 10
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minutes of Vocabulary.com
FYI: You will be using your laptops for the entire class period.
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Objectives:
Examine Macbeth’s
state of mind
immediately before
and after the
murder of King
Duncan
Recognize new
complexities in the
characterization of
Macbeth and Lady
Macbeth
Themes
What are the main themes of
Act Two?
ambition
obsession with power
treachery
good and evil
guilt
 Macbeth
is full of elemental, primal
sights and sounds.
 Colors, noises, and animals that seem
to be right under our eyes, ears, and
noses.
 Act 2’s “soundtrack” is full of sudden,
scary noises.
 Pay attention to how Shakespeare uses
these sounds to build suspense and to
show us the mood of the host couple.
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During the first scene of Act II,
Macbeth mentions a goddess
named Hecate. It’s not the last
time this demanding lady will
show up in the play!
In Greek mythology, Hecate is
a goddess of the dead and a
friend to witches.
She is called “pale Hecate”
because she is linked with the
moon.
Dogs, honey, and black lambs
were sacrificed to her at
crossroads
There’s only one
comic figure in
Macbeth, the drunken
Porter.
 He provides comic
relief while discussing
some quite serious
things. When he
imagines he’s the
gatekeeper of hell,
he’s not that far off.
Macbeth’s home is a
frightening place.

 In
the Bible’s Old
Testament, Beelzebub
(Lord of the Flies) was a
pagan god
 Later, he became known
as a ruler of demons.
 When the Porter imagines
he’s letting Beelzebub in at
Macbeth’s door, he’s
opening the door to some
very bad company!
Act 2, Scene 1

This soliloquy captures Macbeth's
mental and emotional condition at
the time. He begins with the line,
"Is this a dagger I see before
me?" referring to a hallucination
he is seeing of a dagger with its
handle toward him. It is clear that
Macbeth's lust and greed are
pushing him over the brink of
insanity.
 Why
is Macbeth, whom we know to be
brave and ruthless in battle, so afraid?
How does Shakespeare dramatize
Macbeth's fear?
*via turnitin.com
Act 2, Scene 2
 Discuss
how the
two characters are
reacting in this
scene. After
reading the first
half of Act 2, who
do you think is the
most evil, Macbeth
or Lady Macbeth?
EXPLAIN.
*via turnitin.com
Act 2, scene 3
 How
are the
images of the owl,
sleep, and blood
used in the play so
far? What do these
symbols represent
and what do you
believe they
foreshadow?
*via turnitin.com
Act 2, scene 4
 Write
a brief diary entry for Macbeth
right before he murders Duncan. How
does he feel? Describe his contradictory
emotions.
 Complete
 Due
Act 2 questions.
on turnitin.com no later than the
following class period.
 Complete
the Macbeth: Act 2 Questions if
you didn’t do so in class
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