Macbeth Act Two

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MacbethAct Two

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Plot summary exercise – Act Two


Act Two, Scene One – dramatic irony

Banquo and his son Fleance are on guard duty when Macbeth enters. Macbeth and Banquo’s conversation is full of dramatic irony. Can you find any examples?

Macbeth: I think not of them.Macbeth denies thinking about the witches, but we know this is a lie.

Banquo: Who’s there?Macbeth: A friend.

Macbeth calls himself a friend but he is already plotting against Banquo.

Macbeth: Good repose the while.Banquo: Thanks, sir; the like to you.

Macbeth is not going to bed, he is going to murder Duncan.


Is this a dagger?

Read Macbeth’s “Is this a dagger?” speech in Act Two, Scene One.

Macbeth’s vision of a dagger covered in blood occurs just before he murders Duncan. Initially, he cannot tell if the dagger is real or imaginary. He seems overpowered by evil, but then pulls himself together, determined to go ahead with the plan.


Is this a dagger?


Act Two, Scene Two

The scene opens with Lady Macbeth waiting for news of Duncan’s murder.

How does Shakespeare create suspense at this point?

Why do you think Shakespeare doesn’t actually shows us Duncan’s murder?

Why doesn’t Lady Macbeth murder Duncan herself?


Guilt

Read the whole of Act Two, Scene Two.

Do you think Macbeth and Lady Macbeth feel guilty about what they have done? What quotes can you find to support your answer?

But wherefore could not I pronounce ‘Amen’?

I am afraid to think what I have done

Wake Duncan with thy knocking! I would thou couldst!


Headline techniques


Images

There are many recurrent images in Macbeth. Can you think of any images that occur in Act Two?

sleep

blood

Did you think of these?

Look out for references to these images as you study the rest of the play.


Sleep

As soon as the crime has been committed, both Macbeth and others have difficulty sleeping.

What metaphors does Macbeth use to describe sleep in Act Two, Scene Two?

Methought I heard a voice cry, ‘Sleep no more!Macbeth does murder sleep – the innocent sleep,Sleep that knits up the ravelled sleave of care,The death of each day’s life, sore labour’s bath,Balm of hurt minds, great nature’s second course,Chief nourisher in life’s feast’

Can you find any other references to sleep in this act?


Blood

After murdering Duncan, Macbeth returns with blood on his hands. Lady Macbeth tells him to ‘wash this filthy witness from your hand’. Macbeth despairs that he will ever be able to clean his hands, asking ‘Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood / Clean from my hand?’

The blood acts as a metaphor for the evil crime they have committed, a crime that cannot simply be washed away. Like their guilt, the blood stains their minds.


Act Two, Scene Three

Images of sleep and blood recur in this scene. Macduff calls sleep ‘death’s counterfeit’ as he wakes the castle.

How many references to blood can you find in this scene? What different connotations does the word have?

The spring, the head, the fountain of your blood Is stopped

Their hands and faces were all badged with blood

His silver skin laced with his golden blood

This most bloody piece of work

The nea’er in blood / The nearer bloody


Questions – Act Two, Scene Three

Answer the following questions in as much detail as you can, using PEE when appropriate.

1. What do you think the purpose of the Porter’s speech is?

2. What significance does Lennox’s description of the storm have? (Lines 51–58)

3. How does Macbeth cover his tracks?

4. How convincing do you think Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are in this scene? How would you instruct Lady Macbeth to speak her lines?

5. Why do Malcolm and Donalbain flee?


Act Two, Scene Four

This short scene concludes the act. The Old Man, Ross and Macduff reflect upon events. Parallels are drawn between the unnatural murder and changes to nature itself.

What quotes can you find to illustrate these changes?

Who is suspected of the murder?

We learn from Macduff that Macbeth has become king – he has achieved his ambition.

What comment about ambition does Ross make?


Act Two – Who said what?

Documents

Macbeth Act Two