Macbeth Act 2 Review

Three things Macbeth reveals in his dagger soliloquy

-He sees a dagger, and clutches it. Deciding, it was an item he was going to use.

-He feels compelled to murder King Duncan, due to the witches prophecies.

-Macbeth will go and murder King Duncan.

What is bothering Banquo?

The three weird sisters are preventing him from sleeping. “A heavy summons lies like lead upon me, And yet I would not sleep. Merciful powers, Restrain in me the cursed thoughts that nature Gives way to, in repose” (II.i. 6-8).

What does Macbeth request of Banquo?

He requests Banquo to stay loyal to him, and lead him to become a higher rank. “If you shall cleave to my consent, when ‘tis, It shall make honor for you” (II.i. 24).

Where do Banquo’s loyalties lie?

Banquo’s loyalties lie strongly with King Duncan. He lets Macbeth know that he will remain loyal to him. As long as his loyalty to the king remains unharmed. “But still keep My bosom franchised and allegiance clear, I shall be counseled” (II.i. 27).

What does Macbeth’s “dagger soliloquy” reveal about his character and current state of mind? 

It reveals that Macbeth is willing to commit the murder of King Duncan. He sees him as a threat to becoming the potential heir to the throne. “While I threat, he lives words to the heat of deeds too cold breath gives” (II.i. 59-60).

What feelings does Macbeth express in his dagger soliloquy?

He expresses feelings of guilt.

What does the bell signify at the end of Act 2 of scene 1?

The bell signifies that the murder is ready to happen.

How will Macbeth know it’s time to commit the murder?

Macbeth knows it's time to commit the murder, when he announces King Duncan’s death. “Hear it not, Duncan, for it is a knell That summons thee to heaven, or to hell” (II.i. 62-63).

What steps of the plan did Lady Macbeth do herself?

She had made the guards drunk, so they could lose their memory. Lady Macbeth puts the blood on the faces of King Duncan's chamberlains, and on their daggers. And, accuse them for killing the king. “Give me the daggers. The sleeping and the dead Are but as pictures. ‘Tis the eye of childhood That fears a painted devil. If he do bleed, I’ll gild the faces of the grooms withal, For it must seem their guilt” (II.ii. 50-54).

What steps of the plan did Macbeth do himself?

Macbeth kills King Duncan, because Lady Macbeth is unable to herself. “I have done the deed. Didn’t thou not hear a noise” (II.ii. 14).

Why was Lady Macbeth unable to kill Duncan herself?

Lady Macbeth was unable to kill Duncan herself, because she felt he had resembled too much of her father. “I laid their daggers ready, He could not miss ‘ em. Had he not resembled my father as he slept, I had done’t” (II.ii. 11-13).

Which character was sleeping in the bedroom next to the king?

Donalbain.

What are some of the things that Macbeth imagined/hallucinated during the crime? 

-Macbeth imagined one of the servants laughing and one crying “murder.”

-One of the servants cried “God bless us”, the other “Amen.”

-He thought he heard a voice cry “Sleep no more, Macbeth does murder sleep.”

-He thought he heard a voice still cry “Sleep no more,” to all the house. “Glamis hath murdered sleep, and therefore Cawdor Shall sleep no more. Macbeth shall sleep no more.”

What mistakes does Macbeth make in Act 2 of scene 2?  

Macbeth is unable to smear blood on the chamberlain’s swords. As well as, on their faces. And, is unable to frame the chamberlain’s for King Duncan’s murder.

What directions does Lady Macbeth give Macbeth as they hear knocking at the gate?

Lady Macbeth tells Macbeth to go back to the chamber, and put on his nightgown. “Hark, more knocking. Get on your nightgown, lest occasion call us, And show us to be watchers. Be not lost So poorly in your thoughts” (II.ii. 68-70).

How does Macbeth react to having just killed the king?  

Macbeth feels guilty and fearful after having just killed the king. “I am afraid to think what I have done. Look on’t again I dare not” (II.ii. 49).

How does Lady Macbeth react to the murder they just committed?

