Macbeth Act 2

Macbeth Act 2

1. Scene 1

   • Fleance is used as a reminder to the audience of the witches' prophecies
   • 'Their candles are all out'- darkness symbolises the evil that Macbeth is about to do
   • In his soliloquy- macbeth talks about 'witchcraft', 'Hecate's offerings' and 'a ghost'. Links him to the witches and how he is affected by their prophecies. Visions of a dagger- leading him to commit murder/ warning him not to

2. Scene 2

   • Lady Macbeth waits for Macbeth to return from killing Duncan. Nervous- couldn't kill Duncan as he reminded her of her dad- suggests she isn't as merciless as she appears
   • Murder takes place offstage- increase suspense and make audience imagine the killing- more horrific.
   • Repeatition of a knocking sound- sense of urgency. Echo Macbeth's pounding heart- sign of fear and guilt

3. Scene 3

   • Porter's comic monologue relieves tention and builds suspense before body is found
   • Macbeth confesses to killing servants out of rage, when Lady Macbeth hears this she faints- distract characters from Macbeth's suspicious behaviour
   • Malcolm and Donalbain run away as they fear for their lives- look guilty and allow Macbeth to take throne

4. Scene 4

   • Bridge between Act 2 and 3 to create sense of fear and uncertainty
   • Strange events happen since King's death- natural order has been disrupted
   • Scene ends with Macduff telling Ross that Macbeth will be King- Macduff isnt going to the catoronion, suggests he is suspicious of Macbeth. Macduff= Macbeth's main enemy

5. Key

   • Supernatural