Macbeth, Act ll

Act II, Scene i Banquo and Fleance are in the courtyard of the castle, Macbeth arrives and Fleance leaves. Banquo tells Macbeth that King Duncan is thankful for the Macbeths’ hospitality. Banquo tells Macbeth that he dreamed of the weird sisters the other night. He admits that the things they said about Macbeth have in fact come true. “I think not of them; yet when we can entreat an hour to serve, we would spend it in some words upon that business.” (Shakespeare, pg 39, line 22) Macbeth attempts to lure Banquo onto his side in return for honor. Banquo in return says “In seeking to argument it, but still keep my bosom franchised and alligiance clear, I shall be counselled.” (Shakespeare, pg 39, line 28)

Continuation of Act II, Scene i Macbeth sends his servant to tell Lady Macbeth to ring the bell when his drink is ready. The servant is not aware but there is no drink instead the bell indicates that it is safe to commit the deed. Macbeth sees a floating bloody dagger while waiting for the bell to be rung. “Is this a dagger which I see before me, the handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee.” (Shakespeare, pg 41, line 33) Not only does he see the dagger as he is walking but he has many evil thoughts and images in his head. A bell rings, inviting Macbeth to Duncan’s room.

Act II, Scene ii Lady Macbeth after drinking awaits Macbeth’s return. Lady Macbeth has already intoxicated the body guards, but fears that Macbeth will not kill Duncan. Macbeth enters, with two bloody daggers. “I laid their daggers ready, he could not miss ’em. Had he not resembled my father as he slept, I had done’t.” (Shakespeare, pg. 43, line 11) Macbeth tells Lady Macbeth that he has done the deed. Macbeth starts to become paranoid, questioning everything he hears. He is obsessed over why he could not say amen and by the voice he heard. The voice was saying “Sleep no more: Macbeth does murder sleep’, the innocent sleep, Sleep that knits the revelled sleeve of care, the death of each day’s life, sore labour’s bath.” (Shakespeare, pg 45, line 39)

Continuation of Act II, Scene ii Lady Macbeth orders Macbeth to wash the evidence off his hands and return the daggers to the scene of the murder. She also tells him to wipe the Duncan’s blood on his servants. Macbeth refuses Lady Macbeth’s orders to return the daggers. “I am afraid to think of what I have done; Look on’t again, I dare not.” (Shakespeare, pg 45, line 55) Lady Macbeth takes the daggers and completes the task for Macbeth. There is knock within and Macbeth is frighten. Lady Macbeth tells Macbeth to return to the their chamber, wash his hands and ignore the thoughts that cause him grief. Lady Macbeth plans the alibi.

Act II, Scene iii The drunken Porter pretends to be the porter of Hell’s gate and admits a greedy farmer, a liar, and a cheating tailor. The drunken Porter goes to answer the door. Macduff and Lennox enter. The porter leaves and Macbeth arrives because he heard the knocking. Macduff has come to see the king because Duncan had told him to call timely on him. Macduff enters Duncan’s room and appears seconds later horrified. Macduff explains that the King is dead and tells Macbeth and Lennox to look for themselves. He then rings the alarm bells to wake the sleeping occupants of the house. Lady Macbeth and Banquo enter wondering what has occurred.

Continuation of Act ll, Scene iii They are told that Duncan has been murdered. Lady Macbeth pretends to be concerned and shocked. Macbeth states that Duncan’s death has emptied the world of meaning. Malcolm and Donaldbain enter demanding to know what happened. Macbeth and Macduff tell them that their father is dead. Malcolm asks who is responsible for their father’s death. Lennox tells them that it appears that his body guards were responsible. “Their hands and faces were all badged with blood, so were their daggers which, unwiped, we found upon their pillows.” (Shakespeare, pg 55, line 95)

Continuation of Act ll, Scene iii Macbeth justifies his killing of the bodyguards. “Th’expedition of my violent love outran the pauser, reason.” (Shakespeare, pg 55, line 104) Malcolm and Donaldbain fear for their safety. Banquo and the others swear to investigate the matter. Everyone exits expect Malcolm and Donaldbain. Malcolm and Donaldbain suspect danger and feel the best thing to do is to leave Scotland. “There’s daggers in men’s smiles; the nea’er in blood, the nearer bloody.” (Shakespeare, pg. 57, line 133) Malcolm goes England and Donaldbain goes to Ireland.

Act ll, Scene iv Ross and an Old man discuss the unnatural events and darkness that depict Duncan’s murder. Some of the unnatural events they discuss are owls killing falcons and Duncan’s horses eating each other. “Thou seest the heavens’ as troubled with man’s act, threatens his bloody stage.” (Shakespeare, pg. 59, line 5) Shortly after Macduff arrives. Ross questions whether it is known who murdered Duncan. Macduff says that it was the bodyguards who Macbeth killed. Ross asks what they could have gained from the murder. Macduff reveals that they were bribed by Duncan’s sons.

Continuation of Act ll, Scene iv “Malcolm and Donaldbain, the king’s two sons, are stol’n away and fled, which puts upon them suspicion of the deed.” (Shakespeare, pg. 61, line 25) Macduff informs Ross that it has been decided that Macbeth will be king and he is already going to Scone to be crowned. He also says that Duncan’s body has been carried to Colmkill. The traditional place where the Kings of Scotland are buried. Ross says that he is going to the crowning ceremony but Macduff says he is not. Macduff is not going to the crowning because he has suspicions about Macbeth. The Old Man blesses Ross and Macduff. Malcolm Donaldbain

Works Cited Banham, Russ. Macbeth, dagger. Image. 3 April 2008. <http://www.seattleshakespeare.org/2006-2007/macbeth/>. Fisher, David. Macbeth 2. Image. 3 April 2008. <http://www.dailyinfo.co.uk/reviews/feature/1043/Macbeth/> Uknown. Map of the United Kingdom. Image. 3 April 2008. <http://www.raaltd.com/locations.htm>. Rich, Frank. Malcolm. Image. 3 April 2008. <http://pretallez.com/onstage/theatre/broadway/macbeth/810124ny_macbeth. html>. Ousley, Robert. King Duncan. Image. 3 April 2008. <http://www.robertousley.com/Gallery_II.html>. Unknown. Macbeth illustration 2. Image. 3 April 2008. <http://gallery.nen.gov.uk/image58041-.html>. National Education Network Administrator. Macbeth Illustration 5.Image. 3 April 2008. <http://gallery.nen.gov.uk/image58041-.html>. Unknown. Night sky. Image. 3 April 2008. <http://thinkones.com/>.