MACBETH-ACT II
Study Guide Questions
Scene 1
1. Theaters in Shakespeare’s time did not have elaborate lighting and stage effects. What
clues in the stage directions and dialogue would alert audiences that the time was after
midnight? References to the torch; the moon being down; the hour being past twelve
o’clock; the stars out like unlit candles; Fleance’s comment that “’tis later.”
2. In ll. 23, is Macbeth telling the truth? Explain. Yes, having taken things into his own
hands, he is concentrating less on the prophecy; or, no, he is trying not to arouse
Banquo’s suspicions.
3. In ll. 33-64, what is this type of speech called? Summarize or paraphrase this speech.
This is a soliloquy which tells of Macbeth’s anxiety about the murder he plans to commit
is making him unbalanced.
4. How do ll. 33-39 reflect the theme of appearance versus reality? Macbeth’s hallucination
shows how appearance and reality have become interchangeable in his crazed condition.
The two states have become blurred.
5. How does Macbeth’s attitude toward wicked dreams differ from Banquo’s in ll. 7-9?
Banquo deliberately stays awake to avoid bad dreams; Macbeth seems to revel in them.
6. In ll. 62-64, explain in what way does the bell toll not only for Duncan but also for the
tragic hero? The bell that summons the king to heaven or hell also announces Macbeth’s
journey to damnation.
Scene 2
7. Why do you think Shakespeare chose not to show Duncan’s murder? It might detract
from the still-unfolding suspense of the scene.
8. How is killing Duncan different from killing Macdonwald? Killing on the battlefield to
defend one’s country against a traitor is acceptable whereas the assassination of the king
for personal, selfish gain is not. How are they similar? The brutal way in which Macbeth
kills Macdonaldwald shows a side of macbeth’s nature that will emerge more fully in the
murder of Duncan. Macbeth believes he is justified in committing both murders.
9. What is ironic about Macbeth’s desire for a blessing? It is ironic that he desires a blessing
when he has just broken a religious commandment by killing the king, a person who
supposedly rules by divine right.
10. In ll. 34-38, identify the metaphors that describe sleep. A knitter who untangles the
threads of care; the death of the life of each day; a bath that soothes a laborer; an
ointment that heals the mind; the body’s greatest need after food.
11. 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? While appearances (gilt) might
conceal reality, they are only a superficial layer barely covering what is truly inside
(guilt).
12. How does the imagery concerning blood and water in Macbeth’s speech contrast with
that in Lady Macbeth’s speech? He believes that “all great Neptune’s ocean” could not
clean his hands, while she claims “a little water clears us of this deed.” What is the
significance of this difference? Lady Macbeth is practical---water washes away blood.
Macbeth is speaking on a metaphorical level. He believes his sin will contaminate the
oceans of the world.
13. In what way does the first line on page 324 convey the message that Macbeth knows the
depth of evil to which he has sunk? If he fully acknowledges the horror of his deed, he
will be unable to bear knowing he committed it.
14. How serious is Macbeth when he says he wishes Duncan could be awakened by the
knocking? Explain. He is serious because he is genuinely horrified by his deed; OR, he is
not serious because he knows it is impossible.
Scene 3
15. What specific details in the Porter’s speech suggests that the castle is hell? “Porter of hell
gate,” “Beezelbub,”, etc.
16. What is the purpose of the Porter appearing in this scene? He provides comic relief,
lessening the tension of the events in the act; or, his description of Macbeth’s castle as
hell underscores the horrible deed that has taken place there and builds suspense about its
consequences.
17. What is ironic about Macduff’s use of the word timely? Macduff’s arrival is not “timely”
but too late to save the king.
18. What does Lennox’s speech at the top of page 326 reveal about the belief that nature
mirrors the unnatural events in society? Elizabethans firmly believed that when people
committed horrible acts, darkness, storms, earthquakes, and unnatural occurrences, such
as deformed births, followed.
19. Compare ll. 68-74 to ll. 49-64 in Scene 1. How are Macbeth’s and Macduff’s purposes
similar? Both characters are trying to find words that are adequate for the situation--Macbeth to work himself up to commit murder; Macduff to express horror at the evil that
has been done. How is the used in each passage? Ironically, the earlier bell signaled the
time for Macbeth to commit murder, but here it rings to announce that murder.
20. How does the style of Macbeth’s and Macduff’s announcements of Duncan’s death to the
king’s sons differ? Macbeth speaks in metaphors; Macduff is straightforward.
21. What has Macbeth done that was not in the plan? He killed the two grooms. Was this
wise? No, there was no reason to complicate the situation with more murders; or yes,
Lennox appears to believe Macbeth’s story, and the grooms cannot protest.
22. Why does Macbeth use such extravagant imagery to describe Duncan’s death? His
pretentious eloquence is meant to cover up his insincerity. His anxiety and guilt make
him ramble on inappropriately.
23. What causes Lady Macbeth to cry out? She follows her own suggestion and makes her
“griefs and clamor roar.” She is trying to draw attention away from Macbeth’s absurd and
unnatural speech by pretending to faint; or, she is shocked by the murder of the grooms,
begins to fall apart, and actually faints.
24. What does the image of Banquo standing in “the great hand of God” suggest about his
intent? He intends to stand on the side of righteousness in fighting the “treasonous
malice” that killed Duncan. It also suggests that he does not believe that the murder has
been avenged yet---in other words, he fears that the grooms were not guilty.
25. What does each of the following characters seem to think of the evidence: Lennox,
Banquo, Macduff, Lady Macbeth, Macbeth, Malcolm, and Donalbain? Lennox believes
the grooms are guilty, Banquo is not sure but may be suspicious of Macbeth because of
what he knows from Act I. Macduff appears to agree with Banquo. Lady Macbeth may
think that Macbeth reveals too much with the murder of the grooms and his cover-up
speech; or, she may applaud his deception. Macbeth is starting to act on his own, which
may mean that he feels confident that the evidence points away from him. Malcolm and
Donalbain may not suspect anyone in particular---they just fear for their lives and want to
flee.
26. What does Donalbain’s parting comment mean? Those closest to the crown or in line for
it are in the most danger of being killed.
Scene 4
27. How does the dialogue between the Old Man and Ross compare to Lennox’s speech in
Scene 3, ll. 48-54? Like Lennox, Ross and the Old Man present evidence that disorders in
nature are mirroring the unnatural death of the king, supporting the Elizabethan idea that
the murder is a disruption of natural law.
28. Ross presents an image of Duncan’s horses gone wild and cannibalizing each other. How
are the horses a metaphor for Macbeth? Macbeth, too, has been the minion of his race as
the savior of his country. He, too, has turned wild, broken out of his rank, and destroyed
one of his own.
29. Macduff could appear to be speaking plainly in ll. 22-27. How would the meaning change
if you assume that he is speaking ironically? He could be insinuating that there was a
plot. Why would he not speak his thoughts openly? He might not speak openly if he lacks
proof of a plot, does not trust Ross, or fears being implicated in the serious crimes.
30. What is ironic about Ross’s comment on the motive for the murder? He has the correct
motive but the wrong perpetrator.
31. What warning does Macduff convey using the clothing metaphor? He hints that with
Macbeth as king instead of Duncan, their new situations (robes) may not suit them as
well as their old ones did.
32. Are the last two lines an appropriate end for this bloody act? Explain. The Old Man’s
words may foreshadow events or warn that, by attending the coronation, Ross and other
Macbeth supporters are opportunistic or hypocritical---trying to “make good of bad, and
friends of foes.” The line is appropriate not only because the Old Man is disturbed by
recent events, but also because it reinforces the theme of reversal, of “fair is foul.”