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Act 2 Scene I Macbeth's Castle

1. Banquo There's

husbandry in heaven; their

candles are all out…merciful

powers, restrain in me the

cursed thoughts that nature

gives way to in repose!

2. Banquo This diamond he

[Duncan] greets your wife

withal

3. Banquo

4. Banquo still keep my…allegiance

clear

5 Macbeth

which I see before

me……fatal vision…a dagger

of the mind, a false

creation…from the heat

oppressed brain? It is the

bloody business which

informs thus to mine eyes.

6. Macbeth Now … Nature

seems dead… witchcraft

celebrates pale Hecate's

offerings…wither'd murderWith Tarquin's ravishing stowards his design moves like a ghost

7. Macbeth Hear not my steps… take

the present horror from my mind

Imagery in Act 2 Scene 1

dagger, eyes, blood, sleep, witc

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Act 2 Scene I Macbeth's Castle 1. Banquo refers to the starless night, ‘candles…Macbeth’s ‘stars hide your fires’ of Act 1 sc 4. Banquo admits to secret temptations—for a dynasty [of kings’ predicted by the witches in Act 1 scene 2]?

husbandry in heaven; their

candles are all out…merciful

powers, restrain in me the

cursed thoughts that nature

gives way to in repose!

This diamond he

greets your wife

2. Duncan’s trusting generositydemonstrated. His gift to Lady Macbeth shows that he still finds the ‘minds construction in the face’. It is ironical as she is plotting his death at that moment.

I dreamt last

night of the

three weird

sisters: to you

they have

show'd some

truth

3. Banquo dwells on the witches and their predictionsfact that in Macbeth’s case they have come true.his sub-conscious, via his dreams.is likely, given what he says at the start of Act 3, that they would have eventually corrupted him.

still keep my…allegiance 4. Banquo seals his fate when hedeclares loyalty Macbeth sounds him out him ‘honour’ in the future

Macbeth Is this a dagger

which I see before

me……fatal vision…a dagger

of the mind, a false

creation…from the heat-

oppressed brain? It is the

bloody business which

informs thus to mine eyes.

5. Macbeth’s conscience causes him to hallucinate a dagger. This illusion is a product of his overstressed mind. It is a sign of guilt at his imminent murder of Duncan.

Now … Nature

seems dead… witchcraft

celebrates pale Hecate's

offerings…wither'd murder With Tarquin's ravishing strides, towards his design moves like a ghost

6. Darkness suspends nature and enables unnatural deeds to be done. It is the time when witevil, when murder is plotted. reference to a Roman Tyrant who rapes the matron Lucrece creates an atmosphere of danger, a feeling of terrible violation.

Hear not my steps… take

the present horror from my mind

7.Macbeth craves secrecy, feels feardespite his wife’s encouragement.

Imagery in Act 2 Scene 1 sword, heaven, candles, nature,

dagger, eyes, blood, sleep, witchcraft, wolf, ghost, bell, hell

Neill 2013 ©

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Banquo refers to the starless … out’. This echoes

‘stars hide your fires’

Banquo admits to secret for a dynasty [the ‘line

predicted by the witches in

2. Duncan’s trusting generosity is demonstrated. His gift to Lady Macbeth shows that he still finds minds construction in the ’. It is ironical as she is plotting

his death at that moment. 3. Banquo dwells on the witches and their predictions-especially the fact that in Macbeth’s case they have come true. They have entered

conscious, via his dreams. It is likely, given what he says at the

, that they would have eventually corrupted him.

seals his fate when he to Duncan after

sounds him out providing in the future.

5. Macbeth’s conscience causes him llucinate a dagger. This illusion

is a product of his overstressed mind. It is a sign of guilt at his imminent murder of Duncan.

6. Darkness suspends nature and enables unnatural deeds to be done. It is the time when witches perform evil, when murder is plotted. The reference to a Roman Tyrant who rapes the matron Lucrece creates an

phere of danger, a feeling of

7.Macbeth craves secrecy, feels fear despite his wife’s encouragement.

sword, heaven, candles, nature,

hcraft, wolf, ghost, bell, hell

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Act 2 Scene ii Court of Macbeth's

Castle

1. Lady Macbeth That which

hath made them drunk hath made

me bold… I have drugg'd their

possets,

2. Lady M It was the owl that

shriek'd, the fatal bellman

3. Lady M Had he not resembled my

father as he slept, I

done't

4. Macbeth I have done

the deed

5. Macbeth This is a sorry

sight.

