Macbeth Act 2

What was Macbeth’s lie to Banquo about the witches’ predictions? He said he doesn’t even think about them.
What was the signal Lady Macbeth gave Macbeth to let him know that she has taken care of the guards? She would ring a bell.
What excuse did Lady Macbeth give for not killing Duncan herself? He looked like her father sleeping there.
After Macbeth killed Duncan, he went to Lady Macbeth and was concerned about not being able to say “Amen.” What was her advice to him? She told him not to think about it too much, or it would make them crazy. Notice that she does later, in fact, go mad and commit suicide.
Then, Macbeth is worried about hearing a voice saying, “Macbeth does murder sleep.” What did Lady Macbeth then tell him to do? She told him to go get some water and wash “this filthy witness” from his hands. In other words, get cleaned up and forget about it.
Why didn’t Macbeth take the daggers back to the scene of the crime? He couldn’t bear to look at Duncan again.
Who was knocking? Macduff and Lennox were knocking at the gate.
What three things does drinking provoke? It provokes “nose-painting, sleep, and urine.”
How did Lennox describe the night, and what was Macbeth’s response? Lennox went through a great description of the terrible night, saying it predicted terrible, confusing times ahead. Macbeth brushed it off by saying it was a “rough night.”
What did Macduff discover? Macduff discovered Duncan’s body.
Macduff says, “Oh, gentle lady, ‘Tis not for you to hear what I can speak. The repetition, in a woman’s ear, Would murder as it fell.” What is ironic about this? Lady Macbeth was determining force in the death of Duncan. She is no “lady.”
What excuse or explanation did Macbeth give for killing the guards? What was his real reason? He did it out of pain and rage, but he actually wanted to be rid of any possible witnesses to the murder.
Why did Malcolm and Donalbain leave? They feared that the king’s murderer will be after them, too.
Why did Ross not believe Malcolm and Donalbain were responsible for Duncan’s murder? He said it is against nature — both their personal natures and nature as the ruling force in the universe.
July 9, 2019