Macbeth Act 2 Flashcards
“Is this a _____ which I see before me?”
Act 2 Scene 1
“Is this a dagger which I see before me?” - Rhetorical question, implies that his guilt has already taken over before he has done anything and is the start of his paranoia
“Wicked dreams abuse the ____ sleep”
Act 2 Scene 1
“Wicked dreams abuse the curtained sleep” - metaphor, his evil, murderous thoughts have broke through his 4 poster bed and made him unable to sleep.
Sleep is a repeated motif for innocence and an escape from the living world troubles and Macbeth is denied this escape, leading to more paranoia
“With ____ ravishing strides”
Act 2 Scene 1
“With Tarquin’s ravishing strides” - classical allusion to Tarquin who raped a woman in similar circumstances to Macbeth’s murder; they both get into the victims chamber at night and do extremely sinful acts.
It is clear to see that Macbeth knows what he is doing is wrong, but is too blinded by his ambition and lust for power to stop himself.
“It is a ____ / That summons thee to heaven or to ____”
Act 2 Scene 1
“It is a knell / That summons thee to heaven or to hell” - rhyming couplet, menacing and sounds like a prophecy of the witches.
Macbeth is casting doubt on if Duncan will go to heaven, doubting the Divine Right of Kings.
“I have done the ____”
Act 2 Scene 2
“I have done the deed” - euphemism, he can’t bring himself to say kill as he knows what he has done is wrong.
“The multitudinous seas ______”
Act 2 Scene 2
“The multitudinous seas incarnadine” - extended metaphor, nothing will cleanse Macbeth’s hands, not even all the water from “Neptune’s ocean[s]”. Highlights the guilt he feels and how he thinks it will permanently physically change him.
Could also suggest that God has punished Macbeth for disobeying the Divine Right of Kings.
The reference to Neptune, a Greek god may imply that Macbeth has strayed away from the Christian faith.
“The ___ of life is drawn”
Act 2 Scene 3
“The wine of life is drawn” - metaphor, Macbeth feels empty without Duncan, the enjoyement in his life has been taken away.
Dramatic irony as the audience knows Macbeth has just killed Duncan, he is manipulative and deceptive, Appearance vs Reality