Looking on his hands

6. Macbeth But wherefore could not I

pronounce 'Amen'?

7. Lady M These deeds must not be

thought after these ways; so, it

will make us mad….'tis the eye

of childhood that fears a painted devil

8. Macbeth Methought I

heard a voice cry 'Sleep no

more! Macbeth does murder

sleep', the innocent sleep, chief

nourisher in life's feast…

9. Lady M You do unbend your noble

strength, to think so brainsickly of

things

10 Lady M wash this filthy

witness from your hand. Why

did you bring these daggers

from the place?

11. Macbeth I am afraid to think what

I have done; Look on't again I dare not

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Act 2 Scene ii Court of Macbeth's 1. In this world the powerful have servants and guards. Lady Macbeth has paralysed Duncan’s guards by lacing their drinks. She feels brave after a stiff drink herself.

That which

unk hath made

me bold… I have drugg'd their

It was the owl that

shriek'd, the fatal bellman

2. Symbol of death, sign of fearsuperstition was normal in Macbeth’s world

Had he not resembled my

had

3. Lady Macbeth must beniece. This is howDuncan’s cousin and the throne.

I have done 4. Macbeth cannot name murder of Duncan

This is a sorry

Looking on his hands

5. Duncan’s blood makes Macbeth guilty. He acts as if his hands and not his self committed regicide.

But wherefore could not I

6. Macbeth is spiritually dead, as if he has given his soul to the devil. In this world, to kill a king is to kill God’s anointed.

These deeds must not be

thought after these ways; so, it

will make us mad….'tis the eye

of childhood that fears a painted devil

7. Ironically, Lady M reality as an antidote to madness. She pretends guilt is childish.eye is a traditional symbol of guilt in tragic drama.

Methought I

heard a voice cry 'Sleep no

more! Macbeth does murder

sleep', the innocent sleep, chief

urisher in life's feast…

8. Macbeth has offended against nature and God. He believes he is doomed to suffer insomnia. This will make him paranoid and unstable.

You do unbend your noble

strength, to think so brainsickly of

9 Lady M appealand self-control. In this world, there is no respect for sensitive males

wash this filthy

witness from your hand. Why

did you bring these daggers

from the place?

10 She thinks the solution is simply to remove the evidence. Shhis failure to plant the evidence on the guards.

I am afraid to think what

I have done; Look on't again I dare not

11. Macbeth cannot bear to look at the crime scene

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1. In this world the powerful have servants and guards. Lady Macbeth has paralysed Duncan’s guards by lacing their drinks. She feels brave after a stiff drink herself.

2. Symbol of death, sign of fear—superstition was normal in Macbeth’s world

acbeth must be Duncan’s . This is how Macbeth is

Duncan’s cousin and third in line to

4. Macbeth cannot name the murder of Duncan directly.

5. Duncan’s blood makes Macbeth guilty. He acts as if his hands and not his self committed regicide.

6. Macbeth is spiritually dead, as if e has given his soul to the devil. In this world, to kill a king is to kill God’s anointed. 7. Ironically, Lady M urges denial of reality as an antidote to madness. She pretends guilt is childish. The eye is a traditional symbol of guilt in

8. Macbeth has offended against nature and God. He believes he is doomed to suffer insomnia. This will make him paranoid and unstable.

9 Lady M appeals to his manliness control. In this world, there

is no respect for sensitive males

10 She thinks the solution is simply to remove the evidence. She attacks his failure to plant the evidence on

11. Macbeth cannot bear to look at the crime scene

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12. Macbeth What hands

are here? ha! they pluck out

mine eyes.

13. Macbeth

Neptune's ocean wash this

blood clean from my hand?

No, this my hand will rather

the multitudinous seas

incarnadine, making the green one re

14. Lady M A little water

clears us of this deed:

How easy is it, then!

