Scene 1

• In this scene Macbeth delivers a great speech. Identify his expressions of fear and
determination. What images are suggestive of the murder and horror of the deed? What
feelings might be created in the audience during this soliloquy? Detail the similarities to Lady
Macbeth’s earlier speech.

In Act 2, Scene 1, Macbeth delivers a soliloquy in which Shakespeare uses recurring imagery to
invoke feelings of distress and horror in the audience. Lines such as “A dagger of the mind, a false
creation” and “on thy blade and dudgeon gouts of blood” repeatedly refer to daggers, representing
the violence of his deed. In addition to this, Shakespeare uses blood to symbolise the guilt that stains
Macbeth’s conscience. These images also hold similarities to Lady Macbeth’s speech in Act 1, Scene
5, where she expresses her enthusiasm for the murder she plans for her husband to commit. Wishing
for spirits to “make thick my blood” and for night to “pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell, that my
keen knife see not the wound it makes”, her passion contrasts with the fearful atmosphere that
Shakespeare creates in Macbeth’s soliloquy. Though these images are used to create different moods
throughout the play, both blood and daggers come to represent guilt and violence.

• Why is Banquo so careful in his reply to Macbeth’s, “It shall make honour for you”?

Act 2, Scene 1, begins with an uneasy conversation between Banquo and Macbeth. Dismissing
Banquo’s concerns about the witches’ prophecy, Macbeth tells him that “I think not of them”.
However, this is followed by an invitation to discuss the matter later: “Yet when we can entreat an
hour to serve, we would spend it in some words upon that business”. This hints that it troubles
Macbeth more than he lets on, creating a sense of uneasiness both between the characters and for
the audience. Shakespeare enhances this atmosphere by using overly polite language that is
uncharacteristic of the two best friends. An example of this is when Banquo responds to Macbeth's
invite with “At your kinds’t leisure”. This awkward politeness accounts for Banquo’s care in his reply
to Macbeth’s “It shall make honour for you”; during the conversation, he has developed a rightful
suspicion of his friend. Shakespeare, by having Banquo respond with “So I lose none in seeking to
augment it, but still keep my bosom franchised and allegiance clear, I shall be counselled,” creates
contrast between the two characters, as well as dramatic irony. The audience is aware that Macbeth
has lost his honour and no longer has a clear conscience, yet Banquo is the opposite, serving as the
good to his evil.

Scene 2

• What indications are there in Lady Macbeth’s opening comments that she is not in fact as
strong as she would like to be?

Throughout the play, this is the only part I think where I’d give pause. We’re only one and a bit acts in
at this point! Shakespeare showcases her ruthless streak early on, for sure, but I don’t think we’re
quite at mob boss style merciless killer yet.Shakespeare characterises Lady Macbeth as a merciless
killer. However, her opening comments in Act 2, Scene 2 gives the impression that she is not as
strong as she is made out to be. She states “That which hath made them drunk, hath made me bold;
What hath quenched them, hath given me fire.” These lines hint that Lady Macbeth is relying on
alcohol to give her the strength to follow through with the murder. Shakespeare’s choice of language,
particularly the use of “drunk” and “quench’d”, also suggests that she is counting on the oblivion of
drunkness to smother her guilty conscience. A few moments later, Lady Macbeth says that “Had he
not resembled my father as he slept, I had done’t”, admitting that she could not kill the king herself
due to a sentimental affair. Shakespeare ‘hides’ these somewhat out of place lines amongst other
dialogue, giving the impression that she had not meant to say them out loud, lest someone find her
weak. Through the use of these offhand remarks, Shakespeare creates depth in Lady Macbeth’s
character and shows that she is not as strong as she pretends to be.

• Account for the dramatic power of Macbeth’s closing lines.

