The Tragedy of Macbeth, Act II
RL.11-12.2 Determine two or more themes or central ideas of a text and analyze their development throughout the text, including how they interact and build on one another to produce a complex account; provide an objective summary of the text.
- (a) Determine two or more themes or central ideas of a text.
Reread Act II, Scene ii, of The Tragedy of Macbeth. Identify two related themes or ideas about violence or guilt conveyed by Macbeth’s remarks and actions.
Macbeth’s ideas in Act II scene ii portray the theme of violence and guilt. In the play (2:2:91), Macbeth says, “I would thou couldst” to show genuine remorse and guilt in his actions. Lady Macbeth has periods of hallucinations over the death of the king, an aspect that prevents them from enjoying the power they had craved for.
Violence is a central theme in the play as Macbeth and his wife kill the king and get their hands stained in blood. Macbeth comes out of the king’s chambers, saying, “I have done the deed,” to mean that he had committed the act of murder, thus showing the theme of violence (Shakespeare, 2.2.19).[unique_solution]
- Analyze how the two themes develop throughout the text. Citing details from the text, explain how the two themes identified in Part A develop and interact over the course of Act II.
The themes of violence and guilt proceed throughout the text as Macbeth gets insane over the guilt associated with the king’s murder and dies shortly after. Seyton explains to Macbeth that his wife is dead, saying, “the queen, my lord, is dead” (Shakespeare, 5.5.17). Guilt overwhelms Macbeth, who becomes a tyrant and orders the death of Banquo and Macduff’s family without any remorse. The murderers say, let it come down” (Shakespeare, 3.3.14) when killing Banquo and his family. The theme of violence is evident throughout the play.
(c) Provide an objective summary of the text.
Write a summary of Act II of The Tragedy of Macbeth. Include the main events, the actions of the main characters, and the motives or reasons for those actions.
Act II presents a discussion between Banquo and Macbeth that are presented by hallucinations. Macbeth is guilty about Duncan’s death, and the memories keep haunting him. Lady Macbeth prepares the murder of Duncan by drugging the guards, after which Macbeth executes the act. Macbeth kills the guards to cover up the murder, after which Duncan’s sons flee for safety. Act II ends with the crowning of Macbeth as King. The king’s sons are blamed for the murder of the king as they have escaped showing their fear of punishment.
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RL.11-12.3 Analyze the impact of the author’s choices regarding how to develop and relate elements of a story or drama (e.g., where a story is set, how the action is ordered, how the characters are introduced and developed).
- (a) Analyze the impact of the author’s choices regarding how to develop elements of a story or drama.
Describe how the character of Macduff is introduced and developed in Act II of The Tragedy of Macbeth. Explain what his reaction to King Duncan’s death shows about him.
The character of Macduff is developed as he discovers the king’s death. At first, the king is shocked about the king’s murder and sad that one has done an offensive act to God by killing an individual who was appointed by the heavens. Macduff is upset by the sight f the king’s body and informs Macbeth that he is not ready to discuss the king’s murder. “Do not bid me to speak,” (2.3.76).
(b) Analyze the impact of the author’s choices regarding how to relate elements of a story or drama. Consider the relationship between Lady Macbeth and her husband Act II, Scene ii, of The Tragedy of Macbeth. What is different about their actions and about the way they react to events?
The author’s choice on how to relate various elements of drama has helped to showcase the relationships between different themes, structure, and aspects of the study. For instance, the news of the king’s murder was revealed by Macduff, whose personality made it possible to portray the expected feelings of sadness and shock effectively.
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FIRST READ EXTENSION QUESTIONS
The Tragedy of Macbeth, Act II
Act II scene ii portrays Macbeth as loyal and one with a discerning character while Macbeth is callous and had malicious ambition. After the king’s murder, Macbeth is shocked by the act and fails to plant the dagger in the guard’s chambers. He says, “I am afraid to think what I have done” (2.2.64). The wife takes the dagger courageously, saying that she cannot portray the same cowardice as that of her husband. Macbeth is ashamed of the husband’s actions and says, “hands are of your color, but I shame to wear a heart so white” (Shakespeare, 2.2.75).