15. Macbeth To

know my deed,

'twere best not

know myself

Fire, owl, daggers, sleep, hands, sleep that knits

up the ravell'd sleeve of care, nature, water, blood,

eye, seas, heart, red, green, white.

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What hands

are here? ha! they pluck out

12 He deludes himself that his hand and not his self did the deed. Macbeth wants to inflict selfpunishment due to his guilt. He refers to the classical tragic gesture of self-blinding from the play ‘Oedipus The King’, by Sophocles. In Sshakespeare’s other tragedies, Lear and Hamlet the eye is a key symbol of guilt or blindness.

Macbeth Will all great

Neptune's ocean wash this

blood clean from my hand?

No, this my hand will rather

the multitudinous seas

making the green one red

13. Macbeth is so overwhelmed with guilt that he feels he can’t be purified. He imagines his bloody hand will redden the oceans. His corruption will infect the universe.We feel pity at the depth of his guilt, so poetically expressed.

A little water

clears us of this deed:

How easy is it, then!

14. Lady M has a superficial attitude to their crime. She suffers her own intense guilt in Act V, expressed in sight and smell. Her Arabia’ that cannot clean the smell of blood from her hand‘ocean’ that cannot wash his guilty hands.

15. Macbeth’s intense guilt leads to self-hatred after the crime. This will transform him into tyrant bloodyMacduff says in Act IV.important to understand that Macbeth’s later cruelty probably stems from his need to live in denial of all feelings, as the feeling of guilt was too unbearable. He cannot live with his betrayal of Duncan.

daggers, sleep, hands, sleep that knits

up the ravell'd sleeve of care, nature, water, blood,

eye, seas, heart, red, green, white.

Neill 2013 ©

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12 He deludes himself that his hand and not his self did the deed. Macbeth wants to inflict self-punishment due to his guilt. He refers to the classical tragic gesture

blinding from the play ‘Oedipus The King’, by Sophocles.

are’s other tragedies, Lear and Hamlet the eye is a key symbol of guilt or blindness. 13. Macbeth is so overwhelmed with guilt that he feels he can’t be purified. He imagines his bloody hand will redden the oceans. His corruption will infect the universe. We feel pity at the depth of his guilt, so poetically expressed.

14. Lady M has a superficial attitude to their crime. She suffers her own intense guilt in Act V, expressed in sight and smell. Her ‘Perfumes of

that cannot clean the smell od from her hand match his

that cannot wash his guilty

15. Macbeth’s intense guilt leads to hatred after the crime. This will

transform him into ‘an untitled -sceptered’ as

Macduff says in Act IV. It is important to understand that Macbeth’s later cruelty probably stems from his need to live in denial of all feelings, as the feeling of guilt was too unbearable. He cannot live with his betrayal of Duncan.

daggers, sleep, hands, sleep that knits

up the ravell'd sleeve of care, nature, water, blood,

Imagery

in Act 2

Scene 2

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Act 2 scene iii. Macbeth's castle.

1. Porter this place is too cold for hell. 'll devil-porter it no further… I had thought to have let in some of all professions that go the

primrose way to the everlasting bonfire

2. Porter Faith, here's an equivocator, that could swear in both the scales against either scale… much drink may

be said to be an equivocator with lechery

3.Macduff He did command me to call timely on him.

4. Lennox The night has been unruly: … strange

screams of death, and prophesying with accents terribleOf dire combustion and confused

events

5. Macduff O horror, horror, horror! Tongue nor heart cannot concei

name thee! Confusion now hath made his masterpiece! Destroy your sight with a new Gorgon

6. Macduff Most sacrilegious murder hath broke ope the Lord's anointed

temple

7. Macbeth Had I but died an hour

before this chance, I had liblessed time

8. Lennox Those of his chamber, as it seem'd, had done 't…badged with blood

9. Macbeth O, yet I do repent me of my fury, that I did kill them… his gash'd stabs look'd like a breach in nature

10. Banquo let us meet, and question this most bloody piece

of work… against the undivulged pretence I fight of treasonous

malice

11. Donalbain

our separated fortune shall keep us both the saferThere's daggers in men’s

smiles.

