Act 2 Analysis (Grade 12 NSC Matric English FAL): Revision Notes
Act 2 Analysis
Overview of Act 2
Act 2 of Macbeth represents the turning point of the play, where Macbeth's ambition transforms from mere desire into murderous action. This act explores the psychological and moral consequences of evil deeds, showing how guilt and paranoia begin to consume both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. The themes of loyalty versus treachery, appearance versus reality, and the corrupting nature of unchecked ambition are central throughout these scenes.
Act 2 marks the crucial transformation where Macbeth crosses the line from contemplating evil to actually committing it. This shift fundamentally changes both his character and the trajectory of the entire play.
Act 2, Scene 1: The dagger vision and Banquo's loyalty
Key events
This scene takes place in the courtyard of Macbeth's castle at Inverness, where Macbeth encounters Banquo and his son Fleance during the night. The darkness that surrounds the castle serves as a metaphor for the evil deeds that the Macbeths are planning to conceal.
Banquo's troubled state: Banquo reveals that he has been unable to sleep, haunted by disturbing dreams about the three witches' prophecies. Unlike Macbeth, Banquo seeks divine protection from temptation, showing his moral integrity. He prays to avoid being tempted to commit evil acts, demonstrating the stark contrast between his character and Macbeth's.
Testing loyalty: Macbeth attempts to secure Banquo's future support by suggesting that when the opportunity arises, Banquo will be "generously rewarded" for his loyalty. This represents Macbeth's calculating nature as he tries to ensure allies for his planned treachery.
Banquo's response: Banquo's reply is crucial - he declares his "unconditional loyalty to Duncan" whilst keeping his conscience clear. This response signals his own death sentence, as Macbeth realises that Banquo cannot be trusted to remain silent about the witches' prophecies.
Banquo's unwavering loyalty to Duncan in this scene essentially seals his fate. His moral integrity, while admirable, makes him a threat to Macbeth's plans and foreshadows his eventual murder.
The dagger hallucination
After Banquo leaves, Macbeth experiences his famous dagger vision. His overactive imagination and guilt manifest as a floating dagger that leads him towards Duncan's chamber. This supernatural element reflects Macbeth's psychological turmoil and serves as a symbol of his bloody intentions.
The bell that Lady Macbeth rings serves as both a practical signal and a symbolic funeral bell, announcing Duncan's impending death. Shakespeare deliberately keeps the actual murder off-stage, focusing instead on the psychological impact on the characters.
Act 2, Scene 2: The aftermath of murder
Lady Macbeth's anxiety
Lady Macbeth waits nervously for her husband to complete the murder, showing that despite her earlier strength, she too is affected by their evil plan. Her fear is evident in how every sound frightens her - she mentions the hooting of an owl, which was associated with death in Shakespeare's time.
Her limitations revealed: Lady Macbeth admits that she had to drink alcohol to calm her nerves, and crucially, she reveals that she could not kill Duncan herself because "he looked too much like her own father." This moment humanises her character and shows her limitations despite her earlier manipulation of Macbeth.
Lady Macbeth's admission about Duncan resembling her father reveals her humanity beneath her manipulative exterior. This moment of vulnerability contrasts sharply with her earlier ruthless determination.
Macbeth's psychological breakdown
When Macbeth returns from Duncan's chamber, he is completely devastated by what he has done. Several key elements show his mental state:
Religious imagery: Macbeth believes he heard a voice crying "that Macbeth will sleep no more" because he has "murdered sleep." This suggests that his guilt will prevent him from ever finding peace again. His inability to say "Amen" to a prayer indicates his spiritual separation from God due to his evil deed.
Blood symbolism: The blood on Macbeth's hands becomes a powerful symbol throughout the scene. His observation that "not even all the water in the ocean will be able to wash the blood off his hands" shows how deeply the guilt has affected him. The blood represents not just the physical evidence of murder, but the permanent stain on his conscience.
The cover-up plan
Lady Macbeth takes control of the practical aspects of their crime. She smears the sleeping guards with blood and places the daggers beside them to frame them for Duncan's murder. Her comment that "a little water clears us from the deed" contrasts sharply with Macbeth's belief about the permanent nature of their guilt, showing how differently they initially process their crime.
The persistent knocking at the gate creates dramatic tension and forces them to quickly change into their nightclothes to maintain the appearance that they were asleep when the murder occurred.
