Macbeth Act 2 study guide

Scene 1 lines 16-18; Paraphrase these lines. What makes these remarks ironic? How does this help build suspense?

"We were unprepared for the party; we just threw it together." It is ironic because they had time to kill King Duncan.

Scene 1 lines 25-28; what inference can you make after reading these lines? What specific information supports your inference?

Banqou is suspicious of Macbeth OR Banquo is completely innocent of the plot to kill Duncan.

Scene 1 Lines 6-20; Read ahead to find the probable cause of Banquo's insomnia. What is it?

He tells Macbeth that he is having nightmares about the three witches

Scene 3 lines 1-2; What ironic statement does the porter make? What makes this statement ironic?

Imagines he is the gatekeeper of hell; dramatic irony- the king has been murdered within the gates

Scene 2 lines 24-38; What conflict arises in this passage that could develop into a major theme? How does Shakespeare use the exchange between Macbeth and his wife to develop this conflict?

Internal conflict, Macbeth can no longer pray; feels guilt.

Scene 3 lines 1-16; How does Shakespeare use the porter as comic relief? What do you notice about the printed lines and how they differ from the lines in the rest of the drama? What is the effect of this choice by the playwright?

Jokes about hell; lines in prose rather than blank verse; speech is less formal; less important

Scene 2 lines 15-19; Explain how Shakespeare creates tension in these lines. What specific examples support your answer?

Short, choppy, one-word dialogue, between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth

Scene 2 lines 39-41; What symbol is repeated here? What mental state might the inability to sleep reflect? How does this symbolism help the theme about guilt?

Sleep represents innocence; loss of sleep means loss of innocence, Macbeth feels guilt.

Scene 2 lines 56-72; Reread the dialogue between Macbeth and his wife in these lines. Which detail shapes and refines the theme about guilt? Does Lady Macbeth feel the same guilt as Macbeth? How do you know? Based on your response, form a preliminary statement of a theme about guilt.

The ocean can not remove his guilt; she says "A little water clears us of this deed; how easy is it then." Lady Macbeth feels no guilt. Remorse shows virtue.

Scene 3 lines 48-55; Which words set a foreboding mood in these lines?

Unruly, strange screams, prophecy, unnatural things

Scene 1 lines 32-42; How does Shakespeare use Macbeth's dialogue to develop the theme of fate vs. free will

floating dagger- fate; murder-free will