Act 2

Act 2

1. Act 2 Scene 1

   • Banquo and Fleance are talking just before they go to bed. Banquo is uneasy and cannot sleep. Macbeth enters and Banquo tells them that Duncan is happy being at Macbeth;'s castle. Macbeth and Banquo agree to discuss the prophecies at a later date. When he is left alone, Macbeth imagines a dagger which is leading him towards Duncan. Suddenly a bell rings which is a prearranged signal from Lady Macbeth that Duncan's servants are asleep and Macbeth can carry out the murder
     • "is this a dagger which I see before me?"
       • "the handle toward my hand"

2. Act 2 Scene 2

   • Lady Macbeth is waiting for Macbeth to murder Duncan and return to her. She is very tense. She admits that she was unable to kill Duncan. Macbeth returns and describes the sounds he heard. He imagined he heard people praying and warning that "Macbeth shall sleep no more." Macbeth has brought the daggers back with him. Lady Macbeth has to take them back to the sleeping guards. She returns and tells Macbeth that a little water will clear them of the deed
     • "a little water clears us of this deed."

3. Act 2 Scene 3

   • The castle is awakened from drunken sleep by the knocking at the castle gates. As he moves to the gate, he pretends to be the porter of the gate of he'll. Eventually he opens the gate to Macduff and Lennox, who have been asked by Duncan to awaken him earl. Macbeth enters, coming to investigate who has been knocking. Macduff goes to Duncan's chamber while Lennox describes the innatuural disturbances of the night. Macduff returns, announcing that Duncan has been murdered. Macbeth and Lennox go to view the murder. When they return Macbeth reveals he has killed the guards. On hearing this, Lady Macbeth faints. Malcolm and Donalbain leave the country.
     • "the right gas been unruly"
       • "most sacreligious murder hath broke ope"

4. Act 2 Scene 4

   • We learn of more unnatural events that happened on the night of Duncan's murder. This is the day following the murder and the sun had not risen. Macduff informs us that Malcolm and Donalbain have been accused of murdering their father. Duncan's body has been taken for burial and Macbeth has been named king. Macduff refuses to attend Macbeth' s coronation and returns home to Give, hinting that he fears the changes that are happening are not for the better.
     • "Malcolm and Donalbain, the Kings two sons at stolen away"