Act II

Shakespeare is heavily influenced by mythology is his various works, including Macbeth. Identify the following three names from Roman mythology and history: 1.Hecate 2.Sextus Tarquinis 3.Neptune

Act II 1.Hecate – goddess of sorcery and witchcraft; closely associated with the Greek goddess Artemis. 2.Sextus Tarquinis – Roman prince who captured and raped a woman; his actions led to a rebellion and the beginning of the Republic of Rome. 3.Neptune – Roman god of the sea.

Act II – Scene i In Act II, Scene i, read the conversation between Macbeth and Banquo. Make the connection to the earlier plot development in Act I, Scene iii. Macbeth told Banquo to think about what the witches have told them so that they can discuss it later. Question – How does the conversation between these characters help to define the quality of their characters?

Act II – Scene i 1.In a conversation with Banquo, Macbeth acknowledges the fact that the witches’ predictions have started to come true, but now is not the time to talk about it: “I think not of them/Yet, when we can entreat an hour to serve, we would spend it in some words upon that business/if you would grant the time” (lines 22-25).

Act II – Scene i 2. Banquo assures Macbeth that he would support Macbeth if the witches prediction of him becoming king were to come true; however, Banquo warns Macbeth that he will also remain loyal to Duncan: “So I lose none/in seeking to augment it, but still keep/my bosom franchised and allegiance clear/I shall remain counseled” (lines 27-30).

Act II – Scene i What is the significance of the symbol? Act II, Scene i features a soliloquy from Macbeth. Identify the symbol, and analyze how this symbol contributes to a developing thematic message in this text. Include the following: A)A thesis sentence B)A quote from the soliloquy that features context C)An explanation of how this quote reveals a significant message that extends beyond the text

Act II – Scene i What is the significance of the dagger? “Mine eyes are made the fool of the other senses.” “Nature seems dead, and wicked dreams abuse the curtained sleep.” “Witchcraft celebrates Pale Hecate’s off’rings, and withered murder…moves like a ghost.” The dagger represents all of the influences and aspirations controlling Macbeth’s thoughts and actions at this point in the story.

Act II – Scene ii Guided Reading Act II, Scene ii takes place after Duncan’s murder. As you read through the scene, decide which character possesses more guilt: Macbeth or Lady Macbeth. Pick 2 moments of dialogue from each character that clearly reveal their mindset, as well as their ambitions moving forward.

Act II – Scene ii Guided Reading Macbeth – mainly characterized by his feelings of guilt and regret: “I’ll go no more. I am afraid to think what I have done” (54-55) “Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood clean from my hand?” (60-61) Lady Macbeth – far more callous and assured than her husband; however she also shows evidence of panic: “A little water cleans us of the deed” (70) “My hands are of the same color, but I shame to wear a heart so white” (67-68) “Hark! I laid their daggers ready; he could not miss ‘em” (11-12)

Act II – Scene ii 1.Macbeth’s inner peace has been “killed” by his act of murder: “Sleep no more! Macbeth does murder sleep…Glamis hat murdered sleep, and therefore Cawdor shall sleep no more” (Macbeth, Act II, Scene ii, lines 38-45).

Act II – Scene ii 2. Lady Macbeth scolds Macbeth for not carefully executing the plan to murder Duncan: “Infirm of purpose/Give me the daggers/The sleeping and the dead/are but as pictures.” (Macbeth, Act II, Scene ii, lines ).

Act II – Scene ii 3. Macbeth feels a terrible sense of guilt that he cannot escape, and he feels that no act or substance will remove this guilt: “Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood/Clean from my hand?” (Macbeth, Act II, Scene ii, lines 73-74).

Act II – Scene ii 4. Lady Macbeth reminds her husband to change his clothes so as to not arouse suspicion: “Get on your nightgown, lest occasion call us/and show us to be watchers” (Macbeth, Act II, Scene ii, lines 84-85).

Act II – Scene iii 1.) Macduff, The thane of Fife, and Lennox speak with a rude porter. Macbeth meets them as they enter and discusses the unruly night before. Lennox: "The obscure bird / Clamour'd the livelong night. Some say the earth / Was feverous and did shake" (Macbeth, Act II, Scene ii, lines 60-62)

Act II – Scene iii 2.) Macduff immediately senses something is wrong and discovers the king is dead. He raises the alarm and the lords gather to discuss the grisly sight. The guards are quickly blamed for the murder, with Macbeth revealing that he killed them in a blind fury. Macduff: "O horror, horror, horror! Tongue nor heart / Cannot conceive nor name thee" (Macbeth, Act II, Scene iii, line 67) Macbeth: "Who could refrain / That had a heart to love, and in that heart / Courage to make's love known" (Macbeth, Act II, Scene iii, lines )

Act II – Scene iii 3.) Fearing for their lives, Donalbain and Malcom leave the castle. Donalbain goes to Ireland while Malcom goes to England. Malcolm: "Let's not consort with them. / To show and unfelt sorrow is an office / Which the false man does easy. I'll go to England " (Macbeth, Act II, Scene iii, line ) Donalbain: "To Ireland, I; our separated fortune / Shall keep us both safer" (Macbeth, Act II, Scene iii, lines )

Act II – Scene iv 1.) Ross talks with an old man about the strange occurrences from the night of the murder. Ross: "And Ducan's horses...Turn'd wild in nature, broke their stalls, flung out, / Contending 'gainst obedience, as they would make / War with mankind" (Macbeth, Act II, Scene iv, lines 18-20)

Act II – Scene iv 2.) Macduff arrives and informs Ross that suspicious of Malcolm and Donalbain since they fled the scene. In their absence, Macbeth is crowned king of Scotland. Ross: "'Gainst nature still! / Thriftless ambition, that wilt ravin up /Thine own life's means" (Macbeth, Act II, Scene iv, lines 35-36). Macduff: "Well, may you see things well done there. Adieu, / Lest our old robes sit easier than our new" (Macbeth, Act II, Scene iv, lines 48-49).