Macbeth Act II Notes

Act 2, Sc i

•  Macbeth imagines the dagger

• Fleance associated with "light" imagery

• Stars are hiding = darkness imagery - parallel to what Macbeth and

L.Macbeth asked for - nature reflecting human actions?

• Banquo is also thinking about the witches (but only in his sleep)

◦   Allows us to have some sympathy for Macbeth (not the only one) 

 2nd crucial soliloguy -> Floating Dagger

•   Theme of illusion vs reality = imagines dagger… however,

previously Macbeth knew the difference between illusion vs
reality (a false face…) now he is the VICTIM -> can’t distinguish
between the two.

• Foreshadowing: handle dripping in blood

• Allusion/Symbol: Bell ringing: ill omen…death

• Darkness imagery: Tarquins ravishing strides, Hecate, stealthy wolf,

etc.: all leading to Duncan’s death

•  Before he was sure that Duncan was going to heaven, now he’s not,
which makes the cruelty of the crime greater

• Falling into his downfall… ambition is taking over (even his senses)
 

Act 2, Scene ii

• Macbeth kills Duncan

• Many paradoxes: drunk/bold, quenched/fire

• Symbol = owl, crickets = ill omen/death

•  Lady Macbeth does not kill Duncan, says that he looked like her father l 13 -
> Questions her character… all talk? Follows gender stereotypes?

• Killing the king = regicide -> divine right of kingship -> Macbeth has violated
this natural order Macbeth cannot say “amen” = separation from God
 • He is extremely paranoid and regretful

• Lady Macbeth takes control -> very shortsighted and cruel:  “A little water
clears us of this deed” l 66

• Macbeth feels guilty -> “wake Duncan…” l 75 -> what does this say about his
character

Act 2, Scene iii 

• Discovery of the dead King Duncan

• Porter pretends that he is opening the gates of hell -> symbolic/ ironic -> just
killed the king

•  Disturbances in nature.  Lennox talks about how the night has been unruly ->
chimney’s blown down, strange screams, owl, shaking earth, etc… ll 55-64

• Questions stereotypes of gender-> Macduff: “t’is not for you to hear" ll.85-87

• Ironic beause she participated in the murder -> but faints as well 

• Macbeth = very dramatic over the top -> giving himself away in a sense

• Macbeth kills the guards and Macduff responds, “wherefore did you so?” =
already suspicious

• Clothing motif l 135

•  Malcolm flees to England

• Donalbain flees to Ireland

• Interesting that Malcolm flees rather than take control… what might
Shakespeare be saying about Malcolm?  Patrilineal vs electoral?

◦ Leaves the throne open

Act 2, Scene iv

Find out about disturbances in nature/ Macbeth has been named king

Disturbances:

1. It is dark out when it should be light (ironic that lady Macbeth and Macbeth
called to darkness to hide their actions, ironically, it occurs in response to
them… why?)
 2. A falcon (Duncan) was killed by an owl (Macbeth)

3. Horses started to eat each other

•    Macduff chooses not to go see Macbeth crowned -> foreshadows suspicions

on both sides

 Interesting that the throne derives from a different system.  Is it still divine right?