Going the Distance ✔️

Chapter ten.

October.

"Right," Mr Saltsman said, "I assume you all have done the homework assignment I gave to you yesterday." Honestly, I was just glad that we didn't skip class during English. "I asked you to answer a statement about the Shakespeare play 'Macbeth.'" Everyone mumbled and I smiled, rereading what I wrote in reply to the statement. I did that when we came home from ditching and I offered to help Liam, but he refused. He told me that he didn't study unless it was during our study date.

"Did you do it?" I whispered to Liam who slouched in his chair beside me.

Liam chuckled. "You're stupid if you don't know the answer."

I rolled my eyes and ignored his comment as the teacher began to speak again. "I asked you to discuss the role that blood plays in Macbeth, particularly immediately following Duncan's murder." Mr Saltsman glanced around the classroom and his eyes landed on somebody at the front. "Ashley, can you please read what you wrote?"

Ashley, looking tall and thin with blond hair, stood up and glanced down at her paper. "Blood represents both life and guilt in the play. While initially, Macbeth feels the guilt, it is not until later that Lady Macbeth understands the seriousness of her part in the plan to murder Duncan. Her inability to get out the 'damned spot' shows her guilt is more than superficial." She finished and sat down again.

"Very nice," Mr Saltsman said as he glanced around the classroom again, "Louisa?"

I didn't expect my name to be called, but I was glad because I was happy with what I wrote. Liam chuckled beside me and I shot him a glare before standing up and clearing my throat. "Blood is always a symbol for life. It is what literally keeps the human body alive. Blood can also symbolize passion or emotionality as opposed to mind which represents intellect and rationality. In this play, blood represents life and ambition for Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, but it ends up representing guilt, especially for Lady Macbeth for her part in motivating the assassination, which was a terrible, bloody act."

Mr Saltsman smiled. "Good job."

I sat back down and Liam leaned over. "You're such a show off."

"Liam," Mr Saltsman said, "would you like share what you wrote in front of the class?"

Liam leaned back in his chair, placing his hands behind his head. "Nah, I'm good."

The class chuckled as Mr Saltsman crossed his arms over his chest. "Come on, Liam. Share what you wrote."

"Well, that's the thing," Liam said, "I haven't written anything down."

Mr Saltsman laughed. "Of course you didn't," he said, "that's a detention for you."

Liam groaned. "Seriously?"

Mr Saltsman shrugged. "Unless you want to answer the statement from the top of your head."

Liam glanced at me and I wanted to burst out laughing at how much Liam had gotten himself into so much trouble already. I shrugged. "Don't look at me for help." I mumbled under my breath.

Liam glared at me and cleared his throat. He stood up and leaned on the desk, collecting his thoughts. "What was the statement again?"

"Discuss the role that blood plays in Macbeth, particularly immediately following Duncan's murder." Mr Saltsman repeated, looking quite amused and I knew I would enjoy this too.

Liam sighed. "Well, uh, in the play," Liam was struggling to find the right words, "blood plays a huge role because it could represent a lot of things. Like anger because it's red and it can represent life because we are human beings and we carry blood and when we lose blood, we die."