Macbeth - Act 2 summary

• Banquo


  Macbeth's friend
• Fleance


  Banquo's son
• Banquo and Fleance meet Macbeth

  1. Surprised Macbeth is still awake

  2. Banquo gives Macbeth a diamond from Duncan

  3. Banquo tells Macbeth he dreamed of the 'three weird sisters'

  4. Macbeth lies and says he has not thought about them
• Macbeth sees a vision of a bloody dagger


  Dismisses it as the 'bloody business' causing him to hallucinate
• Macbeth goes to kill Duncan


  1. Hears a bell

  2. Goes to kill Duncan
• Lady Macbeth


  • Waits for Macbeth to return from the murder
  • Reassures herself she drugged the guard's wine
  • Chastises Macbeth's cowardice
• Macbeth returns alarmed


  Couldn't say Amen and heard someone crying 'Sleep no more: Macbeth doth murder sleep'
• Lady Macbeth returns with bloody hands


  Urges Macbeth to wash and get into bed so they don't get caught
• Macduff


  Comes to meet with Duncan
• Lennox


  Comes to meet with Duncan
• Macbeth shows Macduff to Duncan's chambers


  1. Uncovers the horrible murder

  2. Sounds alarms which wake all the sleeping thanes and Lady Macbeth
• Lennox tells Duncan's sons their father has been murdered by his guards


  Macbeth explains he killed the guards out of 'fury'
• Lady Macbeth faints


  Lords swear to investigate the murder
• Malcolm decides to go to England


  Donalbain decides to go to Ireland
• Unnatural things happening


  • Horses have 'turned wild in nature' and begun to eat each other
  • It's dark in the day time
• Macduff believes the guards who murdered Duncan were bribed by Malcolm and Donalbain, which is why the two sons have fled the country
• Macbeth has been named king and he plans to go to Scone for his coronation
• Macduff heads home to Fife instead of going to Scone