Macbeth Act 2 Flashcards
Why does Banquo feel uneasy and is reluctant to sleep?
Banquo is uneasy and reluctant to sleep because he fears he will dream about the three witches; he is feeling unsettled about their prophecies to him and Macbeth.
Macbeth has a hallucination of a floating, bloody dagger. What does this reveal about him?
Macbeth’s hallucination of the floating, bloody dagger indicates that he is not in his right mind. Some power outside of himself is making him commit the murder. He already feels guilty about it.
Why didn’t Lady Macbeth kill Duncan herself once the guards had passed out? ( /1)
Lady Macbeth said she would have killed Duncan herself had he not resembled her father as he slept.
Macbeth kept hearing a voice repeat the same thing over and over after he murdered Duncan. What did it say?
Immediately after Macbeth murdered Duncan, he kept hearing a voice say: “Macbeth shall sleep no more”.
Why does Macbeth refuse to bring the bloody daggers back to the murder scene?
Macbeth refuses to bring the daggers back to the crime scene because he cannot bare to look at what he has done; he feels too guilty.
What does Lady Macbeth suggest they do in order to rid themselves of the guilt Macbeth is already feeling?
In order to rid himself of the guilt he is feeling, Lady Macbeth suggests they just wash all the blood from their hands and remove their bloody clothes.
What is significant about the porter pretending to be the gatekeeper of hell?
This is significant because the castle HAS become hell due to the horrific crime just committed.
According to the porter, alcohol provokes many things. What are three of them?
Turns a person’s nose red Makes you pee a lot Makes you in the mood for sex Makes it difficult for a man to perform during sex Makes you fall down Makes you throw up
Lennox describes a series of abnormal upheavals of nature. What are three of them?
Chimneys were blown down by strong winds
Moaning and screaming about death were heard
Voices predicting worse things to come were heard
Owls were hooting all night long
There were earth tremors
Why is it ironic when Lennox says to Lady Macbeth: “O, gentle lady, / ‘Tis not for you to hear what I can speak”?
It is ironic because there is nothing fragile or gentle about Lady Macbeth; she is the one “responsible” for the murder of the king.
What is significant about when Macbeth says: “Had I but died an hour before this chance”
Macbeth means that he wishes he could go back in time and NOT kill the king; he would rather be dead than face what he has done.
What does Malcolm mean when he says: “To show an unfelt sorrow is an office / Which the false man does easy”?
Malcolm means that a dishonest man can very easily fake sadness; therefore, someone who is mourning the loss of the king is his actual murderer.
14) What do Malcolm and Donalbain decide to do?
They decide to separate and run away to improve their chances of not being killed next.
Malcolm goes to England and Donalbain goes to Ireland.
15) Explain the following passage: “Is’t night’s predominance, or the day’s shame, / That darkness does the face of earth entomb,/ When living light should kiss it?” ( /4)
Even though it is daytime it is so dark out it looks as if it is nighttime.
The natural world is off balance because of the evil committed.
Darkness and evil go hand in hand.
The sun does not want to come out and see the evil.
What is significant when Macduff says: “Lest our old robes sit easier than our new” ? What motif is being referred to?
He is hoping that things return to normal soon because as things stand now, they are nowhere near as good as they used to be. It is also a reference to the clothing motif.
