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ENG IV
Macbeth
ACT TWO READING GUIDE
Atmosphere- the atmosphere in a work of literature is its general mood or feeling. A writer creates
atmosphere mainly through setting, word choice, and selection of specific details. Since realistic
scenery was a minimal and since lighting could not be controlled on the Elizabethan style,
Shakespeare often had to rely on dialogue to describe settings.
“Darkness, we may even say blackness, broods over this tragedy. It is that almost all the scenes which at
one recui to the manway take place either at night or in some dark spot.”
-AC Bradley, Shakespeare Scholar
Motif- A recurring image, object, or symbol throughout a work of literature. The imagery created
during this act utilizes the three motifs of night, blood, and water.
Dramatic Irony- irony in which the implications of a situation or speech are understood by the
audience but not the characters in the play
Act Two, scene 1
1.
2.
Macbeth would have been performed during daylight hours at the Globe.
How does Shakespeare reveal to the audience that it is nighttime?
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Macbeth’s famous soliloquy, his dagger speech (32-65) illustrates propriety. Now that you
have paraphrased the soliloquy, why is it important that Shakespeare reveal Macbeth’s
tortured ambivalence when approaching the murder of Duncan? __________________________
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Act Two, scene 2
1.
Lady Macbeth reveals that she cannot kill Duncan because he resembles her father. What
does this convey about Lady Macbeth’s character?
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2. The murder of Duncan occurs offstage. How does Shakespeare signal-through nature- the
murder of King Duncan? _____________________________________________________________________________
3.
4.
5.
Later in the scene, what physical part does Lady Macbeth play in the murder?
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How does Macbeth reveal that he understands the enormity of what he has done? (lines 3439 and lines 57-62)
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Lady Macbeth: A little water clears us of this deed. (66)
This is an allusion to Pontius Pilate who washes his hands of Jesus’ condemnation.
At this point in the play, who do you think will suffer more--- Macbeth or Lady Macbeth?
Why?
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Act Two, scene 3 (Remember evil?)
1.
2.
Note the repletion of “Knock, knock, knock.” The porter also repeats the word equivocator
when describing the people in hell.
Look at your side notes. What is an equivocator? ________________________________________________
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3. Macbeth has murdered two other men, the two guards. He defends this by explaining that he
was overwhelmed with murderous rage at the killing of Duncan (equivocation). What is Macbeth’s
true motive for these murders?
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Act Two, scene, 4
1.Reread the speeches of Ross and Macduff. (lines 23-31). We learn essential information.
What 3 pieces of information are given in this passage?
a.
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b.
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c.
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Reader’s
Response
Prompt
On a separate sheet of paper, answer the following
prompt:
Situation: Macbeth is Shakespeare’s most violent
tragedy. The murder of King Duncan sets in motion
the increasing violence of Macbeth and his spiraling
downfall. Lady Macbeth has a significant role in
Macbeth’s tragic downfall.
Prompt: Who do you think bears more responsibility
for the regicide of King Duncan—Macbeth or Lady
Macbeth? Give three specific, detailed, and thoughtful reasons to defend your choice.
Cite specific evidence from the play.
Prewriting:
Who bears more responsibility? ____________________________________________
Why?
1.
2.
3.