Macbeth Act 2 Scene 2 Flashcards

Lady Macbeth's Boldness

• Lady Macbeth feels emboldened by drinking, indicating a loss of inhibitions and a shift in her character's moral compass.

Personal Conflict

• She refrains from killing Duncan herself because he resembles her sleeping father, showcasing her internal struggle with the act of murder.

Tension Before the Murder

• Macbeth is disturbed while waiting to kill Duncan; the guards briefly wake and shout "murder!” then fall back asleep, heightening the tension of the moment.

Hallucinations of Guilt

• Macbeth believes he hears a voice proclaim, "sleep no more, Macbeth does murder sleep," reflecting his immediate guilt about the act he has committed.

Guilt and Consequences

• The voice heard by Macbeth symbolizes his guilty conscience, suggesting profound psychological torment post-murder.

Mistake Made by Macbeth

• Macbeth neglects to take the bloody daggers from the scene, a critical oversight that could lead to their discovery.

Lady Macbeth's Resourcefulness

• To remedy Macbeth's mistake, Lady Macbeth takes the daggers back to the guards, aiming to frame them for Duncan's murder and clear their own guilt.

Evidence of Guilt

• Macbeth is most disturbed by the sight of blood following the murder, representing an irreversible act of violence that haunts him.

Misconception of Guilt Relief

• Lady Macbeth believes that "a little water clears us of this deed," indicating a misguided belief that physical evidence can erase moral culpability.

Understatement of Guilt

• Her dismissal of the blood's significance contrasts with Macbeth's ongoing remorse, suggesting a deeper psychological burden for him that she underestimates.

Regret and Realization

• Macbeth's line "Wake Duncan with thy knocking. I would thou couldst," conveys his regret and desire to undo the murder, emphasizing his internal conflict and sorrow.