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Questions and Answers
What does Banquo mention to Fleance regarding the time of night?
What does Banquo mention to Fleance regarding the time of night?
How does Macbeth respond when Banquo mentions the unusual pleasure of the king?
How does Macbeth respond when Banquo mentions the unusual pleasure of the king?
What does Banquo dream about the previous night that he mentions to Macbeth?
What does Banquo dream about the previous night that he mentions to Macbeth?
What internal conflict does Macbeth experience regarding the dagger he sees?
What internal conflict does Macbeth experience regarding the dagger he sees?
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What heavy summoning does Banquo mention that burdens him?
What heavy summoning does Banquo mention that burdens him?
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What does Macbeth instruct his servant to do in the scene?
What does Macbeth instruct his servant to do in the scene?
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What does Macbeth mean when he says, 'There is no such thing' regarding the vision he sees?
What does Macbeth mean when he says, 'There is no such thing' regarding the vision he sees?
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What does Macbeth mean when he says, 'Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood clean from my hand?'
What does Macbeth mean when he says, 'Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood clean from my hand?'
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Why does Lady Macbeth instruct Macbeth to wash his hands and return the daggers?
Why does Lady Macbeth instruct Macbeth to wash his hands and return the daggers?
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What does Macbeth mean by 'Methought I heard a voice cry 'Sleep no more! Macbeth does murder sleep'?
What does Macbeth mean by 'Methought I heard a voice cry 'Sleep no more! Macbeth does murder sleep'?
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What does Lady Macbeth mean when she says, 'These deeds must not be thought after these ways; so, it will make us mad'?
What does Lady Macbeth mean when she says, 'These deeds must not be thought after these ways; so, it will make us mad'?
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Why does Macbeth struggle to say 'Amen' when he hears the guards pray?
Why does Macbeth struggle to say 'Amen' when he hears the guards pray?
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What is the significance of the bell ringing at the end of Macbeth's soliloquy?
What is the significance of the bell ringing at the end of Macbeth's soliloquy?
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What does Lady Macbeth mean by 'It was the owl that shriek'd, the fatal bellman'?
What does Lady Macbeth mean by 'It was the owl that shriek'd, the fatal bellman'?
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What does the Porter imply by saying, 'If a man were porter of hell-gate, he should have old turning the key'?
What does the Porter imply by saying, 'If a man were porter of hell-gate, he should have old turning the key'?
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How does Macbeth describe his hands after committing the murder?
How does Macbeth describe his hands after committing the murder?
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What does Porter say are the three things that drink provokes?
What does Porter say are the three things that drink provokes?
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What does Macduff discover upon entering the king's chamber?
What does Macduff discover upon entering the king's chamber?
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What metaphor does Macbeth use to describe his feelings after Duncan's murder?
What metaphor does Macbeth use to describe his feelings after Duncan's murder?
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What does Lady Macbeth instruct upon learning about the murder?
What does Lady Macbeth instruct upon learning about the murder?
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Why does Macbeth kill the guards, according to his own explanation?
Why does Macbeth kill the guards, according to his own explanation?
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How does Lennox describe the night before Duncan's murder?
How does Lennox describe the night before Duncan's murder?
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What is Lady Macbeth's reaction upon hearing about Duncan's murder?
What is Lady Macbeth's reaction upon hearing about Duncan's murder?
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What suggestion does Malcolm make to Donalbain after Duncan's murder?
What suggestion does Malcolm make to Donalbain after Duncan's murder?
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How does Macbeth refer to Duncan's body when trying to convey the gravity of the situation?
How does Macbeth refer to Duncan's body when trying to convey the gravity of the situation?
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What does Ross imply about the natural order of the world after Duncan's murder?
What does Ross imply about the natural order of the world after Duncan's murder?
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What strange event involving birds does Ross recount?
What strange event involving birds does Ross recount?
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How do Duncan's horses behave after his death?
How do Duncan's horses behave after his death?
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What conclusion does Ross reach about the possible fate of the throne?
What conclusion does Ross reach about the possible fate of the throne?
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What does Macduff state about Duncan's sons after his murder?
What does Macduff state about Duncan's sons after his murder?
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What does Banquo imply when he mentions 'there's husbandry in heaven'?
What does Banquo imply when he mentions 'there's husbandry in heaven'?
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What does Macbeth mean when he says, 'Being unprepared, our will became the servant to defect'?
What does Macbeth mean when he says, 'Being unprepared, our will became the servant to defect'?
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What is the primary purpose of Macbeth's soliloquy regarding the dagger?
What is the primary purpose of Macbeth's soliloquy regarding the dagger?
