Macbeth Act 2 Scene 2 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What does Lady Macbeth mean by 'that witch hath made them drink hath made me bold'?

She feels bolder because she wasn't drinking.

She was drinking too and now she feels bold. (correct)

She believes that courage comes from drinking.

She is afraid of what she has done.

Why does Lady Macbeth say she can't murder Duncan herself?

She said he looks like her dad when he was sleeping.

What happened to spook Macbeth while he waited to kill Duncan?

The guards woke up, yelled 'murder!' and went back to sleep.

What does Macbeth then think he hears?

He thinks he hears a voice say 'sleep no more, Macbeth does murder sleep'. Signup and view all the answers

Why do you think he 'hears'?

He probably 'hears' that because of his guilty conscience. Signup and view all the answers

What mistake does Macbeth make?

He leaves the bloody daggers in the room. Signup and view all the answers

How does Lady Macbeth fix this?

She puts them back with Duncan's guards. Signup and view all the answers

What evidence from the murder upsets Macbeth the most?

The blood everywhere. Signup and view all the answers

Lady says, 'a little water clears us of this deed, how easy is it then'. Is this true?

False Signup and view all the answers

How does the statement about water seem to be an understatement?

His guilt continues to haunt Macbeth. Signup and view all the answers

What line reveals that Macbeth is now regretting what they have done?

'Wake Duncan with thy knocking. I would thou couldst.' Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

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.

Description

Test your knowledge of Act 2 Scene 2 from Shakespeare's Macbeth with these flashcards. Explore key quotes and character motivations, particularly focusing on Lady Macbeth's influence and Macbeth's inner turmoil. Perfect for students studying Shakespearean literature.