porter of hell-gate , equivocator, dire combustion, Gorgon, the Lord's anointed temple, badged with blood,

breach in nature, bloody piece of work,

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Act 2 scene iii. Macbeth's castle. 1. The Porter sees Macbeth’s Castle as hell. This is an image of suffering as well as evil. Inverness is unnatural, a hell on earth. Using black humour, he mocks contemporary rogues. His role is to amuse the audience by moaning in his hungstate about his place of work. He points to the world of 1606. The primrose pathof fun. The bonfire is hell.

this place is too porter it ought to

have let in some of all professions that go the

way to the everlasting bonfire

Faith, here's an equivocator, that could swear in both the scales against either scale… much drink may

be said to be an equivocator with

2. The Porter emphasises the theme of deception, of moral reversal. He jests at the ambiguous impact of drink on male sexual behaviour. He is a pantomime figure, a jester.

He did command me 3. Macduff is a trusted ally of Duncan and seems to lead his escort.

The night has been unruly: … strange

screams of death, and prophesying with accents terrible Of dire combustion and confused

4. Nature seems apocalyptic due to the regicide: ‘against the use of nature’about it in Act I sc 3. All this echoes one half world Nature seems dead’ 1 and ‘unnatural deeds do breed unnatural troubles’ Act 5 sc 1.

O horror, horror, horror! Tongue nor heart cannot conceive nor

name thee! Confusion now hath made

Destroy your sight with a new Gorgon

5. Macduff voices dismay and shock at the bloody regicide. It will bring disorder and despair, and inflict hurt on all who view the dead king

Most sacrilegious murder hath broke ope the Lord's anointed

6. Due to belief in the Divregicide is a crime against God. Kingship is sacred in this world.

Had I but died an hour

before this chance, I had lived a

7. Macbeth’s hypocritical words also point to a secret death wish, so great is his guilt.

Those of his chamber, as it seem'd, had done 't…badged with blood

8. Lady Macbeth’s plan to frame the Duncan’s guards has worked.

O, yet I do repent me of my fury, that I did kill them… his gash'd stabs look'd like a breach in nature

9. Macbeth pretends to have committed a passionate act of revenge and Lady Macbeth distracts all by fainting—

let us meet, and question this most bloody piece

gainst the undivulged pretence I fight of treasonous

10. Banquo seeks the truth, a factor in Macbeth’s decision to kill him. B. says in play'dst most foully for't’. ‘Our fears in Banquo stick deep’

Donalbain To Ireland, I;

our separated fortune shall keep us both the safer … There's daggers in men’s

11. Duncan’s sons decide to flee as a means of self-preservation. Donalbain dagger images, and the theme of equivocation.The brothers split to guard Duncan’s dynasty.

gate , equivocator, dire combustion, Gorgon, the Lord's anointed temple, badged with blood,

breach in nature, bloody piece of work, daggers

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1. The Porter sees Macbeth’s Castle as hell. This is an image of suffering as well as evil. Inverness is unnatural, a hell on earth. Using black humour, he mocks contemporary rogues. His role is to

the audience by moaning in his hung-over state about his place of work. He points to the

primrose path stands for a life is hell.

2. The Porter emphasises the theme of deception, of moral reversal. He jests at the ambiguous impact of drink on male sexual behaviour. He is a pantomime figure, a jester.

d ally of Duncan and seems

4. Nature seems apocalyptic due to the regicide: of nature’ as Macbeth said

about it in Act I sc 3. All this echoes ‘o'er the one half world Nature seems dead’ of Act 2 sc

‘unnatural deeds do breed unnatural

5. Macduff voices dismay and shock at the bloody

It will bring disorder and despair, and inflict hurt on all who view the dead king—classical image.

6. Due to belief in the Divine Right of Kings, a crime against God. Kingship is sacred

7. Macbeth’s hypocritical words also point to a secret death wish, so great is his guilt.

8. Lady Macbeth’s plan to frame the Duncan’s

9. Macbeth pretends to have committed a passionate act of revenge and Lady Macbeth

—was it pretence or real?

