Act 2

Question 1

2;1
“Is this a dagger which I see before me?”

Answer 1

•Rhetorical question indicates Macbeth’s uncertain state of mind; spiral out of control.
-Cannot tell what’s real and fake
•Dagger is a classic symbol of sacrifice
-Used by Cain to kill his brother Abel, showing Macbeth is killing an innocent man that was as close to him as a brother
•Complex sentences show anxiety and fear

Question 2

2;1
“A dagger of the mind, a false creation”

Answer 2

•Consequences of his insatiable ambition has caused him mental distress and near insanity
•Unable to trust everything he sees

Question 3

2;2
“Will all Neptune’s Ocean wash this blood clean”

Answer 3

•Hyperbolic language demonstrates his fear
-Quantifier ‘all’ suggests he will never be able to truly escape the consequences of his sinful deeds
-Shows it is likely to spread
•Blood, symbolising guilt, shows Macbeth’s noble character is being stained by his acts
•Reference to Neptune, a non-Christian god, may reflect how he has turned his back on God

Question 4

2;2
“A little water clears us of this deed”

Answer 4

•Flippant remark contrasts with Macbeth
-Quantifier ‘little’ indicates a lack of remorse
•Pronoun ‘us’ shows that she thinks they are equals
•Refers to the blood with euphemisms
-Cannot confront the reality of her actions