Act 2 Scene 4 Flashcards
overview of act II scene iv
ross and an old man discuss the unnatural events that occurred on the night of duncan’s murder
- they learn from macduff that the king’s two sons have fled and that macbeth has been chosen to be the next king
what is the purpose of the scene?
- a bridge between act 2 and 3
- its purpose is to create fear and uncertainty
what do the strange events that have happened since duncan’s death show?
- how natural order has been disrupted
- a country’s well-being is linked to that of its king, so these events are bad omens for macbeth’s reign
what strange events do ross and the old man discuss?
they talk about unnatural omens:
- darkness during the day
- an owl killing a falcon
- duncan’s horses eating each other.
finish the quote: ‘by th’ clock ’tis day, and yet…’
…dark night strangles the travelling lamp.
what does the unnatural darkness symbolize?
- reflects the disturbance in nature caused by duncan’s murder.
- symbolizes scotland falling into chaos under macbeth.
- the evil that has come over scotland
finish the quote: ‘a falcon towering in her pride of place was by a…’
…mousing owl hawked at and killed.
what does the owl killing the falcon symbolize?
- the owl (a weaker predator) kills the falcon (a powerful bird).
- mirrors macbeth (a lesser noble) killing duncan (a rightful king).
- highlights the theme of unnatural disorder.
- the natural order of things have become subverted - small owls are now killing falcons
- suggests macbeth’s behaviour has become so unnatural that it has caused the natural world to fall apart and the natural order of things to go wrong, disturbing the ‘Great Chain of Being’
- just like kings should never be killed by their subjects, powerful falcons shouldn’t be killed by weak owls
- hierarchy was vital to a country’s stability - the Divine Right of Kings - the belief that kings were god’s voice on earth - meant that hierarchy should be challenged
finish the quote: ‘duncan’s horses…’
…turned wild in nature, broke their stalls, flung out, contending ‘gainst obedience.
what does the strange behavior of duncan’s horses symbolize?
- a metaphor for rebellion against rightful authority.
- reinforces the theme of nature reflecting moral corruption
- horses have been eating each other - which is unnatural
finish the quote: ‘‘tis unnatural, even like…’
…the deed that’s done.
what does the old man mean by ‘‘tis unnatural, even like the deed that’s done’?
- acknowledges duncan’s murder as a crime against nature.
- suggests the disruption of the great chain of being.
finish the quote: ‘malcolm and donalbain, the king’s two sons, are stol’n away and fled, which puts upon them…’
…suspicion of the deed.
why does malcolm and donalbain’s escape make them look guilty?
their sudden flight makes people suspect they were involved in duncan’s murder, even though they were actually trying to protect themselves.
finish the quote: ‘he is already named and gone to Scone to…
…be invested’
‘he is already named and gone to Scone to be invested’
- macbeth has already been named king
- the speed of his coronation suggests ambition and manipulation
- shows how easily he takes power after duncan’s death
finish the quote: ‘lest our old robes sit easier…
…than our new’
‘lest our old robes sit easier than our new’
- macduff expresses doubt about macbeth as king
- uses clothing imagery to suggest scotand may not be better off under new leadership
- foreshadows unrest and rebellion
what does this scene end with?
- macduff telling ross that macbeth will be king
- macduff isn’t going to the coronation - suggests he is suspicious of macbeth and sets him up as macbeth’s main enemy
why is this scene significant?
- shows nature reacting to duncan’s murder
- reinforces the idea that macbeth’s rise is unnatural
- introduces doubt about macbeth’s rule through macduff’s suspicions
- sets up further conflict as macbeth takes the throne