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What does Banquo imply by saying he dreamt 'of the three weird sisters'?
What does Banquo imply by saying he dreamt 'of the three weird sisters'?
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How does Macbeth's uncertainty about the dagger reflect his character development?
How does Macbeth's uncertainty about the dagger reflect his character development?
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What does Macbeth's phrase 'thou marshall'st me the way that I was going' suggest about his mindset?
What does Macbeth's phrase 'thou marshall'st me the way that I was going' suggest about his mindset?
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What does the imagery of 'gouts of blood' signify in Macbeth's vision of the dagger?
What does the imagery of 'gouts of blood' signify in Macbeth's vision of the dagger?
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What does Macbeth mean by the expression 'a dagger of the mind, a false creation'?
What does Macbeth mean by the expression 'a dagger of the mind, a false creation'?
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What reaction does Macbeth have when he hears the voice saying, 'Sleep no more!'?
What reaction does Macbeth have when he hears the voice saying, 'Sleep no more!'?
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Why does Lady Macbeth scold Macbeth for bringing the daggers with him?
Why does Lady Macbeth scold Macbeth for bringing the daggers with him?
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What does Macbeth mean by saying, 'I would thou couldst!' at the end of the scene?
What does Macbeth mean by saying, 'I would thou couldst!' at the end of the scene?
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What does Lady Macbeth mean by saying, 'Your constancy hath left you unattended'?
What does Lady Macbeth mean by saying, 'Your constancy hath left you unattended'?
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What does Macbeth's statement about Neptune's ocean signify?
What does Macbeth's statement about Neptune's ocean signify?
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What does Lady Macbeth mean when she says, 'That which hath made them drunk hath made me bold'?
What does Lady Macbeth mean when she says, 'That which hath made them drunk hath made me bold'?
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What does the knocking signify when it occurs at the end of the scene?
What does the knocking signify when it occurs at the end of the scene?
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What is Lady Macbeth's attitude towards the murder they've committed?
What is Lady Macbeth's attitude towards the murder they've committed?
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What does Macbeth realize about his hands after committing the murder?
What does Macbeth realize about his hands after committing the murder?
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What does the mention of 'pale Hecate's offerings' imply in Macbeth's soliloquy?
What does the mention of 'pale Hecate's offerings' imply in Macbeth's soliloquy?
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What is the purpose of alcohol according to the Porter?
What is the purpose of alcohol according to the Porter?
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How does Macbeth react to the murder of King Duncan?
How does Macbeth react to the murder of King Duncan?
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What does Lennox report about the strange events of the night?
What does Lennox report about the strange events of the night?
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What does Macduff mean when he says 'Confusion now hath made his masterpiece'?
What does Macduff mean when he says 'Confusion now hath made his masterpiece'?
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What is Lady Macbeth's reaction when she hears about Duncan's murder?
What is Lady Macbeth's reaction when she hears about Duncan's murder?
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Why does Macbeth say he would have been blessed if he had died an hour before Duncan's murder?
Why does Macbeth say he would have been blessed if he had died an hour before Duncan's murder?
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What does Malcolm suggest to Donalbain after hearing the news of their father's murder?
What does Malcolm suggest to Donalbain after hearing the news of their father's murder?
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How does Macbeth characterize Duncan's body upon discovering the murder?
How does Macbeth characterize Duncan's body upon discovering the murder?
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What does Macduff mean by saying Duncan's murder has 'broke ope the Lord's anointed temple'?
What does Macduff mean by saying Duncan's murder has 'broke ope the Lord's anointed temple'?
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What does Macbeth's claim that 'the wine of life is drawn' suggest about his feelings?
What does Macbeth's claim that 'the wine of life is drawn' suggest about his feelings?
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Study Notes
Act II, Scene 1
- Banquo and Fleance enter, discussing the late hour.
- Macbeth and a Servant carrying a torch enter, Macbeth is still awake.
- Macbeth and Banquo discuss the weird sisters and their prophecies
- Macbeth asks Banquo to cleave to his consent, hinting at his ambition.
- Banquo is wary of Macbeth's intentions.
- Macbeth exits and starts hallucinating a dagger, questioning its reality
- Macbeth wonders whether his bloody business is influencing his perception, referencing the "heat-oppressed brain."
- Macbeth feels conflicted between his ambition and fear of being caught.
- A bell rings, signaling the start of his plan.
Act II, Scene 2
- Lady Macbeth enters, confident and bold, revealing she drugged the guards.
- Macbeth enters, saying he has done the deed, but is already questioning his actions.
