Macbeth Act II - Mrs. Miranda's Classroom Website

MACBETH ACT II ACT II SCENE 1 Quick Summary: Banquo enters with his son Fleance. He discusses the witches prophecies with Macbeth, and refuses to believe in devilish stories. Macbeth pretends to have not considered the witches words. Once alone, Macbeth sees the image of a dagger pointing

towards Duncans bedchamber. ACT II SCENE 1 MACBETH 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? I see thee yet, in form as palpable As this which now I draw. Thou marshall'st me the way that I was going; And such an instrument I was to use. (2.1.44-55) ACT II SCENE 1 Fate and Free Will

-Daggers dont kill people, people kill people. Versions of Reality -Starting with a Question A bell is heard, signaling Lady Macbeths initiation of the plan and the end of Scene 1. ACT II SCENE II

Lady Macbeth awaits Macbeths return, worrying about the guards awaking and Mabeth being caught. Macbeth enters, bloody and ill at ease. He worries that his soul is damned, since he has killed Duncan in his own home. Lady Macbeth warns him against such brain sickly of things. ACT II SCENE 2

Murder God Bless Us Macbeth doth murder sleep. Sleeplessness and Insomnia. MACBETH ACT II SCENE 2 Macbeth refuses to reenter the room and frame the guards, so Lady Macbeth leaves to finish the act.

While gone, Macbeth worries of the lasting effects of his deed, stating Will great Neptunes ocean wash this blood clean from my hand? Upon hearing this, Lady Macbeth states that a little water will clear the mess. They both hear a knock at the door and run to put on their sleeping robes. MACBETH ACT II SCENE 3

A brief comic interlude from the porter (doorman). Macduff and Lennox enter and swap drinking stories with the porter. Macbeth enters and sends Macduff to fetch Duncan, all while listening to the strange happenings of the night. Macduff enters and tells of the kings death. A lot of entering and exits, one which ends with Macbeth killing the two guards in a fit of rage. MACBETH ACT II SCENE 3

Gender as concept O gentle lady, 'Tis not for you to hear what I can speak. The repetition in a woman's ear Would murder as it fell. (2.3.96-99) Macduff believes Lady Macbeth is too feminine to hear the word murder, nevermind plot one! MACBETH ACT II SCENE 3

Donaldbain and Malcolm escape to both avoid accusation and death. Donaldbain will go to Ireland, and Malcolm will go to England. Meanwhile, Macbeth and everyone else go get dressed. MACBETH ACT II SCENE 4 An old man talks to the character Ross about the strange

happenings. Macduff enters to give the accepted story that the death of the king was due to bribes given from Duncans sons, hence the hasty getaway. Macbeth is on his way to be crowned King in Scone as Duncan is put in a newly made grade. MACBETH ACT II SCENE 4 VERSION OF REALITY

MACDUFF: Malcolm and Donalbain, the King's two sons, Are stol'n away and fled, which puts upon them Suspicion of the deed. (2.4.36-38) AMBITION- UNNATURAL OR NOT? ROSS: 'Gainst nature still! Thriftless ambition, that will ravin up Thine own lives' means! Then 'tis most like The sovereignty will fall upon Macbeth. (2.4.39-42)