Act 3 Scene 2

Act 3 Scene 2

1. Change in the relationship between Lady Macbeth and Macbeth

   • She is troubled- advises Macbeth not to brood on what's done.
   • 'my lord, why do you keep alone'
     • they are physically part- distance has grown between them
     • 'dear wife'/'love'/'dearest chuck'
       • But we see a close/kind relationship as well
         • She offers support advice
           • 'what's done is done'
         • But unlike before Macbeth is not as honest
           • 'Be innocent of the knowlege'
             • Not telling her everything- gap growing between the two of them
               • DARKNESS IMAGERY
                 • 'Light thickens'
                   • darkness is dense- suffocating
                   • 'Come seeling night'
                     • Blinding, almost summoning/ inviting darkness and evil
                       • Like Lady Macbeth
                     • 'seeling' 'scarf'
                       • References to falconry- where the falconer would temporarily blind the hawk so that it would remain fully dependant until it was fully trained
                       • blinding- secretive/deceptive nature
                 • 'crow makes wing'
                   • Crow is Banquo
                   • Repetition in animal imagery for sinister and dramatic effect
       • superlative

2. Lady Macbeth is troubled/unhappy

   • Same position as Macbeth
   • 'Nought's had, all's spent'
     • Nothing gained, everything lost through killing Duncan
     • Monosyllabic- simple - simplicity- lack of joy

3. Macbeth's fear

   • 'We have scorched the snake, not killed it'
     • Repeated reference to snakes- reflects their evil actions
     • There are still more consequences to deal with
   • 'Ere we will eat our meal in fear'
     • paranoia, unsafety
   • Envies the peace of death that Duncan enjoys
     • 'After life's fitful fever, he sleeps well'
       • adjective 'fitful'
         • troubled, illness image - his view on life
       • USES LISTS
         • Lists murder weapons- how Duncan is no longer in danger of these- highlights the extent to which he fears his own muderer
         • 'nor steel nor poison, malice domestic, foreign levy'
           • contrast between 'domestic' and 'foreign' - there is everywhere- Macbeth's paranoia
       • repeated SLEEP IMAGERY
         • Macbeth is deprived of it
   • Macbeth is troubled
     • 'O full of scorpions is my mind'
       • his mind is in turmoil
       • imagery of the mind and poison
       • cry of emotion
     • nocturnal animals
       • 'bat hath flown'
         • reference to the supernatural
           • black Hecate's summons
           • THEME OF SECRECY
             • 'cloistered flight'