got another idea… these dialogues could actually take place between two wood-peckers also…indeed it was not writing, it was searching for worms to feed its stomach!

By: Chuah Kar Wooi (134185)
B. Ed. (TESL)
Group 21

"Shakespeare Wallah"

Initially, I felt that this movie developed too slow because I am the person who always likes complicated scenes and brisk plot.

However, this movie started to grap my attention when Miss Lizzie and her family were trapped at the highways and didn't know what their next steps would be. Then, the storyline became more exciting when the hero, Sanju appeared and saved the poor family from further disaster.

Then, after viewing the whole movie, I developed another perception towards Sanju. Rather than being the typically ideal hero, Sanju appeared to have too much flaws in his character. He is egoistic and quick in temper. Yet, these flaws made him became more vivid to the audience.

Rather than immediately choosing Miss Lizzie as his soul partner, Sanju actually had a difficult time choosing between Miss Lizzie and Miss Manjula. Manjula was his present lover, and yet, Sanju felt some kind of passion and desires towards Lizzie. Only until the very end of the plot did Sanju make up his mind and chose Lizzie as his true love.

However, rather than just live happily after with Lizzie, Sanju had new conflicts with her. His male ego could not let Lizzie perform and act in public, thinking that letting his wife work outside was a shame to him.Sanju forgot that he did love Lizzie initially due to her talents in performing drama.

Although Sanju opposed Lizzie acting publicly, Lizzie refused to give up on her acting.She alaways had faith in acting.In fact, Lizzie would a symbol in bringing out feminist idea because she never really did surrender to Sanju's demand.She had her stands and principles in her life, which would not change even for the sake of her relationship with Sanju.

In conclusion, "Shakespeare Wallah" was a nice movie to watch if you really knew how to appreciate the subtle message that the characters tried to bring out -- changes (either in poeple's personalities, perceptions or events)are the eternal truth of the world.

By: Chuah Kar Wooi (134185)
B.Ed. (TESL)
Group 21

"Tiresias"

In "Oedipus The King", Oedipus calls for Tiresias, a blind oracle, to foresee the future of Thebes.In that time,everyone's fate is predicted by the oracles, and the elders believe that it is a sin not to believe in them.

Although Tiresias is blind, he claims that he can see the truth better than Oedipus. Actually,Tiresias is called to help finding the murderer of King Laius.Tiresias, who charges Oedipus with the murder, saying "You are the curse, the corruption of land!" Oedipus is shocked and outraged at this charge and he claims that Tiresias and Creon are the true perpetrators,who engage in a conspiracy against the crown.

Before Tiresias leaves, he warns that although Oedipus is now strong and can physically see, he will soon be weak and blind.In the end, as the oracle has predicted, Oedipus kills his father(King Laius)and marries his mother (Jocasta)and also blinds himself with Jocasta's pins.

In conclusion, no one can withstand the blows of fate, just like no one can avoid death. Therefore, the pity and terror aroused by Oedipus' tragic fall brings about a catharsis and the realization that power of fate cannot be overcome by will - even by the will of a king.

By:Chuah Kar Wooi(134185)
B.Ed.(TESL)