Macbeth – Study Notes – Act II

1. Who accompanies Banquo at the opening of Act 2? What is his relation to Banquo?

Fleance is the one who accompanies Banquo. He is his son.

2. What is Macbeth’s hallucination prior to he murders Duncan? What does this imply?

Macbeth’s hallucination is a dagger which he wants to understand but naturally he can’t, and he realizes that he is seeing the dagger that he prepares to utilize in the murder, a dagger which beckons him toward King Duncan’s door, and a dagger upon which appear thick drops of blood.

He comprehends that “It is the bloody company which informs/ Therefore to mine eyes” (2.1.48-49), but he is not horrified. Rather, he wishes to be as fatal as that dagger.

3. What reason does Girl Macbeth offer for not committing the murder herself?

Duncan appears like a dad which is why Woman Macbeth does not desire to dedicate the murder herself.

4. Why do Duncan’s sons choose to leave Scotland?

They questioned something and by leaving Scotland, they’ll have a little additional safety, due to the fact that no one will have the ability to kill them both simultaneously.

5. In Scene 2, why could not Macbeth say “Amen” when a voice stated “God Bless Us”?

In Scene 2, Macbeth could not say “Amen” when a voice said “God Bless US” since it was part of his hallucinations.

6. The images of blood and water are interwoven in lines 55-68 of Scene 2. What does each suggest?

It is the blood on his hands that causes this horrible fascination, and he feels that the blood can never be washed away. Before his hands are clean, they will make all the seas of the world turn red. The water usually represents being free of something, wiping away the guilt, and bringing back innocence even though just metaphorically. By washing his hands with water Macbeth thought he would erase the guilt that was behind it.

7.How do the difficult attitudes of Macbeth and his wife to their bloodstained hands serve to point up the basic difference in their characters?

Both Macbeth and his wife want to clean their hands by using water, but Macbeth feels as if the blood will never go away because he is really feeling guilty for the crime he committed. While his wife, Lady Macbeth thinks that the water will clean the blood, and everything will be as before.

8.What is ironic about Macduff’s replying to Ross’ question, “Those that Macbeth hath slain” (Line 23)?

Macbeth told them already what went on, but they were still discussing it because apparently Macbeth didn’t convince them much. It is ironic because Macbeth was the one who killed both King Duncan and the grooms.