Macbeth Act II

Act II, scene i summary at the castle, banquo and his son can’t sleep b/c of bad dreams/bad feelings-king Duncan is giving presents to the Macbeths, including a diamond for Lady Macbeth-Macbeth lies about not thinking about the witches words, and tell Banquo he’ll reward him if he remains loyal to him, but Banquo says he will remain loyal to Duncan-Macbeth, alone, starts hallucinating about a dagger, that’s bloody and points toward Duncan. This encourages Macbeth to follow through
Act II, scene ii summary -lady macbeth is emboldened by drink, but she couldn’t kill Duncan b/c he looks like her father-macbeth has killed the king himself but with Donalbain in the second room-Macbeth is unable to pray, he thinks its b/c of his guilt-Macbeth has accidentally brought the daggers w/ him but he refuses to go put them back due to his guilt-Lady Macbeth decides to replace the daggers w/ the guards herself-Macbeth feels permanently stained by King Duncan’s blood. Lady Macbeth says she’s guilty for this murder too, but is not remorseful. someone knocks on the door…
Why is Macbeth distrustful of Banquo? because Banquo knows of the witches’ prophecy, so he knows that Macbeth has a possible motive for killing Duncan
Why was Banquo up late? he was having nightmares of the witches
What hallucination does Macbeth have? a bloody dagger floating in front of him pointing at Duncan
Why didn’t Lady Macbeth kill Duncan? because he looked like her father sleeping
What does Macbeth hear a voice saying? that he murdered sleep
Act II, scene iii summary -porter, drunk, is walking to open the door, and serves as comic relief. He says he’s opening the door to hell, and all these random people who would be walking through-Macduff asks why it took so long for the porter to open the door, and he goes on about the effects of alcohol (including sexual inhibition) -Macbeth complains its been a rought night, and Lennox says it was wild outside too-Macduff has discovered King Duncan dead and is yelling and compares his corpse to a temple. Lady Macbeth asks what’s going on , but Macudff can’t bring himself to tell her. Macbeth claims he has killed the guards in rage after “discovering” Duncan. Lady Macbeth pretends to faint and is carried out-Donalbain and Malcolm, not truly believing guards are the murders, leave in fear that they are next. They separate, one to Ireland and one to England for safety. The believe that there is a traitor that’s really killed the king
Act II, scene iv summary Ross and an old man talk of a falcon being killed by a mouse, and Duncan’s horses going wild and eating eachother-Macduff says there’s suspicion that Donalbain and Malcolm are responsible, b/c they ran away-Macbeth has been named king, and Macduff decides not to attend the coronation, showing his suspicion of Macbeth
Who kills the framed guards? Macbeth
How does Lady Macbeth react to Duncan’s death? she “faints”
Why do Donalbain and Malcolm leave Scotland? they fear it was actually a traitor responsible for their father’s death, and that they would be next
Why is Macbeth named king instead of Malcolm? because his flight to England makes him look guilty
In Scene 1, to whom is Banquo speaking? What does he (Banquo) seem to be uneasy about? His son, Fleance. He can’t sleep because he’s having bad feelings after a nightmare about the witches.
What had Banquo dreamed of? What does Macbeth say of them? Is he lying? the witches and their prophecies. Macbeth lies, saying he hasn’t been thinking about them.
What does Macbeth hint of to Banquo? He says they’ll speak of the prophecies at a later time. He then tells Banquo that if he remains loyal to him, he will be greatly rewarded. However, Banquo says he will remain loyal to Duncan.
In Scene 2, what is the significance of the “fatal bellman”? another omen, an owl screeching. another sign of supernatural/eerie occurrences showing that something foul is happening
What is the significance of Macbeth’s not being able to say “amen” in response to the servants’ drugged utterances of “God bless us?” Why does Lady Macbeth chide he husband? he can’t bring himself due to guilt from murdering Duncan. Because even though she’s also guilty, she is not remorseful. He’s also brought the daggers out accidentally, not placing them on the guards and refuses to go back to do so.
What does Lady Macbeth mean by saying, “My hands are of your color, but I shame to wear a heart so white?” she knows that she’s also guilty for this murder, but she doesn’t feel remorseful like Macbeth.
In Scene 3, who is the new character who questions the porter? Whom does he go to wake? What does he discover? Macduff, he has come to get King Duncan. He walks in to find Duncan murdered.
Who do Lennox and Macduff think have killed the king? On what evidence? The guards, because their blades and clothing are covered in blood.
What do Duncan’s sons say they must do? Why? They need to leave Scotland because they might be next.
In Scene 4, what omens do Ross and the old man comment upon indicating something foul has taken place? the weather is terrible, and it seems like night even during day. A falcon has been killed by a mouse. Duncan’s horses have gone wild and eaten eachother
What position will Macbeth assume now? Why not Duncan’s sons? King of Scotland. Malcolm and Donalbain are suspicious because they fled Scotland immediately after their father’s murder
“Is this a dagger which I see before me, The Handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee. I have thee not, and yet I see thee still. Art thou not, fatal vision, sensible To feeling as to sight? or art thou but A dagger of the mind, a false creation, Proceeding from the heat-oppressed brain?” (Act II, scene i) Macbeth; Is this really a dagger I see before me, ready for me to wield? I see it, but I cannot hold it. Are you really there? Or are you just a figment of my imagination from all this pressure I’m under?
“I go, and it is done: the bell invites me. Hear it not, Duncan, for it is a knell That summons thee to heaven, or to hell.” (Act II, scene i) Macbeth; (bell has rung right after his death) I’ve done the deed, and the bell is calling me. Duncan can’t hear it b/c he’s dead and is being summoned to either heaven or hell
“Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood clean from my hand? No, this my hand will rather the multitudinous seas incarnadine, making the green one red.” (Act II, scene ii) Macbeth; the blood, or his guilt, can never be washed away. Not even a sea can wash the “blood” from his hands.
“Methought I heard a voice cry ‘Sleep no more! Macbeth does murder sleep’, the innocent sleep, Sleep that knits up the ravell’d sleeve 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.” (Act II, scene ii) Macbeth;