- Lady Macbeth dismisses Macbeth's fear and tells him to wash his hands and plant the daggers on the guards.
- Macbeth is troubled by his inability to pronounce "Amen" when he hears the guards praying.
- Lady Macbeth tries to calm Macbeth's anxieties, but Macbeth is haunted by a voice crying “Sleep no more.”
- Lady Macbeth takes charge of the situation, retrieving the daggers and smears the guards with blood.
Act II, Scene 3
- The Porter enters and delivers a humorous and cynical speech, referencing different professions, while knocking continues.
- Macduff and Lennox arrive and are startled by the Porter's behavior.
- Macduff and Lennox are both shocked and grieved to hear of the King's murder.
- Macduff encourages Lennox to see the crime scene themselves.
Act II, Scene 4
- An old man and Ross discuss the strange events of the previous night, commenting on the darkness and the unsettling behavior of the King's horses.
- Macduff arrives, revealing the murder was carried out by the guards, who Macbeth killed in a fit of rage.
- Ross asks Macduff who is suspected of the crime, and Macduff names Malcolm and Donalbain.
- Ross and the old man comment on Macbeth's quick rise to power, leaving the future uncertain.
- Macduff departs for Fife while Ross heads for Scone to witness Macbeth's coronation.
Act II, Scene 1
- Banquo and Fleance enter, Banquo is disturbed and can't sleep
- Macbeth joins them, indicating he is also troubled
- Macbeth tells Banquo he did not receive their guests well, blames his inability to prepare
- Banquo comments on a dream of the three witches, suggests some of it was true
- Macbeth asks Banquo for time to speak about witches, promises honor in return
- Banquo agrees to discuss it if it doesn't compromise his loyalty
- Macbeth sends a servant to tell Lady Macbeth to ring a bell when his drink is ready
- Macbeth hallucinates a dagger, debates if it is real or a figment of his imagination
- Macbeth describes seeing blood on the dagger, believing his bloody intentions are manifesting
- Macbeth compares himself to a ghost acting on a murderous plan
- Macbeth fears the earth will reveal his location, causing him to hesitate
Act II, Scene 2
- Lady Macbeth reveals she spiked the grooms' drinks, causing them to sleep deeply
- She explains the attempt, rather than the deed, is what scares her
- Lady Macbeth says she would have killed Duncan herself if he hadn't reminded her of her father
- Macbeth enters, confirming he has killed Duncan
- Macbeth and Lady Macbeth discuss hearing noises and the grooms' reactions to Duncan's murder
- Macbeth struggles to say “Amen” and feels guilty
- Lady Macbeth tries to convince Macbeth to calm down
- Macbeth describes the effects of his bloody act on all those around him, particularly sleep
- Lady Macbeth scolds Macbeth for leaving the daggers, tells him to smear the grooms with blood
- Macbeth is overcome with fear and refuses, Lady Macbeth takes over, blaming him for being weak
- Lady Macbeth suggests she will frame the grooms for the murder
- Macbeth is haunted by the noise of knocking, questioning his sanity and struggling to clean the blood off his hands
- Lady Macbeth returns, announcing she is now covered in blood
Act II, Scene 3
- The Porter enters, using his role as a metaphor to satirize various professions
- The Porter makes a sarcastic comparison to hell, mocking the corrupt English tailor stealing from the French
- Macduff and Lennox enter, noticing the Porter is still asleep
- The Porter discusses how alcohol can affect behavior and create confusion
- Macduff asks if the King is awake, Macbeth enters
- Macduff explains he was supposed to wake the King, Macbeth offers to bring him
- Lennox and Macduff discuss the weather and strange occurrences of the night
- Macduff enters the chamber, returning in shock
- Macduff announces Duncan's death, describes the scene as a gruesome awakening
Act II, Scene 4
- An Old Man recalls past events, stating the current night is unlike anything he has ever seen
- Ross and the Old Man observe the unnatural darkness of the day
- The Old Man describes a falcon killed by an owl, highlighting the unnatural events
- Ross describes the king's horses turning wild and eating each other
- Macduff enters and informs Ross that Malcolm and Donalbain are missing
- Ross believes Macbeth will likely become King after the sons flee
- Macduff announces Duncan's body is being taken to Colmekill, Malcolm and Donalbain flee to England and Ireland
- Ross and Macduff express their fear of what the future may hold
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Description
Test your knowledge on Act II of Shakespeare's Macbeth. This quiz covers key scenes, character interactions, and themes as Macbeth grapples with ambition, guilt, and hallucinations. Examine important moments between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth that propel the plot forward.
