Act 2, Scene 2 Flashcards
What happens in Act 2, Scene 2?
Lady Macbeth waits for Macbeth to return from the murder and reassures herself that she drugged the guard’s wine so they will not wake up. Macbeth returns, alarmed that he heard a noise. He is anxious, saying that he could not say Amen and heard someone crying ‘Sleep no more: Macbeth doth murder sleep’. Lady Macbeth dismisses his fears, saying that he is ‘brain sickly’. She sees that he has brought the guards’ daggers with him rather than planting them at the scene of the crime. She urges him to return the daggers, but he is too scared. Lady Macbeth goes instead. Whilst she is gone, someone begins to knock on the door of the castle. Lady Macbeth returns with bloody hands. She chastises Macbeth’s cowardice saying she would ‘shame to wear a heart so white’. She reassures him that ‘a little water clears us of this deed’; they just need to wash and get into bed so they do not get caught. The knocking continues.
How does Lady Macbeth enter at the beginning of the scene?
Drunk.
How do we know that she is drunk?
‘That which hath made them drunk, hath made me bold’
What is some analysis of ‘that which hath made them drunk, hath made me bold’?
Lady Macbeth is feeling assured and confident. It suggests that she is under the influence of alcohol, but this has only strengthened her power.
What is a quote showing nature and the unnatural and fate?
‘Hark, peace’
How does ‘Hark, peace’ show this?
Both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth were easily startled in this scene. The slightest sound can unsettle and unnerve lady Macbeth with juxtaposes with the brave face and confidence she had put on when entering the room. It foreshadows her feelings of guilt.
What is a quote that represents Macbeths guilt and violence and ambition?
‘But wherefore could I not pronounce Amen? I had most need of blessing and Amen’
What is the device used in the quote ‘‘But wherefore could I not pronounce Amen? I had most need of blessing and Amen’
The device used in this quote is irony. Macbeth reflects on his inability to say “Amen” after committing murder, highlighting the ironic situation where he, having just committed a heinous act, feels the greatest need for a blessing.
What is analysis of this quote?
Macbeth’s inability to say “Amen” reveals the profound guilt and internal turmoil he experiences after murdering King Duncan. Traditionally, “Amen” is a word used to conclude prayers, seeking divine approval or blessing. Macbeth, having disrupted the natural order and committed regicide, finds himself unable to seek or receive divine blessing.
How does this quote represent guilt and conscience?
The quote is closely tied to the themes of guilt and conscience. Macbeth’s struggle to pronounce “Amen” reflects the weight of his conscience and the moral repercussions of his actions.
How does this quote represent violence and ambition?
It also connects with the broader themes of violence and ambition in the play. Macbeth’s ambition led him to commit a violent act, and the aftermath reveals the psychological toll on his conscience.
What does the murder of Duncan mean for Macbeth?
This moment marks a significant shift in Macbeth’s character. His inability to seek a blessing after committing the murder signals the beginning of his descent into guilt, paranoia, and a morally corrupted state.
What is a quote that shows guilt?
Macbeth does murder sleep, — the innocent sleep;
Sleep, that knits up the ravell’d sleave of care,
What is the device used in this quote?
The device used in this quote is metaphor. Macbeth personifies sleep, describing it as something that “knits up the ravell’d sleave of care.”
What is analysis of this quote?
In this soliloquy, Macbeth reflects on the consequences of Duncan’s murder. The metaphorical language used to describe sleep emphasizes its positive and restorative qualities. By saying that Macbeth “murders sleep,” it implies that he has disturbed his own peace of mind and disrupted the natural order. Sleep, depicted as innocent and a healer of life’s troubles, is now tainted by Macbeth’s guilt.
How does this quote represent guilt?
The quote is closely tied to the theme of guilt. Macbeth’s inability to find peaceful sleep reflects the torment of his guilty conscience. The murder he committed has disturbed not only his physical sleep but also the tranquility of his mind.
What is more specific about ‘murdering sleep’?
The image of “murdering sleep” foreshadows the ongoing mental and emotional turmoil Macbeth will face. The consequences of his actions will haunt him, becoming a central theme as the play progresses.
What is a quote that shows how Macbeth believes that the murder will leave a lasting effect on him?
‘Will all great Neptunes ocean wash this blood clean from my hand?’
What is analysis of this quote?
Hyperbole. He believes that the murder will leave a lasting effect on him and he will never be able to live as he was before the murder. He insinuates that he has enough blood on his hands to turn the sea red which could be linked to the fact that he will never be able to rid the guilt of murdering Duncan.
What is specific about cleaning the blood off of his hands and insinuating that the blood will be there forever?
He wants to wash the blood off of his hands as he believes as though they were his only witness.
