Macbeth Acts 2 & 3 Study Guide

Characterization

Macbeth

• Titles: Thane of Glamis and Cawdor

• Conflict: Tormented by ambition; undergoes psychological turmoil.

• Paranoia: Becomes increasingly paranoid after Duncan's murder.

• Dependence: Relies on Lady Macbeth for guidance and support.

• Evolution: Transforms into a tyrannical ruler.

• Hallucinations: Experiences visions, notably Banquo's ghost, illustrating his guilt.

Lady Macbeth

• Character: Macbeth's wife, ambitious and manipulative.

• Planning: Orchestrates King Duncan's murder.

• Critique: Mocks Macbeth's hesitations about committing murder.

• Action: Chooses not to kill Duncan herself.

• Influence: Her power begins to decline in Act 3.

Banquo

• Role: Thane and Macbeth's friend.

• Suspicion: Poses a threat to Macbeth due to the witches' prophecy about his descendants.

• Outcome: Killed by hired murderers as Macbeth tries to eliminate threats.

• Integrity: Resists temptation, acts honorably.

Witches

• Presence: Three witches reveal Macbeth's fate.

• Role in Chaos: Remain unseen in Act 2; return in Act 3 as instigators of confusion.

• Hecate's Influence: Their leader, Hecate, promotes Macbeth's overconfidence by warning that security is a great enemy of mortals.

Duncan

• Character Role: The deceased king; not present in Acts 2 and 3.

Malcolm

• Identity: Eldest son of Duncan.

• Description: Cautious and strategic; flees to England, showcasing his awareness of danger and suspicion from others.

Ross

• Affiliation: One of Duncan's Thanes; Thane of Cawdor.

Donalbain

• Identity: Younger son of Duncan, similar strategic and cautious qualities as Malcolm.

Macduff

• Introduction: Portrayed as honorable and loyal.

• Discovery: Finds Duncan's body; refuses to attend Macbeth's coronation, setting the stage for rebellion.

Lennox and Ross

• Observation: Noblemen commenting on political unrest; Lennox exhibits sarcasm reflecting growing discontent with Macbeth.

Vocabulary

Act 2 Vocabulary

1. Dagger (n.): A short, pointed weapon used for stabbing.

   • Context: Vision leading Macbeth to Duncan's chamber.

2. Knell (n.): A sound made by a bell to indicate death.

   • Context: Macbeth describes the bell sounding for Duncan's death.

3. Stealthy (adj.): Quiet, secretive actions to avoid detection.

   • Context: Describes Macbeth moving stealthily to kill Duncan.

4. Gild (v.): To coat with gold; metaphorically refers to blood.

   • Context: Lady Macbeth "gilds" the guards’ faces with Duncan’s blood.

5. Multitudinous (adj.): Very numerous.

   • Context: Macbeth refers to the ocean turning red with blood.

6. Equivocate (v.): To use ambiguous language.

   • Context: The Porter humorously speaks of equivocation.

7. Lamenting (v.): Expressing sorrow.

   • Context: Refers to the kingdom grieving Duncan's death.

8. Breach (n.): A gap or break; often refers to offenses.

   • Context: Describes Duncan’s murder as a breach of natural order.

Act 3 Vocabulary

1. Foully (adv.): In a wicked way.

   • Context: Banquo suspects Macbeth of foul play.

2. Fruitless (adj.): Unproductive.

   • Context: Macbeth's thoughts on his lack of heirs.

3. Scepter (n.): A symbol of authority.

   • Context: Refers to Macbeth’s royal power.

4. Chide (v.): To scold.

   • Context: Macbeth feels scorned by fate.

5. Barren (adj.): Lacking productivity.

   • Context: Macbeth's metaphor on his inability to leave a legacy.

6. Malice (n.): Intent to cause harm.

   • Context: Macbeth plots against Banquo.

7. Rancor (n.): Deep bitterness.

   • Context: Macbeth’s bitterness towards Banquo’s lineage.

8. Scorched (v.): Damaged without destruction.

   • Context: Macbeth feels his power is incomplete.

9. Vizard (n.): A disguise.

   • Context: Refers to concealing true intentions.

10. Seeling (v.): Obscuring vision.

• Context: Macbeth wishes to blind pity.

Literary and Thematic Terms

• Ambiguity: Themes of equivocation in the witches’ prophecies.

• Imagery: Blood and darkness imagery in Acts 2 and 3.

• Foreshadowing: Hints at future events, notably Banquo’s prophecy.

• Irony: Dramatic irony; audience knowledge exceeds characters'.

• Motif: Recurring themes such as blood, visions, and unnatural events.

Quotes

Act 2 Quotes

1. Macbeth: "Is this a dagger which I see before me..."

   • Meaning: Symbolizes his inner conflict regarding murder.