Macbeth’s closing lines in Act 2, Scene 2, hold great dramatic power. They serve to show that
Macbeth, having killed the king, immediately wishes he could take back his actions. Shakespeare’s
choice of the words “To know my deed, ‘twere best not know myself” reveal that if Macbeth were to
fully comprehend what he has done, then he would see what a monster he has become. This
explains his scattered mind throughout the scene, and why he refuses to finish the job, stating that
“I’ll go no more. I’m afraid to think what I have done; Look on’t again, I dare not.” Macbeth, in
avoidance of the person he is becoming, allows his senses to be taken over with hallucinations, and
his closing lines account for this. Shakespeare, in Macbeth’s final piece of dialogue for the scene, also
shows clearly the regret and guilt he feels. Bidding that whoever is outside “Wake Duncan with thy
knocking: I would thou couldst,” he already wishes that Duncan were still alive. These lines hold
significant dramatic power, allowing the audience to sympathise with Macbeth, a feeling that
disappears quickly as the play progresses.

Scene 3

• What dramatic purposes are served by the Porter’s speech?

---> consider both comic and serious

---> consider also... what is the key word repeating itself, in one form or another, through the
speeches delivered by the Porter?

---> How does this word relate to a major theme of the play? What is the fate of all those who are
discussed by the Porter?

The Porter’s speech in Act 2, Scene 3, has multiple dramatic purposes. Firstly, it serves as comic relief
from the heavy and depressing scene before it, allowing the audience to loosen up. The Porter’s
speech, which is written in prose, contrasts with the iambic verse that most of the script is written in.
Through this relaxed language, Shakespeare indicates that his role is less significant than that of
other characters. However, his cheerful and comedic monologue holds deeper meaning. The Porter,
who pretends to be the gatekeeper of hell, makes several references to the devil in his drunken
rambling. With cries of “Who’s there, i’ th’ name of Beelzebub?” and “Who’s there, in th’other devil’s
name?” the comparison between the castle and hell becomes obvious. Shakespeare creates irony
through this, given the cruel and bloody events occurring that parallel those in hell. The cold-blooded
killing is also incorporated into the Porter’s speech with the line “But this place is too cold for hell.”
This monologue makes it evident that, rather than encountering a welcoming host, those that enter
the castle are placed in the hands of a corrupted and devilish Macbeth.

Scene 4

• Why do we need the account from the Old Man? What does it add dramatically?
 In Act 4, Scene 4, the account from the Old Man serves to provide insight into the happening
outside the castle. The Old Man, in saying that he has “seen hours dreadful and things strange,
but this sore night hath trifled former knowings,” shows the extremity of the disruption caused
by Macbeth. By killing Duncan, he has left his rightful place in the Great Chain of Being, causing
terrible supernatural occurrences. Shakespeare’s idea of nature being out of order is furthered
by Old Man’s recount that “A falcon tow’ring in her pride of place was by a mousing owl hawk’d
at and kill’d.” As well as this, it is said that Duncan’s normally obedient horses “Turn’d wild in
nature, broke their stalls, flung out.” Not only have the animals abandoned their usual natures,
but the weather has also been altered. In Ross’ comment that “the heavens, as troubled with
man’s act, threatens his bloody stage,” Shakespeare adds to the symbolism of the weather; The
storms, which also accompany the witches’ appearances, represent evil and wrongdoing. These
accounts, from both Ross and the Old Man, show the significant consequences of Macbeth’s
actions and how they have affected those outside the castle.

• What purpose does Macduff serve in this scene? Include 2-3 quotes to support your
response.

Macduff, although he has few lines in Act 2, Scene 4, is shown by Shakespeare to be doubtful, yet
warily hopeful, about Macbeth’s innocence. In the scene prior, he questions Macbeth about why he
killed Duncan’s guards, asking “Wherefore did you so?” He then brings it up again when Ross asks
who committed the murder, telling him that it was “Those who Macbeth hath slain.” By choosing this
line, rather than simply saying ‘the chamberlains’, Shakespeare gives the impression that Macduff
still finds it suspicious that Macbeth killed the guards; After all, it would be more sensible to question
them. He also tells Ross that “They were suborn’d,” again hinting that he believes the guards were
not at fault. Macduff’s last line in the scene further solidifies his suspicions surrounding Macbeth, as
he tells Ross “Well may you see things well done there. Adieu, lest our old robes sit easier than our
new.” These lines serve to show that he believes the coronation will not go well without Ross there
to supervise. In addition to this, Shakespeare continues the metaphor of clothing and deception, and
foreshadows Macbeth’s failure as king.