Weekly Assignments

Macbeth

Task 1

Initial response

In the play, Duncan has the highest power because he enjoys the status of the king. The analysis of the play reveals that power varies among people of society depending on their wealth and status. Duncan’s status is visible in the way he maintains influence over the people. Although Macbeth murders him later he continued to rule until he is alive. His orders are never declined because people are bound to obey the king. On becoming king, Macbeth earns the same power and status. This reflects the link between wealth and status. His high rank allows him to abuse the power of highness. He killed many people but no one stood against him CITATION Wil19 \l 1033 (Shakespeare, 2019). No one stopped him from killing innocents including women and children. His soldiers could not refuse his orders because they lack power.

The play portrays the low status of the three witches. They lack power due to their low ranks and are bound to obey the king. People of low status are devoid of personal will. This is discernible in the scene when Macbeth orders them to explain the prophecy. The witches irrespective of their supernatural power cannot influence the king. They are entrapped in a situation where they have to follow orders from higher authority.

Many characters in the play change their status between low and high. However, Macbeth is the only character who also appears as a dominant and authoritative figure. He is the one who challenges the power of Duncan and murders him. The power of Lady Macbeth also transforms into the play. She enjoys a high rank due to her marriage with the king. She began to lose her power when she turns to be a lunatic. The status of Duncan is changed when he is killed.

Replies

I agree with the post of Riane T Abaya because he provides a clear view on the status, power and ranks acquired by the characters in Macbeth. The post explains that some characters enjoy a stagnant position while others change throughout the play. I agree with her viewpoint that Duncan holds significant power and remains the most prominent character in the play. His power convinced people to follow his rules and stay loyal to him. I agree that his power has obstacle him from seeing the challenges. He is so obsessed with his position that he ignores the risks that caused his demise later. I agree that lower status is visible in the characters of two chamberlains who are serving as guards. They lack power and have to follow the orders of the king. They are also murdered by Macbeth depicting their low ranks in society. they are of less importance.

I agree with the post of Dina M Coughlan. In her discussion, she identifies the characters rightly who enjoy high and low powers. I agree with the viewpoint that people high in wealth and status are considered as more powerful. Duncan is the most powerful figure in the play that is due to his money and kingship. I also agree that the chamberlains represent the characters that are low in status and rank. The differences between Macbeth and the chamberlains can be considered for identifying the role of status. The chamberlains follow orders because they lack power or authority. Compared to them Duncan holds the superior power and give orders. He is well aware of his position. The people who are low in ranks cannot decline to follow the king's rules. The prominent characters like Banquo and Macbeth move between lower and high status.

Reference

Shakespeare, W. (2019). Macbeth. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.

Task 2

Initial post

Desmond in his book "Eviction Poverty and Profit in the American City" provides a critique of the evictions faced by the citizens. The author managed to write the book in coherent manner. Each chapter provides an in-depth view of the factors that contribute to the evictions of Americans. I think Desmond has conducted thorough research for analyzing the topic of housing and eviction. The central idea of the book draws a clear line between the landlords and tenants by giving a situational assessment. The author used monetary value for explaining two sides of eviction. He mentions, “When a tenant didn’t pay $500, her landlord lost $500” CITATION Mat162 \l 1033 (Desmond, 2016). The facts mentioned by Desmond depicts that he has undergone significant research. the author has illustrated the social settings such as the middle-class and upper-class households who take advantage of the situations.

Desmond makes a convincing debate by highlighting the exploitation of tenants. The landlords take advantage of rising rental prices. This puts pressure on the poor who lose their paying power. The author has emphasized in Milwaukee due to high eviction rates. Desmond mentions, “Milwaukee (15.54 per day) (+1.91 over US average)” CITATION Mat162 \l 1033 (Desmond, 2016). This indicates that he has collected facts for assessing the rate of evictions in different states. The reason for choosing Milwaukee is due to rising evictions. The findings of the author also suggest that the rates are different in different cities. The circumstances and state policies also influence such trends.

