Summary of Act II. Act II- Scene 1

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Daniela Pierce
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1 Summary of Act II Act II- Scene 1 Learned that absence of light (moonless and starless night) established mood that something out of the ordinary is about to happen Learned that Banquo and his son Fleance referenced the absence of light, and Banquo appears uneasy or fearful and continue to walk around Inverness Learned that Banquo and Fleance encounter Macbeth during their security check Learned that casual conversation took place between Macbeth and Banquo Learned that Duncan has gone to bed feeling quite content and pleased with his newly named Thane of Cawdor Learned that Duncan gave an undisclosed amount of money for the maintenance of Inverness and a diamond to Lady Macbeth Learned that Banquo has dreamed of the witches (weird sisters) and Macbeth stated he hadn t thought of them Learned that Macbeth asked Banquo to meet with him later Learned that Banquo tells Macbeth of his allegiance to Duncan

2 Learned that Macbeth s message sent by the servant to Lady Macbeth contains a cryptic message- When she rings the bell, it s time to kill Duncan Learned that Macbeth hallucinated- believed he is carrying the murder weapon/dagger Learned that Macbeth is committed to the deed even though it is wrong Act II- Scene 2 Learned that Lady Macbeth has successfully completed her part in the assassination plan and stated she could have killed Duncan had he not resembled her father Learned that Lady Macbeth very anxiously awaits Macbeth s return to the chamber- she fears he will return without killing Duncan Learned that Macbeth is showing signs of paranoia and sounds especially trouble him Learned that Macbeth returned to the room and is plagued by sounds Learned that Macbeth brought the murder weapons from Duncan s chamber and refused to take them back Learned that Lady Macbeth smeared Duncan s blood on the guards and returned the weapons to each of the guards because she said the sleeping and the dead are the same

3 Learned that Lady Macbeth returned and taunted Macbeth because her hands are the same color as his- yet she is not afraid Learned that there is persistent knocking at the castle s door and Macbeth has become an unwilling participant in the process Learned of Lady Macbeth s dilemma to get Macbeth cleaned, clothes changed to night time sleeping apparel, and acting ignorant of Duncan s murder before the castle s door is opened or they will be guilty of murdering Duncan Learned that Macbeth expressed regret of having killed Duncan because he realized the consequences that await him Act II- Scene 3 Learned that the intoxicated Porter, gate-keeper at Inverness, imagined being the gate-keeper in Hell Learned that the Porter provided the comic relief in the tragedy (ills of drinking) Learned that Macduff and Lennox were the ones knocking because Duncan had appointed them to come and pick him up Learned that Macbeth appeared normal and unshaken by the murder of Duncan

4 Learned that Macbeth lead Macduff and Lennox to Duncan s chamber door and engaged in a casual conversation with Lennox while Macduff entered the king s room Learned that the weather served as an indication that the order in the universe had been altered--- strange screams, owl clamored the entire night, the earth was feverous and did shake all foreshadowed death of Duncan Learned that Macduff told Macbeth and Lennox of Duncan s murder Learned that the members of the house and royal entourage are called from their chambers Learned that Lady Macbeth displayed a look of innocence and ignorance of the murderous deed- Only look innocent Learned that Macbeth and Lennox entered the king s chamber to see the lifeless king s body and Macbeth killed the guards Learned that Macduff questioned Macbeth s impulsive behavior (murdering the guards before they could be questioned) Learned that Macbeth s alleged devotion to Duncan prompted him to murder the guards

5 Learned that Lady Macbeth fainted and she is carried away- Is it due to shock of Macbeth s news or is she trying to prevent him from telling too much? Learned that the nobleman leave the room to get dressed and will discuss the treasonous malice when everyone returned Learned that Malcolm and Donalbain do not plan to meet with the noblemen because they aren t sure who can be trusted among the noblemen- Know that one or more of the noblemen killed their father and their lives are in jeopardy Learned that Malcolm will go to England Learned that Donalbain will go to Ireland Act II- Scene 4 Learned from an old man (70 years old) that darkness still shrouded the earth- it was day time, but light will not shine on the horrible deed that has been done- murder of Duncan (Unnatural Occurrence) Learned that Ross engaged in conversation with old man because he respected his wisdom/opinion- wants his advice in understanding what has taken place Learned that Old Man talked about additional unnatural events: owl killed a falcon (lesser devouring the stronger/ Macbeth (weaker) devoured king (stronger); learned that

6 Duncan s horses turned against each other (had been raised as a team; however, they turned wild and ate one another (Macbeth turned against Duncan)- Ross corroborates the story-eyewitness of event Learned from Macduff that it is believed the guards killed Duncan because they were bribed Learned that Duncan s sons are suspected of bribing the guards because they left without telling anyone they were leaving- guilty due to their absence Learned that Macbeth has been named king since Malcolm has fled Learned that Macbeth will be installed as king at Scone Learned that ambition is cited as the reason for king s murder Learned that Duncan s body has been taken where Scottish kings are buried- Colmekill- Iona Island Learned that Macduff is not going to Macbeth s installation (Second time Macduff has failed to be a part of a major event in Macbeth s life- first time when he failed to spend the night at Inverness) Learned that Ross will be going to the installation Learned that Old Man offered a word of warning/caution in his benediction/prayer for everyone: God s blessing go with you, and those that would make good of bad, and

7 friends of foes In other words, don t try to make wrong right or your enemies your friends

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