Act II Macbeth

Question 1

What does this quote mean, “It was the owl that shrieked, the fatal bellman,/Which gives the stern’s good-night.”

Answer 1

LMB was startled by reality. The owl is the fatal bellman

Question 2

Why is MB compared to an owl

Answer 2

An owl is a predator and a predator kills its prey, in which he killed KD

Question 3

We see the 1st crack in LMB’s armor. What is it?

Answer 3

When she hears a cry from KD’s room and concerns that MB has not killed KD.

Question 4

“Had he not resembled/My father as he slept, I had done ‘t” What’s the irony?

Answer 4

That yet, she could go chop him up at the end of the scene to make the guards look bloody

Question 5

Why couldn’t MB not say Amen?

Answer 5

This shows us how far MB has moved from God/religion to evil/darkness

Question 6

What is this theme? “Sleep no more!/MB does murder sleep!” –“the innocent sleep”

Answer 6

Theme of sleeplessness

Question 7

What does this quote mean? “Go get some water.”

Answer 7

LMB thinks a little water would remedy his sick brain. MB is falling apart; LMB is being practical

Question 8

Explain, “Infirm of purpose! Give me the daggers. The sleeping and the dead/Are but as pictures. ‘Tis the eye of childhood/That fears a painted devil. What is KD painted with?

Answer 8

LMB says she will take the daggers back. KD is painted with his own blood and betrayal.

Question 9

MB is separated from God in these 3 degrees:

Answer 9

1. He asked for darkness (evil) now he has it
2. Light of heaven is denied him
3. He is unable to pray

Question 10

Explain, “Wake Duncan with thy knocking! I would thou couldst!”

Answer 10

MB shows remorse for killing KD

Question 11

Name these 3 men which symbolize a flaw in MB’s character

Answer 11

1. Farmer - greed - MB wants kingship
2. Equivocator - con man - double talk - topsy turvy - fair is foul
3. English Tailor - got rich from stealing - MB plans to get rich from stealing the crown

Question 12

Lennox talks to MB and tells of ___ ____ storms, howlings, earthquakes - all seeming to prophesy some terrible event. Shakespeare intensifies the drama by using natural phenomena_____

Answer 12

unnatural events
Elizabethans views regicide (the act of killing a king) as a horrible crime against nature. q

Question 13

Malcolm and Donalbain flee for 2 reasons:

Answer 13

1. The murder may come after them next
2. People may think they did ti to inherit the throne

Question 14

What countries do Malcolm and Donalbain flee to

Answer 14

Malcolm goes to England
Donalbain goes to Ireland

Question 15

Act II Scene iv: The first half of the scene summarizes nature’s upheaval that was previously mentioned by Lennox.

Answer 15

In past ages, it was believed that chaos in the social and political orders of life was reflected in the natural and cosmic orders

Question 16

The Old Man is a representative of what

Answer 16

The people of Scotland

Question 17

Name 2 more unnatural events

Answer 17

1. A falcon (Duncan) was killed big an owl (MB)
2. KD’s horses ate one another (one kinsman killed another)

Question 18

Where does Macduff going in Act II Scene iv

Answer 18

Going home to Fife

Question 19

Where does Ross going in Act II Scene iv

Answer 19

Scone

Question 20

Figurative language? “Lest our old robes sit easier than our new!”

Answer 20

Clothing Imagery