Sh Act 2

Question 1

Is this a dagger which I see before me?

• Macbeth

Answer 1

constant rhetorical questioning showcases his doubt-riddled mind and paranoia

dagger represents murder, evil and brutality

manifestation of what Macbeth will do

mirrors actual murder weapon

Question 2

gouts of blood

• Macbeth

Answer 2

symbolises Duncan’s impending murder

motif

manifestation of guilt he already feels

Question 3

I go and it is done

• Macbeth

Answer 3

shortness of the statement
- signifies abruptness and simplicity of death

something so quick will change his life

Question 4

The bell invites me… it is a knell / that summons thee to heaven or to hell

• Macbeth

Answer 4

blame other elements for his actions

doesn’t want to be in control and is under the pretence he is passive in the events

signifies commencing
of king’s death

Question 5

Thou marshalls’t me the way that I was going

• Macbeth

Answer 5

death itself is guiding him, spurring him on

distancing himself from the crime

Question 6

Macbeth does murder sleep: the innocent sleep

• Macbeth

Answer 6

sleep symbolises peace and rest

insinuates M has killed his own peace and will forever be in a state of guilt and turmoil

his sinful and brutal actions result in his own consequences

Question 7

they has seen me with these hangman’s hands. / List’nign their fear, I could not say ‘Amen’

• Macbeth

Answer 7

alliteration shows magnitude of regret he feels

cannot withstand the distress and misery the treason has brought on his poisoned conscience

he is forever damned

Question 8

Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood / Clean from my hand?

• Macbeth

Answer 8

blood symbolises guilt

inner self-condemnation
- means he will never be cleansed, not even by a god

juxtaposition of guilt vs purity

shows extent of his actions and remorse

Question 9

the multitudinous seas incarnadine

-Macbeth

Answer 9

hyperbolic language- the depth of his regret and desperation

consequences of his actions cannot be easily hidden

forever be a changed man

Question 10

a little water clears us of this deed

• Lady Macbeth

Answer 10

ironic - juxtaposes her madness later on

lack of care
doesn’t feel magnitude of guilt M feels

contrasts “Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood”

Question 11

t’is the eye of childhood / That fears a painted devil

• Lady Macbeth

Answer 11

stinging rebuke to Macbeth to belittle him into not being scared

Question 12

the earth was feverous and did shake

the night has been unruly

• Lennox

Answer 12

world lost balance due to treachery Macbeth committed

disrupted the Great Chain of Being and went against the divine right of king
- nature is retaliating

Question 13

O horror, horror, horror

Most sacrilegious murder hath broke up/ The Lord’s annointed temple and stole thence/ The life o’th’building

• Macduff

Answer 13

very loyal to Duncan

dramatic reaction to his death

king believed to be God’s representative(metaphor)
- divine right of king

raw, honest grief

Question 14

Ring the alarum bell! Murder and treason

• Macduff

Answer 14

foreshadows Macduff will gather armies to vanquish Macbeth

Question 15

Had I but died and hour before this chance / I had lived a blessed time

from this instant / there’s nothing serious in mortality

• Macbeth

Answer 15

expression of grief is so extreme and exaggerated that it comes of as insincere

Question 16

There’s daggers in men’s smiles

• Donaldbain

Answer 16

suspicious of people he used to surround himself with

theme of betrayal

metaphor

Question 17

I do repent me of my fury / That I did kill them

• Macbeth

Answer 17

covering his tracks

killed the soldiers that he blamed the murder on

Question 18

Wherefore did you so?

• Macduff

Answer 18

suspicious of Macbeth’s shocking revelation of killing the ‘murderers’