Macbeth
Act II
Scene I (p. 319-321)
Summary
Macbeth comes upon Banquo and Banquo’s son Fleance after midnight as they make their way to bed. Macbeth and
Banquo talk to the witches’ predictions, and Macbeth again suggests a private talk with Banquo. After they leave,
Macbeth imagines a blood-covered dagger before him. When the bell sounds, Macbeth steals away to commit the
murder.
1.
(l. 22) Responding to the Text
Do you think Macbeth is telling the truth?
2.
(ll. 33-49) Complete a line by line analysis to paraphrase Macbeth’s soliloquy. Discuss what you learn
about Macbeth’s state of mind. Also, in what way does this soliloquy reflect the theme of appearance
versus reality?
3.
(ll. 49-51) Making Connections
How does Macbeth’s attitude toward wicked dreams differ from Banquo’s in ll. 7-9?
4.
(ll. 52-56) Defending Interpretations
Shakespearean critic G. Wilson Knight points out that Shakespeare includes Christian imagery throughout
Macbeth, depicting the murder as a conflict between grace and evil. If the play is interpreted in this way,
how does Macbeth, in this soliloquy, reject grace and turn himself to the powers of evil?
5.
(ll. 62-64) Tragedy
In what way does the bell toll not only for Duncan but also for the tragic hero?
Scene 2 (p. 321-324)
Summary
Lady Macbeth drugged Duncan’s guards but has been unable to murder Duncan because of his resemblance
to her father. Macbeth murders Duncan offstage and reenters, deeply troubled and dazed. Lady Macbeth
scolds him and places the bloody daggers beside the sleeping grooms, whom she smears with blood.
1.
(l. 14) Expressing an Opinion
Why do you think Shakespeare chose not to show Duncan’s murder?
2.
(ll. 26-29) Comparing and Contrasting
How is killing Duncan different from killing Macdonwald? How are they similar?
3.
(ll. 30-33) Irony
What is ironic about Macbeth’s desire for a blessing?
4.
(ll. 34-38) Figurative Language
Identify the metaphors that describe sleep. What effect do these metaphors suggest that sleep has on
people?
5.
(ll. 55-56) Puns
When one puts gold leaf on something, it is then gilt, a homophone of guilt. How does this pun reflect
the theme of appearance versus reality?
6.
(ll. 57-68) Imagery
How does the imagery concerning blood and water in Macbeth’s speech contrast with that in Lady
Macbeth’s speech? What is the significance of this difference?
7.
(l. 72) Tragedy
In what way does this line convey the message that Macbeth knows the depth of evil to which he has
sunk?
8.
(l. 73) Making Judgments
How serious is Macbeth when he says he wishes Duncan could be awakened by the knocking?
Explain.
Scene 3 (p. 324-328)
Summary
A drunken porter responds to Macduff’s and Lennox’s knocking at the gate. Lennox describes strange
upheavals in nature the previous night as Macduff discovers Duncan’s body. When Macbeth says that
he killed Duncan’s grooms because they had murdered Duncan, Lady Macbeth faints. Duncan’s sons
Malcolm and Donalbain flee the country fearing for their lives.
1.
(ll. 4-10) Historical Connections: Gunpowder Plot of 1605
This play would have held great interest for James I, who lived throught the discovery of the
Gunpowder Plot in November 1605. Some critics believe that the porter’s speech is filled with
references to the Jesuit priest Father Henry Garnett, who was implicated in the plot and hanged as
a traitor. Garnett used the assumed name “Farmer” and defended equivocation as just. A munitions
expert named Guy Fawkes was discovered with the detonating materials, ready to ignite the fuse
when the King was addressing his Parliament. Guy Fawkes’ likeness appears on the mask used in
the film, V For Vendetta.
2. (ll. 19-36) Making Judgments
Why do you think the porter appears in this act?
3. (ll. 40-41) Irony
What is ironic about Macduff’s use of the word timely?
4. (ll. 48-54) Theme
Lennox reports an instance of nature mirroring unnatural events in society. Although such theories are
rejected today, Elizabethans firmly believed that when people committed horrible acts, darkness, storms,
earthquakes, and unnatural occurrences, such as deformed births, followed.
5. (ll. 63-64) Supplying Missing Letters
Shakespeare often uses unfamiliar contractions. For example, o’ means “of,” th’ means “the,” and is’t
means “is it.”
6. (ll. 68-74) Comparing and Contrasting
Compare this passage to II.I 49-64. How are Macbeth’s and Macduff’s purposes similar? How is the bell
used in each passage?
7. (ll. 92-94) Style
How does the style of Macbeth’s and Macduff’s announcements of Duncan’s death to the king’s sons
differ?
8. (ll. 100-101) Making Judgments
What has Macbeth done that was not in the plan? Was this wise?
9. (ll. 106-109) Imagery
Macbeth say that Duncan had “silver skin” and “golden blood,” implying Duncan’s royal and saintly
qualities. Why does Macbeth use such extravagant imagery to describe Duncan’s death?
10. (l. 113) Interpreting
What causes Lady Macbeth cry out?
11. (ll. 124-126) Imagery
What does the image of Banquo standing in “the great hand of God” suggest about his intent?
12. (ll. 128-132) Interpreting
What does each of te following characters seem to think of the evidence: Lennox, Banquo, Macduff,
Lady Macbeth, Macbeth, Malcolm, and Donalbain?
13. (ll. 133-134) Drawing Conclusions
What does Donalbain’s parting comment mean?
Scene 4
Summary
Ross and an Old Man speak of wild and unnatural events that were observed during te nig and the day following
Duncan’s murder. Macduff reveals that Duncan’s sons are suspected of murdering their father and that Macbeth has
gone to Scone to be installed as king. Macduff will not attend Macbeth’s coronation, and he voices doubts about the
new king’s reign.
1.
(ll. 1-13) Theme
How does the dialogue between the Old Man and Ross compare to Lennox’s speech in II.3. 48-54?
2.
(ll. 14-20) Figurative Language
Here, Ross presents an image of Duncan’s horses gone wild and cannibalizing each other. How are the
horses a metaphor for Macbeth?
3.
(ll. 21-27) Speculating
Macduff could appear to be speaking plainly. How would the meaning change if you assume that he is
speaking ironically? Why would he not speak his thoughts openly?
4.
(ll. 27-30) Irony
What is ironic about Ross’s comment on the motive for the murder?
5.
(ll. 31-32) Historical Connections
Scottish kings were crowned on the Stone of Destiny – supposedly Jacob’s pillow, as mentioned in Genesis
28:10-13. This stone was stolen and taken to Westminster Abbey by King Edward the Confessor in 1296.
6.
(ll. 37-38) Figurative Language
What warning does Macduff convey using the clothing metaphor?
7.
(ll. 40-41) Challenging the text
Is this line an appropriate end for this bloody act? Explain.