Macbeth Discussion Questions – Act II.

Instructions: Answer the following questions for each scene. Include specific quotations and references (Act, Scene, Lines) wherever possible to support your opinions. Be prepared to discuss the questions in class and add to your own written answers.

Act II, sc. i.Inverness. Macbeth’s Castle

25.What evidence is there in the text that a) Banquo has been tempted by the prophecy made to him? b) that he is trying to resist the temptation?

26.What is the dramatic significance of the dagger soliloquy? (i.e. How does it create atmosphere, advance the plot, and reveal character?)

Act II, sc. ii.

27.How does Lady Macbeth save the situation in this scene?

28.Illustrate the use of a) irony, b) dramatic irony, c) suspense, d) effective timing, e) contrast, f) surprise as found in this scene? (The same example may illustrate more than one device.)

29. What evidence is there in this scene of Shakespeare’s profound understanding of human nature?

30. What is the chief importance of this scene? What does it reveal about Macbeth and Lady Macbeth?

31. Describe the contrast between Lady Macbeth’s lines “Go get some water, / And wash this filthy witness from your hand” (2.2.46-47) and, once she returns from the king’s bedroom, “A little water clears us of this deed” (2.2.67) versus Macbeth’s lines “Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood / Clean from my hand? No; this my hand will rather / The multitudinous seas incarnadine, / Making the green one red” (2.2.60-63).

Act II, sc. iii.

32. How does the porter scene serve as comic relief? Why is this necessary? Practically, what does this scene allow Lady Macbeth and Macbeth to do?

33. Give reasons for thinking that Lady Macbeth’s fainting spell was a) genuine, b) feigned. c) What effect would each have on our opinion of her?

34. Of what importance is the intended flight of the King’s sons?

35. As the scene ends, how close is Macbeth to the fulfillment of the third prophecy made to him by the witches?

Act II, sc. iv.

36.Pathetic fallacy is when aspects of the natural world reflect events or moods in the play. What details are used to bring out the deviant aspects of the murder in this scene?

37.How successful has Macbeth been in the achievement of his ambition? What factors have contributed to his success?

38. What contrast between Macduff and Ross is presented in this scene?

38. Show that this scene provides information about Macbeth, Macduff, Duncan, Malcolm and Donaldbain, and Ross.