   • Importance: Highlights psychological turmoil and ambition.

2. Lady Macbeth: "That which hath made them drunk hath made me bold..."

   • Meaning: Lady Macbeth feels fueled by the guards’ inebriation.

   • Importance: Exemplifies her moral corruption.

3. Macbeth: "Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood clean..."

   • Meaning: Macbeth's guilt stains him irreparably.

   • Importance: Demonstrates the permanence of guilt.

4. Macduff: "O horror, horror, horror!..."

   • Meaning: His reaction to Duncan’s murder.

   • Importance: Shows national shock over regicide.

5. Donalbain: "There’s daggers in men’s smiles..."

   • Meaning: Recognizes the lurking danger post-murder.

   • Importance: Foreshadows ensuing treachery.

Act 3 Quotes

1. Banquo: "Thou hast it now: king, Cawdor..."

   • Meaning: Banquo suspects Macbeth's ill gains.

   • Importance: Highlights Banquo’s growing mistrust.

2. Macbeth: "To be thus is nothing..."

   • Meaning: Kingship is meaningless without security.

   • Importance: Espouses Macbeth’s paranoia.

3. Macbeth: "We have scorched the snake, not killed it..."

   • Meaning: Suggests trouble persists despite Duncan's death.

   • Importance: Reflects impending doom.

4. Macbeth: "O, full of scorpions is my mind..."

   • Meaning: Represents his turmoil over Banquo's prophecy.

   • Importance: Indicates decline into violence.

5. Lady Macbeth: "Things without all remedy should be without regard..."

   • Meaning: Tries to dismiss Macbeth's guilt.

   • Importance: Irony, as her own guilt surfaces later.

Short Answer Questions

Act 2

1. What vision does Macbeth see before killing Duncan, and what does it symbolize?

2. Why does Lady Macbeth not kill Duncan herself?

3. How does Macbeth feel immediately after murdering Duncan, and what does this reveal about his character?

4. What role do the porter’s comments about the gates of hell play in the play’s tone and themes?

5. How do Duncan's sons, Malcolm and Donalbain, react to their father’s murder, and what decision do they make?

6. What is the significance of the unnatural events described in Act 2, Scene 4?

7. How does Macbeth’s behavior at Duncan’s murder scene contrast with Lady Macbeth’s?

Act 3

1. Why is Banquo suspicious of Macbeth at the beginning of Act 3?

2. What concerns Macbeth about Banquo?

3. How does Lady Macbeth feel about their situation now?

4. Why does Macbeth hide his plans to murder Banquo from Lady Macbeth?

Essay Questions

Act 2 Essay Questions

1. Macbeth’s Inner Conflict: Explore Macbeth’s turmoil through the dagger soliloquy.

2. The Role of Lady Macbeth: Analyze Lady Macbeth’s ambition and manipulation.

3. The Theme of Guilt: Compare Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s reactions to guilt.

4. Symbolism of Blood and Darkness: Discuss imagery used to reinforce themes.

5. The Natural Order: Examine disruptions caused by Duncan's murder.

Act 3 Essay Questions

1. Macbeth’s Paranoia: Identify manifestations of paranoia in actions against perceived threats.

2. The Banquet Scene: Analyze the symbolic significance of Banquo’s ghost.

3. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s Relationship: Discuss shifts in their dynamic.

4. Ambition and Power: Contrast the evolution of Macbeth’s motivations.

5. Role of the Supernatural: Explore the witches’ influence and themes of fate vs. free will.

6. The Theme of Betrayal: Analyze Macbeth’s acts of betrayal against Banquo and loyal subjects.

Multiple Choice Questions

Act 2

1. What vision does Macbeth have before he murders King Duncan?

   • Answer: c) A bloody dagger leading him to Duncan’s chamber.

2. What does Lady Macbeth do to frame Duncan's guards?

   • Answer: b) Smears Duncan's blood on their faces.

3. Why do Duncan’s sons flee?

   • Answer: b) They fear they will be accused of the murder.

4. What strange occurrences follow Duncan's death?

   • Answer: d) All of the above.

5. Who discovers King Duncan’s body?

   • Answer: b) Macduff.

Act 3

1. Why is Macbeth afraid of Banquo?

   • Answer: d) All of the above.

2. What does Macbeth tell the murderers?

   • Answer: b) Banquo is responsible for their misfortunes.

3. What happens during Banquo’s murder?

   • Answer: c) Fleance escapes, but Banquo is killed.

4. What appears to Macbeth at the banquet?

   • Answer: b) Banquo’s ghost sitting in his seat.

5. How does Lady Macbeth react to Macbeth's behavior at the banquet?

   • Answer: c) She dismisses his actions as a momentary illness.

6. What does Hecate plan for Macbeth?

   • Answer: b) Fill him with overconfidence that will lead to his downfall.