Lady Macbeth feels the same amount of guilt as Macbeth does. However, does not want to feel as cowardly as he does. “My hands are of your color, but I shame To wear a heart so white” (II.ii. 62).

Who discovers the murder of King Duncan?

Macduff.

Who does Lennox say committed the murder?

King Duncan’s chamberlain’s.

What evidence is there for who was to blame?

The Chamberlain’s daggers had been marked with blood. As well as, their hands/faces.

What happens to those blamed?

Macbeth will kill them.

“‘Twas a Rough night.” (2.3.61) Who says this, and how is it an example of an understatement?

Macbeth. It is an example of an understatement, because Macbeth had been able to successfully kill King Duncan.

”There’s daggers in men’s smiles.” Who says this, and what it is an example of?

Donalbain. It is an example of a metaphor. Comparing daggers to men’s smiles.

Why does Lady Macbeth faint in Act 2 of scene 3?

Lady Macbeth faints to create a diversion, so the men can have their attention on her. Instead of Macbeth whom they are asking about the murder of King Duncan. She does this, as a way to hide from Macbeth saying he actually killed King Duncan

What do Malcolm and Donalbain decide after the death of the king? Why do they decide this?

They decide to not involve themselves with the murder of their father, and shift away. They do this to protect themselves from any potential dangers, as being the sons of the king. And, potential heirs.

Whom might be an obstacle for Macbeth and Lady Macbeth going forward?

Malcolm might become an obstacle for Lady Macbeth/ Macbeth. He is already Prince of Cumberland, and Duncan’s eldest son.

Where do the brothers go?  Why do they leave?

Malcolm decides to go to England. Donalbain decides to go to Ireland. They leave to protect their safety of potentially getting killed as Duncan’s sons.

What do Malcolm and Donalbain think of the murder?

Malcolm and Donalbain feel they could be potentially next to be killed, as Duncan’s sons. They are scared for their own safety. “Our separated fortune shall keep us both the safer. Where we are, there’s daggers in men’s smiles. The near in blood, the nearer bloody” (II.iii.140-142).

Who is the Porter, what is he talking about, and what is his purpose in the play?

The Porter is the gate/door keeper of Macbeth’s castle. He is talking about a farmer who had hung himself. An equivocator who committed treason. An English tailor. Drinking provokes noise painting, sleep and urine. Lechery provokes the desire, but takes away the performance. Drinking lots of alcohol can persuade him and disheartens him; makes him stand to, and not stand to; equivocates him in a sleep. His purpose in the play is to provide comic relief, after Macbeth had killed the king.

List the unnatural events that take place around the time of Duncan’s murder.

-The darkness is taking over the light.

-A falcon was attacked and killed by a mouse hunting owl.

-Duncan’s horses had left their stalls, and eaten one another.

Why might comic relief be needed in the beginning of Act 2 of scene 3?

Comic relief might be needed to hide the truth that King Duncan is dead. And, that Macbeth had killed him. It is used to lighten the seriousness of what just had happened in the scene before, with humor.

How does the setting of Act 2 of scene 1 create a sense of foreboding?

The setting creates a sense of foreboding by showing that it is dark, and mysterious outside. “The moon is down, I have not heard the clock” (II.ii.1).

Who is crowned king at the end of Act 2 of scene 4?

Macbeth.

Blood is a reoccurring symbol in the play. How might blood be related to guilt in the play?

Blood might be related to guilt in the play, by signifying murder. Blood, shows the longing aftermath consequences Macbeth, and his wife would later have to face. Due to killing the king. And, shows evilness towards both characters by doing something unfixable.

How is sleep used as a symbol of guilt in act 2?

Sleep is used as a symbol of guilt in Act 2, to create voices to be heard from Macbeth. After having killed the king. Making him, feel even worse about doing so. Increasing the amount of regret he feels about killing him. “Still it cried “Sleep no more,” to all the house. Glamis hath murdered sleep, and therefore Cawdor shall sleep no more” (II.ii. 39-41).