1. Wednesday March 8th Exploring the murder in Act Two
Exploring the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth

2. Question – who is in control?
What is Macbeth’s attitude to murdering Duncan?
What is Lady Macbeth’s attitude to murdering Duncan?
Who is in most control?
Write your answer down and EXPLAIN your answer.

3. Act 2 – Scene 1
Banquo’s son Fleance is introduced which reminds us of the witches’ prophecy that Banquo’s sons will be kings.
Also, Banquo seems more of a moral person than Macbeth. Shakespeare seems to contrast them.
Macbeth is left alone and imagines he sees a dagger in front of him. A dagger which guides him towards his goal of killing Duncan. Suddenly, he is resolved to killing Duncan, despite Duncan giving him more honours. It’s a very famous scene.

4. Act 2 Scene 2
Very nervous, Lady Macbeth waits for Macbeth to do the deed. Her mood is bold as she boasts how she’s drugged the guards.
Macbeth enters carrying two blood-stained knives. He is tormented by guilt but Lady Macbeth tries to lessen his guilt and rationalise his fears. She then criticises him for failing to leave the daggers on the ground by the guards so has to go back and do it herself as Macbeth is too frightened.
A knocking at the gate means they must quickly go to bed and pretend to be surprised when Duncan’s body is found.

5. Act 2 Scene 2
Read along…

6. Why shall Macbeth ‘sleep no more’?
Methought I heard a voice cry. ‘Sleep no more:/ Macbeth doth murder sleep’, the innocent sleep,/ Sleep that knits up the ravelled sleeve of care,/ The death of each day’s life, sore labour’s bath…
What is Macbeth comparing sleep to? What metaphors does he use? What do they say about his state of mind?
Why shall Macbeth ‘sleep no more’?

7. Go get some water/And wash this filthy witness from your hand
Go get some water/And wash this filthy witness from your hand./ Why did you bring these daggers from the place?
I’ll go no more./ I am afraid to think what I have done;/ Look on’t again, I dare not.

8. Lady Macbeth’s resolve
Despite her nervous worry, Lady M is entirely in control of herself and her husband. She planned the execution and now it’s her readiness of mind and strength of purpose that compensate for Macbeth’s failure to act decisively when the murder’s done.
Shakespeare seems to show Lady M is focused on the need to keep the plan. She orders Macbeth to go back and place the daggers by the guards, but he’s too scared. He’s much more concerned with spiritual and moral implications of what he has done, the deep damnation, in fact, that he has brought on himself.

9. Infirm of purpose! Give me the daggers.
The sleeping and the dead Are but as pictures; tis
the eye of childhood That fears the painted devil.

10. Give me the daggers

11. What does Macbeth say of his hands?
What hands are here! Ha, they pluck out mine eyes.
Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood
Clean from my hand?
What does Macbeth say of his hands?

12. Whence is that knocking?
My hands are of your colour, but I shame/ to wear a heart so white. I hear a knocking/ At the south entry. Retire we to our chamber;/ A little water clears us of this deed./ How easy it is then!

13. What has happened in Act 2 Scene 2
What has happened in Act 2 Scene 2? Describe what you remember in as much detail as possible.
What has Shakespeare shown us about the relationship between husband and wife in this scene?

14. Question to consider
Why has Shakespeare not chosen to show the actual murder of Duncan?
If you were directing the play/a film version, would you insert a scene showing the murder? Why or why not?

15. Exploring how the Macbeths’ relationship changes

16. Add to your Macbeth and Lady Macbeth character profiles using all the information you’ve discovered so far.

17. Plotting the Relationship Between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth
Act 1 Scene 5.
Act 1 Scene 7.
The morning after the murder.
After Macbeth’s coronation.
The banquet.
After the banquet.

18. Plotting the Relationship Between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth
Act 1 Scene 5
Act 1 Scene 7
The morning after the murder
After the coronation
The banquet
After the banquet

19. The murder is discovered by Macduff.
Macbeth kills the guards – and tells everyone he killed Duncan’s servants/guards out of anger on hearing about Duncan.
When Lady Macbeth hears this, she faints, maybe to distract everyone from her husband’s weird, suspicious behaviour.
WHAT HAS CHANGED ABOUT MACBETH??
WHY DOES LADY MACBETH FAINT IN YOUR OPINION?

20. Duncan’s sons, Malcolm and Donalbain flee, fearing they will be targeted. This means Macbeth can be crowned King.
Macduff (Thane of Fife and a moral man) also says the sons are feared to have paid the guards to kill their father.

21. Banquo starts getting suspicious
Banquo starts getting suspicious. He remembers what the witches said and wonders if Macbeth obtained the crown through treachery.
Abroad, Malcolm and Donalbain are spreading rumours and Macbeth wonders what to do with them.
He also wonders what to do about Banquo…will Macbeth kill his friend?
He meets two murderers and passionately outlines why Banquo is their mutual enemy and they agree to kill him and his son! NOTE Lady Macbeth has nothing to do with this… What does this show about their relationship?

22. Act 3 scene 2
In pairs, read the scene p95 – 99 between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth and answer these questions:
What do you notice about the man Macbeth has become?
Is Lady Macbeth controlling her husband now? .

23. Act 3, scene 3 Summary
As you know, Macbeth has sent two murderers to take care of Banquo and Fleance.
A third murderer joins the original two. Why do you suppose that is?
Banquo is killed, but Fleance manages to escape.
How do you suppose Macbeth will react to this news?

24. The Banquet scene
The following roles will need to be read for this scene:
Macbeth
Lords
Lady Macbeth
First Murderer
Lennox
Ross

25. Questions to consider
How does Lady Macbeth react to Macbeth’s strange actions in this scene?
What sort of language does she use? Scared? Happy? Worried?
What does she say to the guests?

26. How does Lady Macbeth feel about her husband?
O proper stuff! O, these flaws and starts,/ Imposters to true fear, would well become/ A woman’s story at a winter fire/ Authorized by her grandam. Shame itself!/ Why do you make such faces? When all’s done/ You look but on a stool.

27. Lady Macbeth eventually takes control of the scene, ordering everyone else to leave.
Why did she not dismiss the others sooner? Has the damage already been done?

28. What has happened to Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s relationship?
Describe how it has changed since Act 1.

29. Can you find evidence to back up these points in Act 3 Scene 4?
Lady Macbeth seems strained.
Macbeth, who has been terrified seems casual in his attitude to what’s happened.
Lady Macbeth is doing damage limitation.
They are King and Queen surrounded by loyal subjects – it’s their dream – but not happy!
The close bond between them is beginning to dissolve. She covers for him, but it’s a strain.
He no longer talks of “we” but more about himself.

30. Write a diary entry by Macbeth/Lady Macbeth about the events that have happened so far.
Key point – make sure you refer to your wife/husband and their actions. Eg Macbeth fearful or her/Lady Macbeth targeting his weak points….
Try to include some lines from the play.