The narrative voice of Arleen presents the real picture of eviction. She has to work full time for paying rent of $137 per month. The price is high and she faces difficulty in managing her needs. She walked to the private rental houses when her name didn’t appear in the subsidized list. Most of the people living in rental houses are unable to meet their basic needs and rely on food stamps. But this is not important to the owners CITATION Bas00 \l 1033 (Roos, 2010). They are only concerned about charging rents and making money. Desmond explains the complications of “a formal eviction that involved sheriffs and movers could run around $600 when you included the court filing charge and process-server fee” CITATION Mat162 \l 1033 (Desmond, 2016). On one side landowners are making enormous profits and eviction patents have increased business for the movers. But on the other side it has detrimental impacts on the poor who are at the losing end. Majority of the tenants have shifted many homes and apartments that affect their personal life. the actions of owners are faster than the Milwaukee PD.

I think there is a need for addressing the issue of evictions because it has adverse impacts on the lives of citizens. The practice of charging high prices is adverse to the tenants. Strong policy measures can define the rights of tenants and undermine opportunities for exploitation.

Response 1

I like the post of Riley S. Odams as he manages to provide an in-depth analysis of the book. The most convincing thing about the book is that Desmond managed to build a link between qualitative research and quantitative factors. I agree with Odam's views that the book explains the methods of research and their usability in an effective manner. The inclusion of example from page 59 highlights the difficulties faced by tenants. The practice of expelling tenants out of their apartments is very common in the United States. This causes inconvenience and difficulty for the citizens. Landlords pressurize tenants to pay money on time and their inability to pay rents results in their eviction. The author mentions, “there is money to be made on lead,” to a room of landlords who more often lost money trying to abate it” (Desmond, 2016). The landlords often adopt selfish attitudes for gathering rents but they neglect the financial position of the tenants.

I agree with Odam's that the impacts of eviction are worst for the poor. They have to change many places and many apartments that affect the quality of life. The author of the book has relied on home metrics for people of different statuses. I agree with the post that the author has managed to explain the issues of eviction faced by people of Milwaukee. People have to work full time just for paying their rents but still, they lack security of housing. I think Odam's highlights the right facts by stating that the housing system does not support the poor or middle class. People in different states of America are facing similar issues while the prices of housing are hiking. This is quite unfair for the tenants that they are not given an extension for paying rents. Such practices also highlight that the owners are exploiting tenants. I agree with the concerns of Odam’s that the government must adopt effective policy measures for providing support to the poor who lack access to housing. Desmond has researched the topic well and covered all areas of the country that poses high challenges for the tenants.

Response 2

I like the post of Rebecca A. Bianchi because she has managed to offer a brief analysis of the contents explained by Desmond in the book. Desmond has undergone a great deal of research for presenting his views on eviction. The book is well written and presented in a narrative manner. I agree with the views of Rebecca on Arleen because she identifies the reason is her lower background. The poor in the country face the complexities in finding the right place to live. Poor are not treated appropriately that depicts the ineffective role of the state in managing resources. I agree that hundreds of poor are evicted every month in America due to their financial instability CITATION Mat162 \l 1033 (Desmond, 2016). Many of them demand an extension for paying their rents but the owners are inclined to rent their homes to new tenants. Finding a new place at affordable rents is not easy due to housing inflation. I think Rebecca makes a right suggestion that there is a need for addressing the issue of housing in the United States and provide affordable housing to the poor.

I agree that evictions affect the personal lives of the tenants. Every aspect of their lives is influenced that include emotional, financial and social activities. It is not reasonable to throw them out of their places for not paying rents. There must be some sort of support for such tenants. I agree that unemployment is one of the major factors that contribute to eviction. The poor and middle-class are victims of eviction in Boston due to the high unemployment rates. Lack of jobs and low wages also undermine their ability to pay rents. The solution requires a strong policy that compensates poor citizens by providing them with affordable housing. I agree that Desmond has researched on Milwaukee for identifying the issues of rental housing and high rents. The inclusion of statistics such as “Milwaukee (15.54 per day) (+1.91 over US average)” CITATION Mat162 \l 1033 (Desmond, 2016) adds more clarity to the argument. I agree that another important point mentioned by Desmond is off-season evictions. As eviction rates are consistently rising there is a need for addressing the issue.

References

Desmond, M. (2016). Evicted Property and Profit in the American City. Crown Publisher.

Roos, D. (2010). How Gentrification Works. Retrieved 03 04, 2018, from https://money.howstuffworks.com/gentrification2.htm