Shakespeare's MacBeth - Act II

Act II Scene i:
1. At the beginning of this act, Macbeth is speaking with Banquo. Macbeth tells Banquo he wants to ask for his loyalty. What is Banquo’s response?


* Why is this response significant?
(Hint: How might it make Macbeth feel? How might Macbeth respond to that feeling?)

2. Summarize what Macbeth reveals in his soliloquy at the end of IIi.
(Hint: What does his grapple with? What points does he go over? What has he resolved by the end of the “dagger” soliloquy?)

3. Explain the importance of the tolling bell at the end of II i.


* Owls & Crickets = It was believed that owls hooting meant that someone was going to die and that when crickets made noise, a murder had occurred. They also believed that the devil took the form of an owl in order to speak to witches.
* There is a disjunction between talk and action, how Lady Macbeth talked about her ability to kill her own child, and her lack of action to kill King Duncan because he looked like her father.
* When Macbeth feels like he can’t say “Amen” it shows how he is separated from God. This connects to how earlier in time, it was thought that God appointed kings. Macbeth has violated political, ethical and moral boundaries by killing the king. He has also usurped God’s power by trying to make himself king.
Nature =
* Sleep - Macbeth’s inability to sleep shows his guilt.
* Water – Macbeth says an ocean of water cannot cleanse him, while Lady Macbeth thinks she only needs a little water to clean away her guilt.

Act II Scene ii

4. What has Lady Macbeth done during this scene?

5. What has kept Lady Macbeth from killing King Duncan?

 Explain how this is an example of the disjunction between talk and action.
(Hint: What did she say she would do to her own child in Act I?)

6. What is the importance of “Amen” in this scene?

 Who says it? How does Macbeth react to this?

 What does this tell us about Macbeth?


7. Macbeth violates three boundaries when he kills King Duncan. Explain the ramifications of the King’s murder in the following arenas:
- Political =

- Ethical =


- Moral =


8. Fill in the chart below by describing their reaction and quoting from the text to support your analysis:
Macbeth’s Reaction to the Murder Lady Macbeth’s Reaction to the Murder


9. Explain how the inability to sleep shows Macbeth’s guilt.

10. What advice does Lady Macbeth give Macbeth at the end of the scene?

11. Complete the chart below:
Macbeth & Water: Lady Macbeth & Water:


Explanation: Explanation:


Quote from the play: Quote from the play:




Act II Scene iii

12. What is the purpose of the porter’s long speech at the beginning of this scene?

 The porter’s comments about drinking parallel Macbeth’s indecision about following the witches’ prophecy. Explain this:


13. Who enters the castle?

14. Fill in the following chart:
Character: His/Her Reaction to the Murder of King Duncan:
Macduff

Macbeth

Lady Macbeth

Malcolm

Donalbain

Banquo
(Hint: What does Banquo suspect?)
Lennox

15. What action of Macbeth reflect a further deterioration of his moral character? How can that be used to make a prediction about his actions in the future?

Notes:
The porter’s comments about drinking parallel Macbeth’s indecision about following the witches’ prophecy. He has a desire to be king, but the inability to follow thought. It is interesting that Malcolm leaves for since he would now be king. He would rather leave, than rule. Malcolm suspects that someone, other than the servants, killed the King, since the servants did not have a motive for killing him. However, he knows that if he were killed, Macbeth would then be crowned as the king. Malcolm believes that his gives Macbeth a motive for killing.
Banquo is quiet amongst the chaos of the scene. He suspect Macbeth might be the murder. He is still being loyal to the King. This makes him an honorable character. This may be in part because he is a tribute to James I, who is supposed to be a descendant in Banquo’s family of kings.

Act II Scene iv

16. Shakespeare often uses references to the weather and strange occurrences to create an ominous mood. Give examples of this from this scene:





17. Ross and Old Man talk about how terrible it is at this time due to the death of King Duncan and how the Heavens have turned their back on the world. This is shown through several examples of unnatural disorder. Complete the chart below that offers examples of this disorder and what it symbolizes:
Nature – How it is upset/disordered: What it symbolizes:
Horses

Falcons

Weather



18. Who is under suspicion for the murder of King Duncan? Does this make sense?


19. Who will be King now?


20. Explain the following quote:
“God’s benison go with you, and with those that would make good of bad and friends of foes!”
(II iv 52)

Notes =
 Macduff plays up the chaos and disorder that come as a result of regicide. Earlier, Lady Macbeth wished for darkness, but we note here how the darkness has not covered up the bad deeds.

 The falcon being murdered by the a lesser bird is a metaphor for how Macbeth has killed King Duncan. The natural order of things is disjointed.