Act 2 Analysis

Question 1

Scene 1

Answer 1

• Banquo and his son, Fleance, go for a walk at night. Fleance is a reminder to the audience about the Witches’ prophecy that Banquo’s sons will be Kings.
• There are not any stars: “Their candles are all out”, so it is very dark. The darkness symbolises the evil that Macbeth is about to do. The starless sky also echos Duncan’s speech in Act 1, Scene 4 about stars shining on the deserving – Macbeth is undeserving
• Macbeth promises that if Banquo supports him, he’ll “honour” him, but Banquo replies that he’ll only help Macbeth if he can keep his “allegiance clear”. This shows that he’s loyal to Duncan.

Question 2

Scene 2

Answer 2

• Lady Macbeth waits for Macbeth to return from killing Duncan. She’s startled by every noise, and she says that she couldn’t kill Duncan because he reminded her of her father. This suggests that Lady Macbeth isn’t as merciless as she appears
• The murder takes place offstage – this increases suspense and makes the audience imagine the killing, which makes it more horrific. It also lets the audience see how Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are affected by their experience in Duncan’s room.
• There’s a lot of foreshadowing in this scene:
• Macbeth doubts that “Neptunes ocean” will clean the blood off his hands – showing he’s feeling guilty. Lady Macbeth doesn’t seem as bothered by her bloody hands – it’s ironic foreshadowing of her frenzied hand washing in act 5
• Macbeth says he’s “murdered sleep” – sleep symbolises peace and a clear conscience, so murdering sleep shows that he’s wracked with guilt. This also foreshadows Lady Macbeth’s sleepwalking in act 5
• There are also references to insanity – Lady Macbeth talks about Macbeth going “mad” and being “brain-sickly” –it’s and ironic foreshadowing of her own madness later
• The stage directions add to the tension –there’s a repetition of a knocking sound, which gives a sense of urgency. This seems to echo Macbeth’s pounding heart, and is a sign of his fear and guilt

Question 3

Scene 3

Answer 3

• The Porter’s comic monolouge relieves the tension, but also builds suspense before Duncan’s body us found
• Macduff finds Duncan’s body –his reaction shows how horrified he is, and makes the murder seem even worse
• Macbeth confesses to killing Duncan’s servants out of rage. When Lady Macbeth hears this she faints. This could be to distract the other characters from Macbeth’s suspicious behaviour, or she may actually be horrified by Macbeth’s violence, which she didn’t help plan
• Malcolm and Donalbain run away because they fear for their lives. It makes them look guilty and allows Macbeth to take the throne

Question 4

Scene 4

Answer 4

• Strange events have happened since Duncan’s death, which show how the natural order has been disrupted. A country’s well-being is linked to that of it’s king, so these events are bad omens for Macbeth’s reign.
• The scene ends with Macduff telling Rosse that Macbeth will be king. Macduff isn’t going to the coronation – this suggests that he’s suspicious of Macbeth so making him a main enemy of Macbeth’s.

Question 5

What theme is present in Act 1?

Answer 5

The Supernatural : In his soliloquy Macbeth talks about “witchcraft”, “Hecates offerings” and “a ghost”. This links Macbeth to the Witches and shows how he’s affected by their predictions. He starts seeing visions of a dagger – it’s not clear if it’s leading him to commit murder or warning him against it

Question 6

What writers technique is used in Scene 3?

Answer 6

Language : Before Duncan’s body is found, Macbeth speaks in short sentences – “Twas a rough night”, “Not yet” –he seems distracted and tense. This highlights his guilt and nervousness
- When Duncan’s body is discovered, Macbeth’s language changes – he describes Duncan’s “silver skin laced with his golden blood”. His poetic language seems false