Macbeth Act Two

Macbeth’s major tragic flaw=His ambition Scene One: Banquo and Fleance are talking to one another—Banquo notes that there are no stars out (symbolism of light and dark) Evil prevailing—his evil thoughts restrained (tempted by ambition but does not give in to it) Macbeth enters and they talk—Macbeth says that he has not thought about the weird sisters again and he sends Banquo and Fleance to bed MACBETH’S SOLILOQUY: He sees a ghostly dagger before him that leads him to Duncan’s chamber Sees blood on the dagger—BLOOD KEY SYMBOL MOTIF: recurring symbol in a piece of literature Blood = Evil deeds Bell rings and Macbeth says on line 62 “I go, and it is done; the bell invites me/Hear it not Duncan; for it is a knell/That summons thee to heaven or to hell” Macbeth’s major tragic flaw=His ambition

Scene Two: Lady Macbeth says that the guards have been drugged An owl has shrieked (symbol of witchcraft) Lady Macbeth is unable to kill Duncan because he looks like her father Macbeth goes and murders Duncan but brings the daggers back with him Donalbain is sleeping in the next chamber—they wake, but say their prayers and return to sleep Lines 36-39 “Methought I heard a voice cry ‘Sleep no more!/ Macbeth does murder sleep….” Macbeth will be unable to sleep because of the evil deed of killing Duncan Lady Macbeth tells Macbeth that he need only wash his hands to be free of the deed BLOOD=GUILT Lady Macbeth goes and plants the daggers on the guards Macbeth says that he cannot wash his hands clean Lady Macbeth returns and says that her hands are covered with blood as well.

ASSIGNMENT FOR ACT 2 SCENE 1-2 Identify the following lit terms by recording the lit term, the quotation with line number, and an explanation of how this lit term adds to the dramatic effect of the scene. You will also point out what the lit term is (underline the lit device in the quotation and explain it) Alliteration: “The painted pig flew miles” line 254 The alliteration here is used to draw attention to the symbolism of pig throughout this story. This is significant in this scene because the pig will soon be gone from farmer John’s field. Literary devices: CHOOSE FIVE TO DO Two marks per lit device. Due tomorrow. /10 Alliteration Metaphor Allusion Simile Repetition Rhyme Motif

Scene Three: Begins with the porter (doorman) and he provides comic relief—after a dramatic scene, Shakespeare provides a humorous scene to help relieve the tension Porter talks about how drinking can make someone feel desire, but takes away performance Lennox and Macduff meet with Macbeth in the courtyard Lines 55-63 the night was a stormy and evil night (connects with idea of nature being out of balance) L. Macbeth and Macbeth’s murder is unnatural

Macduff has gone into Duncan’s room and found him dead Lennox and Macbeth go to witness Duncan’s death and Macbeth kills the guards—not a good idea, Malcolm and Donalbain are immediately suspicious Macbeth starts making a speech about why he killed the guards which only makes him seem more suspicious L. Macbeth pretends to faint to take away attention from Macbeth Banquo—wants to meet and talk about the murder to find out what happened and what they should do about it Malcolm is going to England and Donalbain is going to Ireland because they fear for their lives due to the suspicion that they have of Macbeth

Just outside the castle with a random old man and Ross Scene Four: Just outside the castle with a random old man and Ross The old man has never seen such a terrible night And the morning comes and there is no light KEY IMAGERY: DARKNESS=evil Duncan’s horses ate each other last night (nature’s out of balance) Duncan’s body has been taken to Colmekill (and island where Scottish kings are buried) Macduff is going to Fife and Ross to Colmekill http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZQOyiHDptU&feature=related