Deck 2: Act 2 (+ Shakespeare's drama terms)

Is this a dagger which I see before me, / The handle toward my hand?

Who: Macbeth. He sees an imaginary dagger. Shows his disturbed mind right before Duncan's murder.

Thou marshall'st me the way that I was going.

Who: Macbeth. The dagger leads him where he already planned to go. It doesn't make him choose murder; he'd already chosen.

Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood / Clean from my hand?

Who: Macbeth. Even an ocean couldn't wash away his guilt. Blood represents guilt.

A little water clears us of this deed.

Who: Lady Macbeth. She thinks washing off the blood solves the problem. She underestimates the deeper consequences.

There's daggers in men's smiles.

Who: Donalbain. Friendly-looking people may be dangerous. Reinforces appearance vs. reality and explains why Duncan's sons flee.

What does Macbeth see before killing Duncan, and what causes it?

An imaginary dagger. He realizes it's tied to the bloody business already on his mind.

How do Macbeth and Lady Macbeth react differently right after Duncan's murder?

Macbeth is overwhelmed by fear and guilt. Lady Macbeth is calm and practical, focused on hiding evidence.

What mistake does Macbeth make with the daggers, and what does Lady Macbeth do?

He accidentally brings them out with him. She takes them back to Duncan's room and places them with the guards.

Why does Macbeth kill Duncan's guards?

He claims anger over Duncan's death, but it also means the guards can't defend themselves or answer questions.

Why do Malcolm and Donalbain leave?

They fear they may be killed next.

How does Macbeth change from Act 2 to Act 3?

After Duncan's murder he's filled with guilt and fear. By Act 3, he deals with fear by planning more violence.

Why does Malcolm leave after Duncan's murder?

He fears he could be killed next.

Soliloquy

A character is alone onstage and speaks private thoughts aloud.

Aside

A character says something the audience hears but the other characters onstage aren't meant to hear.

Dramatic irony

The audience knows something important that a character does not know.

Quick guide: alone + private thoughts

Soliloquy

Quick guide: audience hears it, other characters aren't meant to

Aside

Quick guide: audience knows something a character doesn't

Dramatic irony

Duncan praises Inverness while the audience knows Macbeth and Lady Macbeth plan his murder.

Dramatic irony

Macbeth is alone and speaks about the dagger he sees.

Soliloquy

Macbeth reveals Malcolm is an obstacle while other characters are onstage.

Aside

Lady Macbeth welcomes Duncan warmly while the audience knows she's helping plan his murder.

Dramatic irony

Macbeth says "Stars, hide your fires…" while others remain onstage.

Aside