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About what time does this scene 1 take place? what is significant about this time?
around midnight. Midnight is considered the witching hour, and that bad things happen around midnight
Who is Fleance? Why would Fleance make Macbeth anxious about the future?
Fleance is Banquoâs son. This makes Macbeth nervous because the witches said that Banquo will father kingsâand Macbeth wants to be king.
Banquo brings up the witches again. Why does this bother Macbeth?
This bothers Macbeth because Banquo is the only one who knows what the witches said, and if the king is suddenly dead Banquo might get suspicious
After Banquo leaves, what does Macbeth see?
Macbeth begins to hallucinate and see a dagger floating in front of him, leading him to kill the king
What is Macbethâs emotional state at this time?
He is not very stableâhe is hallucinating, delusional, and rambling
Who rings the bell? Why?
Lady Macbeth rings the bell to signal Macbeth that is time to kill the king
What do you notice about the last lines of this scene?
They rhymeâmeaning something bad is coming
How does Lady Macbeth make sure that the grooms will not wake up?
She drugged them
Who is Donalbain?
Duncanâs younger son
What stops Lady Macbeth from killing Duncan?
She was reminded of her father when she saw him, and couldnât kill him
What does Macbeth hear a voice say as he kills Duncan?
God Bless us, Amen, Macbeth shall sleep no more.
Why is Macbeth being unable to pray important?
He canât say Amen, and that was supposed to mean that he has sinned
Why does the murder scene occurs off-stage?
it was too hard to pull of a realistic murder on stage
At the end of this scene, how does Lady Macbeth show herself to be stronger than her husband?
She is not as freaked out about the murder as Macbeth isâshe is able to go back and plant the daggers
What does the hand washing symbolize?
Washing off their guiltâblood on hands=guilty
Who are Macduff and Lennox?
Thanes that have come to collect Duncan to go to their next stop
What is the purpose of the porter scene?
To provide comic relief
Who is the porter?
The person guarding the castle gate
What is the condition of the porter and what is he joking about?
The porter is drunk from the party that night. He is joking about guarding the gates of hellâsaying that the knocking are sinners knocking on the gates of hell
Why is the porterâs joke ironic?
It is ironic because Macbeth has just killed the kingâso the situation inside the castle is hellish
What is an equivocator?
An equivocator is someone who uses ambiguous language on purposeâit can be interpreted in different ways on purpose
How do equivocators tie into the âfair is foulâŚâ theme?
because you never really know the real meaning of what is being said
How is Macbethâs demeanor different when Macduff and Lennox enter?
He is totally sane and calmâno longer crazy and hallucinating
What are the strange natural events that happened during the night?
Strong winds, screams, earthquakes, and owls hooting. When unnatural, evil things happen, nature reacts
Who discovers Duncanâs body?
Macduff
How does Lady Macbeth react to the news?
She faints
Who is suspected of the murder and why?
The guards because they were found with the daggers and Duncanâs blood on them
What is the next murder that Macbeth commits?
He killed the guards
Why did macbeth kill the guards?
He says it is because he was so overcome with grief once he found out Duncan was dead that he had to kill his killers. However, it also destroys the evidence that Macbeth was the one that killed duncan
What do Malcom and Donalbain do next? Why?
They flee to England (Malcom) and Ireland (Donalbain). They fear for their safety and think someone might try to kill them next
What three natural/unnatural events happen in this scene?
it is the middle of the day, but it is as dark as night
a falcon was caught by an owl
duncanâs horses went wild and ate themselves
What does the theme âcrimes against natureâ mean?
humans doing things they shouldnât do=nature doing things it shouldnât do
Who is suspected of hiring the grooms to kill Duncan? Why?
They suspect Malcom and Donalbain because they fled
Who will now become king of Scotland instead of Duncanâs sons?
Macbeth, because the sons are suspected of killing their father
Why is the coronation not performed on stage?
It is too hard to execute on stage
Who does NOT attend Macbethâs coronation? What might this foreshadow?
Macduff doesnât attend the coronation, foreshadowing that he will become Macbethâs nemisis
What do you notice about the last lines of this scene ?
they rhyme
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