Macbeth Act 2
ENG 3U Homework
After watching the scene, find a copy of the script online.
There is a version available on my website that will give you both the Shakespearean and a modern
translation. Feel free to use it.
It might be a good idea to read it over and then watch the scene again.
The link to the movie is:
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/gperf/episodes/macbeth/watch-the-full-program/1030/
To prepare for the quiz and assist your understanding of Act 2, prepare the following
questions.
1. Macbeth’s soliloquy (2.1.31-64) often called the ‘dagger scene’, reflects his agitated state of
mind. What evidence is there in the soliloquy to suggest that he is still experiencing mental
turmoil over his decision to kill Duncan.
2. What is Macbeth’s state of mind after he commits the murder of Duncan? How do you know?
Find lines to support your thoughts.
3. What reason does Macbeth give for killing the guards? What is the real reason?
4. What is Lady Macbeth’s state of mind? How do you know? Find lines from the play to support
your thoughts.
5. What is the purpose of the porter scene in this act? How does it establish mood, advance the
plot, provide a break…?
6. How does Macduff describe Duncan’s murder? How does this characterization of Duncan’s
murder relate to the theme of disorder and ‘foul is fair, and fair is foul’
7. What other events in this Act reflect the theme of appearance versus reality?
8. What does Macduff’s refusal to attend Macbeth’s coronation reveal?
9. Explain why Malcolm and Donaldbain flee from Scotland.
10. The image of blood and the need for cleansing are key in this scene. Explain where this
appears and what the blood might represent (beyond death! ;-)
Important quotes from Act 2 on back side.
Important Quotes to Understand from Macbeth Act 2
On the quiz, you will have to identify speaker, spoken to, context and significance of TWO of these.
Macbeth – soliloquy
‘Is this a dagger which I see before me,
The handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee:
I have thee not, and yet I see thee still.
Art thou not, fatal vision, sensible
To feeling as to sight? Or art thou but
A dagger of the mind, a false creation,
Proceeding from the heat-oppressed brain?’
Lady Macbeth – soliloquy
‘That which hath made them drunk hath made me bold,
What hath quench’d them hath given me fire.’
Lady Macbeth – Macbeth
‘These deeds must not be thought
After these ways; so, it will make us mad.’
Macbeth – Lady Macbeth
‘Methought I heard a voice cry ‘Sleep no more!
Macbeth does murder sleep’
Lady Macbeth – Macbeth
‘Why, worthy thane,
You do unbend your noble strength to think
So brainsickly of things. Go get some water,
And wash this filthy witness from your hand.
Why did you bring these daggers from the place?
They must lie there: go carry them, and smear
The sleepy grooms with blood.’
Macbeth – soliloquy
‘Whence is that knocking?
How is’t with me, when every noise appals me?
What hands are here! Ha! They pluck out mine eyes.
Will all Neptune’s ocean wash this blood
Clean from my hand? No, this my hand will rather
The multitudinous seas incarnadine,
Making the green one red.’
Lady Macbeth – Macbeth
‘My hands are of your colour, but I shame
To wear a heart so white.
I hear a knocking
At the sout entry; retire we to our chamber;
A little water clears us of this deed;
How easy is it, then! Your constancy
Hath left you unattended.’