Act 3 Scene 2 Flashcards
overview of act III scene ii
lady macbeth is also uneasy ; macbeth assures her that he will take some action - but he refuses to tell her more
finish the quote: ‘doubtful…
…joy’
finish the quote: ‘restless…
…ectasy’
how does the couple feel about m’s position as king?
- both feel uneasy
- oxymorons - to show their mixed emotions
- they’ve got what they wanted but also feel guilty and uneasy
How does Lady Macbeth feel in this scene?
She feels uneasy and dissatisfied despite achieving their goal. She expresses doubt and insecurity about their future.
Finish the quote: ‘Naught’s had, all’s spent, where our desire is got…’
"’…without content.’”
‘Naught’s had, all’s spent, where our desire is got without content.’
- Lady Macbeth realizes that their ambition hasn’t brought happiness.
- Suggests regret over their actions.
- Highlights the theme of power vs. satisfaction.
Finish the quote: ‘Tis safer to be that which we destroy, than…’
"’…by destruction dwell in doubtful joy.’”
‘Tis safer to be that which we destroy, than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy.’
- Lady Macbeth suggests it is better to be dead than live in fear.
- Shows how paranoia has taken hold of them.
- Reflects her growing emotional instability.
Finish the quote: ‘We have scorched the snake, not…’
"’…killed it.’”
‘We have scorched the snake, not killed it.’
- Macbeth acknowledges that their problems are not over.
- The ‘snake’ symbolizes threats to his throne (Banquo, Fleance).
- Shows his determination to remove all threats.
Finish the quote: ‘Duncan is in his grave. After life’s fitful fever…’
"’…he sleeps well.’”
finish the quote: ‘malice domestic…
…foreign levy’
‘Duncan is in his grave. After life’s fitful fever, he sleeps well.’
- Macbeth envies Duncan’s peace in death.
- Ironically, he murdered Duncan but now sees death as an escape.
- Reinforces Macbeth’s growing despair.
- Duncan isn’t troubled by ‘malice domestic, foreign levy’
- Foreshadows Macduff’s uprising and English attack at the end of the play
Finish the quote: ‘O, full of scorpions…’
"’…is my mind
‘O, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife!’
- Macbeth expresses his restless and tormented state.
- ‘Scorpions’ symbolize his dark thoughts and paranoia.
- Shows his obsession with eliminating threats.
Finish the quote: ‘Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck…’
"’…till thou applaud the deed.’”
‘Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck, till thou applaud the deed.’
- Macbeth keeps Lady Macbeth in the dark about Banquo’s murder.
- Marks a shift—Macbeth is now taking control.
- Their relationship dynamic is changing.
finish the quote: ‘faces…
…vizards to our hearts’
What is the significance of Act 3, Scene 2?
- Shows Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s growing paranoia.
- Highlights the shift in power—Macbeth is becoming more independent and ruthless.
- Before, LM told him to ‘look like/ th’innocent flower’ - but now M tells her to flatter Banquo and make their ‘faces vizards to our hearts’
- Introduces his plan to kill Banquo, escalating the violence.
finish the quote: ‘What’s…
..to be done?
LM and Macbeth’s relationship
- change
- Macbeth hints that he plans to kill Banquo - but he refuses to confide in LM
- could be because he wants to protect LM from more guilt, or because he’s so driven by his own ambition that her opinion doesn’t matter
- Macbeth dominates the dialogue between them both - shift in power - LM asks Macbeth ‘What’s to be done?’
how is an unsettling tone created in this scene?
- animal imagery
- ‘full of scorpions in my mind’
- ‘the bat has flown’
- sets an unsettling tone
- these animals remind the audience of evil and emphasise Macbeth’s feelings of insecurity and paranoia