10. Banquo seeks the truth, a factor in Macbeth’s decision to kill him. B. says in 3 i ‘I fear,thou

ully for't’. Later Macbeth says ‘Our fears in Banquo stick deep’

11. Duncan’s sons decide to flee as a means of preservation. Donalbain echoes the many

dagger images, and the theme of equivocation. The brothers split to guard Duncan’s dynasty.

Gorgon, the Lord's anointed temple, badged with blood, Imagery in Act 2 Scene 3

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Act 2 Scene iv Outside

Macbeth’s Castle

1. Ross the heavens, as

troubled with man's act,

threaten his bloody stage

2. Old Man 'Tis

unnatural, even like the

deed

that's

done. On

Tuesday last, a

falcon, towering

pride of place, was by a mousing

owl hawk'd at and kill'd.

'Tis said they [Duncan’s horses]

eat each other

3. Ross Here comes the good

Macduff

4. Macduff They were suborn'd:

Malcolm and Donalbain, the

king's two sons, are stol'n away

and fled; which puts upon them

suspicion of the deed.

5. Ross Then 'tis most

like the sovereignty

[kingship] will fall upon

Macbeth

6. Ross Will you to Scone?

Macduff No, cousin, I'll to Fife.

Macduff Well,

may you see

things well

done there:

adieu! Lest

our old robes sit

easier than our new!

heavens, bloody stage, falcon, mousing owl,

lest our old robes sit easier than our new!

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Act 2 Scene iv Outside

1. Ross repeats the theme of nature being disturbed. He uses a pagan image of the Gods avenging human evil through disasters.

the heavens, as

troubled with man's act,

threaten his bloody stage

unnatural, even like the

in her

pride of place, was by a mousing

owl hawk'd at and kill'd.

'Tis said they [Duncan’s horses]

2. There is a direct parallel between Macbeth and the mousing owl in this image of lower rank killers slaying their betters. Equine cannibalism is also another image of nature gone awry. The Old Man speaks in a riddle or analogy of Macbeth’s crime. Nature parallels the human world

Here comes the good 3. Note Macduff’s reputation and popularity.

They were suborn'd:

Malcolm and Donalbain, the

king's two sons, are stol'n away

and fled; which puts upon them

suspicion of the deed.

4. Macduff voices public opinion as engineered by Macbeth. The official story blames Duncan’s cowardly, ineffectual but innocent sons.

Then 'tis most

like the sovereignty

will fall upon

5. Ross, who announced to elevation to Thane of Cawdor, informs uthat Macbeth will be king. He will succeed to the throne as the next male relative.

Will you to Scone?

No, cousin, I'll to Fife.

Well,

done there:

easier than our new!

6. Macduff keeps his distance from the new king. He refuses to attend the coronationsign of his dissent. Through the metaphor of costume, Macduff voices his fears that Macbeth’s rule will be less agreeable than Duncan’s style of rule. In his world, costume showed your social rank. This echoes Macbeth’s image of ‘borrowed robes’ in act 1 scene 2.Each king had a unique

heavens, bloody stage, falcon, mousing owl,

lest our old robes sit easier than our new!

Imagery in Act 2

Scene 4

Neill 2013 ©

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1. Ross repeats the theme of nature being

He uses a pagan image of the Gods avenging human evil through disasters.

2. There is a direct parallel between e mousing owl in this image

of lower rank killers slaying their betters. Equine cannibalism is also another image of

The Old Man speaks in a riddle or analogy of Macbeth’s crime. Nature parallels the human world—pathetic fallacy.

3. Note Macduff’s reputation and popularity.

4. Macduff voices public opinion as engineered by Macbeth. The official story blames Duncan’s cowardly, ineffectual but

announced to Macbeth his Thane of Cawdor, informs us

that Macbeth will be king. He will succeed to the throne as the next male relative.

. Macduff keeps his distance from the new king. He refuses to attend the coronation—a

Through the metaphor of costume, Macduff voices his fears that Macbeth’s rule will be less agreeable than Duncan’s style of rule.

stume showed your social This echoes Macbeth’s image of

‘borrowed robes’ in act 1 scene 2. a unique style of robe.

Imagery in Act 2

Scene 4