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.
2.
(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.