The contrasting attitudes towards the blood - Lady Macbeth's practical "a little water clears us" versus Macbeth's anguished belief about permanent staining - reveals their different psychological responses and foreshadows their divergent paths towards guilt and madness.
Act 2, Scene 3: The discovery of Duncan's body
The porter scene
The scene begins with comic relief as a drunken porter struggles to answer the persistent knocking at the castle gate. His jokes about hell's gate-keeper provide temporary respite from the tension, but also introduce themes of damnation that relate to Macbeth's spiritual condition.
Dramatic irony: The porter's comparison of the castle to hell proves metaphorically accurate - Macbeth has indeed turned his home into a place of evil and damnation.
The discovery and reactions
Macduff's role: Macduff arrives to wake King Duncan and becomes the one to discover the murdered king. His horror at finding the body contrasts with Macbeth's pretended shock, highlighting the theme of appearance versus reality.
Macbeth's performance: When the murder is announced, Macbeth must act surprised and grieved. However, his response reveals his guilt - he immediately kills the guards, claiming he was overcome with rage at seeing Duncan's murderers. This action serves the dual purpose of eliminating potential witnesses and appearing to seek justice.
Lady Macbeth's fainting: Lady Macbeth's fainting spell may be genuine shock at her husband's unexpected action, or it could be a calculated move to divert attention from Macbeth's suspicious behaviour. This ambiguity adds to the complex portrayal of her character.
Shakespeare's use of the porter scene demonstrates masterful dramatic technique - the comic relief not only provides respite from intense drama but also deepens the themes through metaphorical references to hell and damnation.
The flight of Duncan's sons
Malcolm and Donalbain, Duncan's sons, decide to flee Scotland immediately. They recognise that their lives are in danger and that they cannot trust anyone in the current circumstances. Malcolm flees to England while Donalbain escapes to Ireland. Their flight, while sensible for their safety, makes them appear guilty and provides Macbeth with the perfect scapegoats for their father's murder.
Act 2, Scene 4: Consequences and Macbeth's rise
The unnatural events
The murder of the rightful king has disrupted the natural order, causing strange phenomena to occur. These supernatural events reflect the Elizabethan belief that regicide (killing a king) was a crime against God and nature itself.
Macbeth becomes king
With Duncan dead and his sons fled, Macbeth is next in line for the throne. The scene establishes that he will be crowned king, achieving his ambition but at a terrible cost. However, suspicion already surrounds him, particularly from Macduff, who refuses to attend Macbeth's coronation at Scone.
Growing suspicion: Macduff's refusal to witness Macbeth's crowning demonstrates that not everyone accepts his right to rule. This establishes the foundation for future conflict and shows that Macbeth's troubles are only beginning.
Macduff's absence from Macbeth's coronation is significant - it shows that some nobles are already suspicious and unwilling to legitimise Macbeth's rule, setting up the future conflict that will drive the rest of the play.
Key themes in Act 2
Guilt and conscience
Act 2 explores how guilt affects both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth differently. While Macbeth is immediately overwhelmed by remorse and fear, Lady Macbeth initially appears more practical and controlled, though later scenes reveal that she too is deeply affected.
Appearance versus reality
Throughout Act 2, characters must constantly pretend to be what they are not. The Macbeths must appear innocent while being guilty, loyal while being treacherous, and grief-stricken while being responsible for the tragedy.
Blood symbolism
Blood appears throughout Act 2 as a symbol of guilt, violence, and the consequences of evil actions. The different ways Macbeth and Lady Macbeth view the blood on their hands reveals their contrasting psychological responses to their crime.
Loyalty and treachery
The act contrasts true loyalty (Banquo to Duncan) with false loyalty (Macbeth's pretence) and outright treachery (the murder itself). These themes establish the moral framework that will drive the remainder of the play.
Key Points to Remember:
- Act 2 is the turning point - Macbeth transforms from a tempted warrior into a murderer, setting the tragic events of the play in motion
- Psychological consequences are immediate - Both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth show signs of guilt and paranoia immediately after the murder, foreshadowing their eventual downfall
- Blood symbolism is central - The blood represents not just physical evidence but the permanent moral stain of their crime
- Appearance versus reality dominates - Characters must constantly pretend to be what they are not, creating dramatic irony and tension
- The natural order is disrupted - Duncan's murder causes supernatural disturbances, reflecting the Elizabethan belief in the divine right of kings and the consequences of regicide