The Annapolis Shakespeare a Company presents Macbeth

     Yesterday, the Annapolis Shakespeare Company put on a small, intimate performance of Macbeth for about fifty audience members in their interim theater space, which is located in the basement of an office building.  When first arriving, I wasn't too impressed and was a little hesitant. Once I was seated and the play began, I was definitely convinced otherwise.

      The play began with dark music and lights, which really set the scene for the great production of Macbeth to come. Every actor was in-character throughout the play and gave the performance their all, even though only a few people were watching. The small environment allowed the actors to make eye-contact with every single member of the audience, really making us feel like we were also part of the play.
   
      An actor that stood out to me in particular was the woman who played Lady Macbeth. Not only was her emotions for her character spot-on, but she also did a fabulous job delivering her lines. The way in which she acted and recited her lines really allows the audience to understand the Shakespearean language and what her character was trying to say.

      Overall, I would give this small performance of Macbeth an outstanding rating.  The actors were extraordinary, never once leaving me to feel bored and wanting to fall asleep, which says a lot about a near thee-hour play.  I was fully-invested in the story of Macbeth and loved every minute of it. From the costumes to the acting to the intimate audience, the production of Macbeth by the Annapolis Shakespeare Company was one of the best productions of Shakespeare I've ever seen.

Is it ever right to break the law?

 The law is a set of rules made by the government of a country, state, town, etc.  These rules are put in place to prevent civilians from doing radical things, or in some cases, the smallest of things.  They’re meant to keep us safe and orderly as a society, normally resulting in a consequence if broken. But, sometimes it seems like certain laws are irrational and selfish, as if whoever created the law was only thinking of themselves and not the whole population the law affects.  This was often the case in the mid 1900’s, a time where most of the United States was segregated.

James Farmer Jr., founder of the Congress of Racial Equality and leader in the Civil Rights Movement, created a rebellious and very risky plan to challenge/break the laws in towns of southern states.  His plan was to ride buses through these towns are challenge rules of the local bus stations, attempting to rattle and break the segregated seating and other rules regarding blacks riding buses in the south—He called these trips “Freedom Rides.”  Farmer risked his life and the safety of his many participants in order to fight for freedom and rights for blacks.  The rules of the towns were created by white political figures that were too narrow-minded and racist to consider the opinions of blacks.  Farmer’s courage and determination to challenge/break laws all for freedom and equality in the United States helped the Civil Rights Movement succeed greatly. 

James Farmer Jr.’s action demonstrate to others that breaking the law is okay when one is standing up for their own personal rights and/or the equality of a gender, ethnic group, racial background, etc., if the political figures of that region are being politically unjust, and not looking beyond their own personal thoughts on a topic.  This is when I believe that it is right to break the law.

Gender Prejudice - Minerva's Determination and Fight for Equality

In many of mid 20th century novels we have studied, a prejudice feeling of some sort is present. When the word prejudice is mentioned, one may just think about the color of a person's skin or their ethnicity, but it is important to remember that there are more types of prejudice feelings that occur. One of the biggest prejudices one may notice in the novel is the prejudice towards women and their rights in society, a problem that still occurs in modern day America. Minerva so desperately to be involved with politics and law, except for the that women are not allowed to go to Law School or practice law in the Dominican Republic. Minerva, full of courage and hope, proceeded to fight for rights and political freedom even without the support of her own mother. Although her way fight for women's rights were rebellious and eventually caused her life to come to an abrupt stop, she paved the way for many women in the future to speak out and fight for what they believe.

Alvarez's Diction and Use of "Jefe"

In the Time of Butterflies author, Julia Alvarez, uses diction to help capture the mood/atmosphere of the book. Her brilliant choice of words add emphasis to the story and reminds a reader of the Dominican setting of the novel. A particular Spanish word constantly used throughout the novel as a nickname for Trujillo is "Jefe," translating to "the boss" in English.  Not only does this remind one of the Hispanic roots of the novel, but it also hints that Trujillo is the man in charge of the chaotic, aggressive political system that spins out of control and eventually leads the Mirabal sisters to rebel against the government.  The nickname, used in a negative manner, shows the reader that Trujillo is the monster and main source behind all of the uproar and violence in the Dominican Republic, proving his fault and evilness as a ruler.
Alvarez does a fantastic job of capturing the feelings and raw emotions the girls have throughout the novel. From Minerva's determination to make a difference in the political system and study law to Patria's sorrow and depression following the loss of her child, Alvarez is able to give the reader an inside peek to the Mirabal sisters' lives and allow one to empathize with their hardships all through strength of her diction. Julia Alvarez's rich, well thought out use diction captures the mood of a story, adds a high level of emotion and emphasis, and really ties the story together as a whole.