Macbeth Act 2 Flashcards
What is the signal Lady Macbeth is to give Macbeth to let him know that she has taken care of the guards (grooms)?
She will ring a bell.
What excuse does Lady Macbeth give for not killing Duncan herself?
He looked like her father sleeping there.
After Macbeth kills Duncan, he goes to Lady Macbeth and is concerned about not being able to say “Amen.” What is her advice to him?
She tells him not to think about it so much, or it will make them crazy. (Notice that she does later, in fact, go mad and commit suicide.)
Then, Macbeth is worried about hearing a voice saying, “Macbeth does murder sleep.” What does Lady Macbeth then tell him to do?
She tells him to go get some water and wash “this filthy witness” from his hands. In other words, get cleaned up and forget about it.
Why won’t Macbeth take the daggers back to the scene of the crime?
He can’t bear to look at Duncan again.
Who was knocking?
Macduff and Lennox were knocking at the gate.
What three things does drinking provoke?
It provokes “nose-painting, sleep, and urine.”
How does Lennox describe the night, and what is Macbeth’s response?
Lennox goes through a great description of the terrible night, saying it predicted terrible, confusing times ahead. Macbeth brushes it off by saying it was a “rough night.”
What did Macduff discover?
Macduff discovered Duncan’s body.
Macduff says, “Oh, gentle lady, ‘Tis not for you to hear what I can speak. The repetition, in a woman’s ear, Would murder as it fell.” What is ironic about this?
Lady Macbeth was a determining force in the death of Duncan. She is no “lady.”
What excuse or explanation did Macbeth give for killing the guards (grooms)? What is his real reason?
He did it out of pain and rage, but he actually wanted to be rid of any possible witnesses to the murder.
Why do Malcolm and Donalbain leave?
They fear that the king’s murderer will be after them, too.
Why does Ross not believe Malcolm and Donalbain were responsible for Duncan’s murder?
He says it is against nature – both their personal natures and nature as the ruling force in the universe.
What are Banquo’s concerns about the Witches’ prophecy? What is Macbeth’s response?
He has had bad dreams about the Witches and part of what they said has come true. Macbeth says he has not thought about them. Banquo would like to discuss the matter with Macbeth.
What does Macbeth see when Banquo and Fleance leave and what does he say about it?
He sees a bloody dagger floating before him. He says that it is only a dream.
