ACT 2 SCENES 1-2

• What must you understand about Act 2 of Macbeth?


  You must understand what happens in the first half of Act 2.
• What occurs in Act 2, Scene 1 of Macbeth?


  • Macbeth meets Banquo and Fleance.
  • Banquo mentions a dream about the witches.
  • Macbeth offers ambiguous power to Banquo.
  • Macbeth has a vision of a dagger.
  • He feels nervous but continues towards Duncan's chamber.
• Who does Macbeth meet on his way to kill the King?


  Macbeth meets Banquo and his son, Fleance.
• What does Banquo say he has experienced before meeting Macbeth?


  Banquo says he has had a dream about the witches.
• How does Macbeth respond to Banquo's mention of the witches?


  Macbeth claims that he doesn't think about them.
• What does Macbeth's ambiguous offer to Banquo suggest?


  It suggests Macbeth's desire for power and manipulation.
• How does Banquo react to Macbeth's offer of power?


  Banquo is non-committal.
• What vision does Macbeth have after Banquo leaves?


  Macbeth has a vision of a dagger.
• What does Macbeth think about as he sees the dagger?


  He thinks about the evil he is about to commit.
• How does Macbeth feel as he approaches King Duncan's chamber?


  Macbeth feels nervous.
• What happens in Act 2, Scene 2 of Macbeth?


  • Lady Macbeth has drugged the guards.
  • She waits nervously for Macbeth.
  • She prepared daggers for Macbeth.
  • Macbeth appears disturbed and regrets the murder.
  • He hears the King's sons praying.
  • Macbeth cannot say 'Amen' and feels damned.
  • Lady Macbeth tells him not to dwell on it.
  • She orders him to plant the daggers on the guards.
  • Macbeth panics and cannot go back.
  • Lady Macbeth mocks his fears and insists they leave.
• What has Lady Macbeth done to the guards?


  Lady Macbeth has drugged the guards.
• What does Lady Macbeth worry about while waiting for Macbeth?


  She worries that something has stopped the murder from taking place.
• What does Lady Macbeth say she would have done if Duncan had not looked like her father?


  She says she would have murdered the King herself.
• How does Macbeth feel when he first appears in Scene 2?


  He seems disturbed and focused on a noise he thinks he's heard.
• What does Macbeth regret after committing the murder?


  He regrets the murder already.
• What does Macbeth hear that troubles him after the murder?


  He hears the King's sons half-waking and saying their prayers.
• What does Macbeth say about saying 'Amen'?


  He is troubled that he could not say 'Amen' in response to Malcolm and Donalbain's prayer.
• What does the voice Macbeth hears signify?


  It signifies that he feels he is damned and will never be able to rest again.
• How does Lady Macbeth react to Macbeth's state of mind?


  She is worried about his state of mind and tells him not to dwell on what they've done.
• What does Lady Macbeth order Macbeth to do with the daggers?


  She orders him to plant the daggers on the guards.
• How does Macbeth respond to Lady Macbeth's orders?


  He begins to panic and says he cannot go back.
• What does Lady Macbeth do when Macbeth cannot go back?


  She goes to plant the daggers on the guards herself.
• What does Macbeth imagine while Lady Macbeth is gone?


  He imagines that the blood will never come off his hands.
• How does Lady Macbeth react when she returns?


  She mocks Macbeth's fears.
• What does Lady Macbeth insist they do after the murder?


  She insists they leave the scene in case they are spotted.
• What are some key quotations from Macbeth in Act 2?


  • Macbeth: '... art thou but / A dagger of the mind ...' (Ili)
  • Lady Macbeth: 'These deeds must not be thought / After these ways: so, it will make us mad.' (Ilii)
  • Lady Macbeth: 'My hands are of your colour; but I shame / To wear a heart so white.' (Ilii)
• What is the summary of Act 2 of Macbeth?


  • Macbeth is disturbed by the idea of killing the King.
  • He is full of fear and panic after committing the murder.
  • He thinks he will never be able to rest or pray again.
  • Lady Macbeth is more controlled and tries to calm him down.