MACBETH

ACT II

1. Might Banquo suspect that Macbeth is up to foul play?

• After Lady Macbeth faints to divert attention, Banquo realizes that there is something behind the murder that calls for investigation.

• He feels that the company of nobles is shaken with fears and suspicions; but he puts his trust in God and declares himself the foe of whatever secret intention the treason that has slain the king may yet have in store.

2. Why does Macbeth kill Duncan even though he is disturbed by the thought?

• Macbeth decides to kill Duncan because of his ambition to become king, suggested by the predictions of the Witches.

• Although he is often hesitant at first, Lady Macbeth spurs him on by questioning his manhood.

• Finally, his desire to be the new king of Scotland gets the better of him.

3. What supernatural elements do Macbeth and Lady Macbeth refer to after

the murder? • Macbeth is hearing voices “sleep no more…”• Macbeth hears knocking; the knocking at the

door parallels the knocking of Macbeth’s heart• The unnatural killing of Duncan has caused

havoc in nature:– Storms – Darkness during the day– Owls killing hawks– Horses eating each other

4. How does Lady Macbeth react to Macbeth’s hysterical behaviour and panic after he has murdered the king? What does she do for him?

• Lady Macbeth soothes him and tells him to wash his hands, but notices he’s still carrying the daggers he used to kill Duncan.

• Macbeth refuses to return to the scene of the crime.

• Lady Macbeth, furious, runs off to plant the daggers on the attendants

5. What line suggests that Macduff has become suspicious of Macbeth?

• When Macduff says, “No, cousin. I’ll to Fife,” instead of going to Scone, we might interpret that as him being suspicious of Macbeth.

• The fact that he says he won't go to Scone to see Macbeth crowned seems as though maybe he's suspicious, but keeping it to himself.

6. What is ironic about Macduff’s first words to Lady Macbeth?

• Macduff is addressing the woman who has consistently shown herself to be cold, cruel, sadistic, remorseless, and bloodthirsty.

• He assumes, because she is a woman, that she might actually die if he were to describe the horrible scene he has just witnessed in the murdered king's chamber.

• In actuality, Lady Macbeth is the one who prompted Duncan’s murder.

7. Why do the two Princes flee Scotland?

• Malcolm flees to England and Donalbain to Ireland. • The brothers fear that the murderer is still among

them, and they do not want to risk their lives by staying around.

• Donalbain says that there are "daggers in men's smiles," and they do not trust anyone around them.

• Duncan has just proclaimed Malcolm heir to the throne, and they fear that someone is out to murder the entire family.

• They decide to go to separate places so that if one is followed, the other will survive.

8. What is the purpose of the old man?

• The anonymous old man represents experience and memory, and is at least 70 years old – "Threescore and ten I can remember well" he says

in II.iv.1• He comments on the disturbances in nature

on the night of Duncan's murder, unprecedented in his recollection.

9.What is the significance of Duncan’s horses eating each other?

• Nature is out of sync because of Duncan's murder.

• The balance between good and evil has been tipped in favor of evil with Macbeth's heinous crime against a divinely appointed king.

10. What does Macduff decide to do regarding Macbeth’s coronation?

• Somehow, Macduff suspects that Macbeth has not gotten his new titles through honest deeds, so Macduff decides to not go to the coronation--why should he honor a man who is likely false?

• Macduff's refusing to go to Macbeth's coronation is the first sign in the play that suggests that he is suspicious of Macbeth.

Glamis hath murdered sleep, and therefore Cawdor Shall sleep no more. Macbeth shall sleep no more.

• Macbeth speaks this line after he has murdered Duncan

• Macbeth shows symptoms of guilt; he will no longer be able to easily rest after what he has done.

• Macbeth is anguished; he knows the consequences of this murder.

Infirm of purpose!Give me the daggers. The sleeping and the dead

Are but as pictures;

• Lady Macbeth speaks these lines to a distraught Macbeth after the murder

• She is scolding Macbeth for not doing what he was supposed to do and frame the guards; she demands he gives her the daggers

• In reference to Macbeth hearing voices, she tells him that people who are sleeping or dead cannot hurt him anymore than pictures can.

My hands are of your color, but I shameTo wear a heart so white.

• Lady Macbeth speaks these lines after she replaced the daggers with Duncan’s guards.

• When she returns, she scolds Macbeth by telling him that her "hands are of [his] color," meaning she, too, had blood on her hands now from carrying the daggers, but that she "shames to wear a heart so white," meaning she plans on behaving strongly, and not being reduced to the cowardice that has taken over Macbeth.

Who can be wise, amazed, temp'rate, and furious,Loyal and neutral, in a moment? No man.

Th' expedition of my violent loveOutrun the pauser, reason.

• Macbeth speaks this line to Macduff when he asks why Macbeth killed Duncan’s guards

• He explains how reason left him and emotion, his love for Duncan, took over.

• He covers himself by saying that any man who really loved his king could do no other than kill those who killed him.

…Continued…

• Notice how Macbeth indirectly calls himself a hero; he not only evades any condemnation for killing the guards, but also makes himself out a loyal Thane and follower of Duncan for having done so.

• What great Thane wouldn't avenge his king? He thereby claims to love Duncan more than the others--for they controlled their love, while he could not--his love is "violent" love.

Malcolm and Donalbain, the king’s two sons,Are stol'n away and fled, which puts upon them

Suspicion of the deed.

• Macduff is speaking• After the murder, Malcolm and Donalbain, the

king’s two sons, have run away and fled, which makes them the prime suspects.