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Graphic Organizer for Active Reading
The Tragedy of Macbeth, Act II
William Shakespeare
Student Edition page 457
No Regrets?
Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.
Macbeth’s character is not purely evil, but in Act II he overcomes his reservations long enough to
kill King Duncan and two of the king’s grooms. Afterward, Macbeth reveals his inner state. Search
Act II for quotations that disclose Macbeth’s feelings about the murders. Write these quotations in
the upper, unshaded dagger halves. In the lower, shaded dagger halves, explain each quotation’s
meaning in your own words.
1. Describe Macbeth’s general state of mind after the murders.
2. What do you think Macbeth should do to gain control of his feelings?
Elements of Literature
Graphic Organizers for Active Reading
GRAPHIC ORGANIZERS FOR ACTIVE READING
Answer Key
The Tragedy of Macbeth, Act II
Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.
Graphic Organizer:
(Responses will vary. Sample responses follow.)
“But wherefore could not I pronounce ‘Amen’? / I
had most need of blessing, and ‘Amen’ / Stuck in my
throat” (Scene 2, lines 30–33); Macbeth fears God
and feels so guilty that he cannot request a blessing.
“I am afraid to think what I have done; / Look on ’t
again I dare not” (Scene 2, lines 50–51); Macbeth is
so horrified by the murders that he cannot look at
the dead men again or even think of the slayings.
“Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood /
Clean from my hand?” (Scene 2, lines 59–60);
Macbeth realizes that although he may physically
wash the blood away, the intangible and invisible
effects—memories of his deed, his guilt, and his
horror—will never be cleansed, no matter how
“great” the ocean in which they are washed.
“To know my deed, ’twere best not know myself”
(Scene 2, line 72); Macbeth, absorbed by thoughts
of the killings, admits that it is better not to pursue
self-knowledge because the deed was so gruesome—he is tortured by remorse and revulsion.
(Responses will vary. Guidelines for responses
follow.)
1. Students may respond that Macbeth’s general
state of mind is tormented remorse.
2. Some students might state that Macbeth should
confess and atone for his crimes. Others might
say that Macbeth should continue hiding his
deeds because he has gone too far—it is
pointless to turn back.
Elements of Literature