Act 2

Question 1

In Act 2 scene 2, how is animalistic imagery used to describe nature’s reaction to Duncan’s murder?

Analysis

Answer 1

“I heard the owl scream and the crickets cry”

Hear these animals when it’s night and silent. This pathetic fallacy creates an eerie + foreboding mood.
Personification of animals having terrified reactions of the murder. Natures petrified reaction shows how this murder goes against natural order and morality.

Question 1

In Act 2 scene 2, what euphemism does Macbeth use to say he has killed Duncan?

Analysis

Answer 1

“I have done the deed”

Euphemism- ashamed and guilt-ridden to the extent he cannot name his actions.

Question 2

In Act 2 scene 2, what religious word could Macbeth not say after the murder?

Analysis

Answer 2

“I could not say “Amen””

Guilt

Religious imagery - knows he has sinned + feels God’s judgement

Question 3

In Act 2 scene 3, what quote does the Porter us to allude to The Gunpowder Plot?

Answer 3

“here’s an equivocator… who committed treason enough for God’s sake”

Question 4

In Act 2 scene 3, quotes the Porter uses which have a semantic field of hell.

Answer 4

“if a man were porter of hell-gate”
“Beezlebub”
“this place is too cold for hell”
“everlasting bonfire”

Question 5

In Act 2 scene 3, analyse the Porter’s use of a semantic field of hell.

Answer 5

The murder was so evil to the extent that everyone in the castle is affected.
The porter can sense evil in the castle-even in his drunken state.

Dramatic irony-the audience know the source of the evil.

Question 6

In Act 2 scene 3, analyse “if a man were a porter of hell-gate”.

Answer 6

Dramatic irony

He is in some sense a porter of hell-gate because of the sinister act committed.

Shows how oblivious the characters are to Macbeth’s malice.

Question 7

In Act 2 scene 3, what’s the significance of the Porter’s repetition of “equivocator”?

Answer 7

trying to emphasise Macbeth’s duplicity and how blatantly deceitful he is.

Question 8

In Act 2 scene 3, analyse “this place is too cold for hell”.

Answer 8

The Porter can strongly sense the evil that has occurred.
It is as though the Castle has become hell itself.
The audience are reminded the setting: Inverness in Scotland where it is cold.

Question 9

In Act 2 scene 3, a quote where Macbeth is equivocating, when he says he will get Duncan.

Answer 9

“I’ll bring you to him”

Question 10

In Act 2 scene 3, in response to Lennox describing the “unruly” night, what does Macbeth say?

analysis

Answer 10

“it was a rough night”

1- he is so traumatized to the murder that he is now desensitized to horror.
2 - short sentence-doesn’t want to raise suspicion to himself.

Question 11

In Act 2 scene 3, what is Duncan’s death called?
(unholy)

Answer 11

“most sacrilegious murder”

Question 12

In Act 2 scene 3, Macbeth confessing to killing the guards.

Answer 12

No

Question 13

In Act 2 scene 3, a quote that even Macbeth admits Duncan’s death breaks the natural order.

Answer 13

“his gashed stabs looked like a breach in nature”

Question 14

In Act 2 scene 2, after returning from murdering Duncan, Macbeth says he heard “a voice cry”. What did it say?

Answer 14

“sleep no more”

Question 15

In Act 2 scene 2, a quote Lady Macbeth uses as an excuse as to why she couldn’t kill Duncan herself.

Answer 15

+“had he not resembled my father as he slept”

Question 16

a quote where Donalbain suspects the monarchy support are lying.

Answer 16

“there’s daggers in men’s smiles”

Question 17

“there’s daggers in men’s smiles”

analysis

Answer 17

Donalbain thinks everyone is showcasing duplicity-no one is to be trusted.

Daggers-anti Christ, betrayal, blood-shed, murder.

The state of Scotland is at risk because the people in power are deceitful and will betray.

Question 18

Lady Macbeth suddenly changes to a warmer, caring person. What does she say that urges Macbeth to remember to keep up the false facade.

Answer 18

“sleek over your rugged looks. Be bright and jovial among your guests tonight.”

Question 19

“sleek over your rugged looks. Be bright and jovial among your guests tonight.”

analysis

Answer 19

Macbeth is starting to look insane. Lady Macbeth reminds him that as long as he looks in control, power will remain in their hands.

In order to be king he must be polished, amiable and in control.

Warm, caring tone
-she uses a genuine and attentive tone, contrasting her usual condescending manner.

“sleek”-as though it is effortless to strip away insanity. LM doesn’t understand the true extent to his insanity.

“Rugged”-his insanity is translated in his physicality. Suggests his character’s got defects and imperfections, unlike the sleek and polished Duncan.

Question 20

Duncan’s dead body has been found, and everyone has gathered to discuss the heart-wrenching news. Lady Macbeth asks what happened, but what does one of the Lords say?

Answer 20

“o gentle lady” “this is not for you to hear”

Question 21

“o gentle lady” “this is not for you to hear”

analysis

Answer 21

The patriarchal society depicted women to be fragile and infantile, not strong enough to participate in serious matters.
This is exactly why she doesn’t want to be a woman.
Ironic-she is the driving force of the murder but everyone perceives her to be innocent.

In the real story Banquo was the accomplice not Lady Macbeth. Shakespeare may have adapted Duncan’s to showcase the true power and influence women have-they are not idle and sensitive, but powerful and quietly dominant.

Question 22

After Macbeth killed Duncan what could he not say?

Answer 22

“I could not say ‘Amen’”

Question 23

A quote where Macbeth is saying he is so guilt-ridden all the seas could not make him pure.

Answer 23

“all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood clean from my hands? No”

Question 24

“all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood clean from my hands? No”

analysis

Answer 24

Even all the oceans in the world couldn’t wash the blood (guilt) off his hands.

His guilt is inescapable it will mark him forever, foreshadowing it’ll be his demise.

Shakespeare uses sophisticated vocabulary to show Macbeth is undermining his actions.

Question 25

According to Lady Macbeth what will clear them of guilt from killing Duncan?

Answer 25

“a little water clears us of this deed”

Question 26

“a little water clears us of this deed”

analysis

Answer 26

Directly contrasts Macbeth’s confession of guilt
-showing she possesses all the power + control.
-presents herself as truly emotionless and unremorseful

euphemism of “deed”
-actually does have a guilty conscience
-because she can’t admit the immoral act

Question 27

Just as Lady Macbeth is about to fain, what does she say?

Answer 27

“help me hence, ho!”

Question 28

“help me hence, ho!” (Lady Macbeth’s fainting)

analysis

Answer 28

-Feels her control over Macbeth slipping
as he’s deviated from the plan.
-So pretends to faint to regain control and distract everyone’s attention away from Macbeth.

-Aghast to Macbeth’s confession
-the fear that this may give them away is all-consuming.
-So she actually faints.

Question 29

2 quotes where Macbeth says he sees a dagger.

Answer 29

“is this a dagger which i see before me”
“a dagger of the mind”

Question 30

“is this a dagger which i see before me”
“a dagger of the mind”

Answer 30

-He is hallucinating
-showing the deterioration of his mind
-a manifestation of his evil/ambition
-evil has corrupted his mind.

Dagger
-anti Christ(upside down cross)
-betrayal
-murder

doubt
-deterioration of his mind
-used to be assertive and sure, but now he is weak and incapable

Question 31

What quote about a falcon and an owl show the natural order is destroyed after Duncan’s death?

Answer 31

“a falcon… was by a mousing owl hawked at and killed”

Question 32

“a falcon… was by a mousing owl hawked at and killed”

analysis

Answer 32

The natural order has become subverted.

Natural order has collapsed because
-Duncan (God’s presence on earth) was murdered so no head of chain
-Macbeth’s violence has become so unruly and unnatural.

The “falcon” symbolises Duncan
-who should be almighty and divine
-“owl” parallels Macbeth who unnaturally ended Duncan’s life.

Question 33

Act 2 summary
scene 1
scene 2
scene 3
scene 4

Answer 33

scene 1 - Macbeth hallucinates a dagger, the goes to kill Duncan
scene 2 - Duncan is murdered, Macbeth returns in turmoil but remains Lady Macbeth composed.
scene 3 - Macduff discovers Duncan’s dead body, Donalbain and Malcom flee to Scotland.
scene 4 - Rosse, Macduff and an old man discuss nature’s unrest and how Macbeth will be king.

Question 34

In Act 2 scene 2, a quote where Duncan says he will only take Macbeth’s advice is it’s moral.

Answer 34

“keep my bosom franchised and allegiance clear”

Question 35

In Act 2 Scene 3 how does Macbeth describe Duncan’s dead body, emphasizing the catastrophe that a king has been killed.

Answer 35

“here lay Duncan, his silver skin laced with his golden blood”