Macbeth Annotations
Act 2
Act 2; Scene 1
"Which was not so before. There’s no such thing. It is the bloody business which informs, Thus to mine eyes."
- This quote is talking about the dagger and how he is imagining it because he is planning on killing Duncan. Its a motif for violence.
- In this scene Macbeth has an aside and explains that he imagines a dagger appear in front of him because of the murder he is about to commit. He talks and says the longer he stays there the more he looses courage. When he hears the bell he knows it time to do the deed.
- They are gonna kill Duncan and when everyone finds out they will play it cool.
Act 2; Scene 2
"Methought I heard a voice cry, “Sleep no more! Macbeth does murder sleep”—the innocent sleep."
- This quote is talking about how he thought he heard someone say that while killing Duncan, This means that Macbeth won't be able to sleep anymore because he is guilty of something. Sleep is a motif for corruption.
- In this scene the deed has finally been done and Macbeth is very disturbed. He comes back to Lady Macbeth still holding the daggers and she freaks out, he claims he heard some one call his name while murdering Duncan, Lady Macbeth tells him to get it together and goes and frames the guards. They hear knocking at their door and hurry to look like they are in bed and clean up.
- Next everyone is going to find out that the King is dead and they will play along and be sad .
Act 2; Scene 3
"I know this is a joyful trouble to you, But yet ’tis one."
- This quote was when they were explaining the troubles of the King's company. They said it was a happy trouble but a trouble to house him for the night. This is a paradox.
- In this scene Macduff finds the Kings murdered in bed and alerts everyone that there has been a terrible crime. Everyone rushes in and is shocked, including Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Macduff, Macbeth, Banquo, Malcolm, and Donalbain all agree to get ready and then come back to discuss what has just happened. However Malcolm and Donalbain stay behind and decide to go separate ways. Malcolm will head to England and Donalbain to Ireland.
- I think they are going to pin the murder on Malcolm and Donalbain.
Act 2; Scene 4
"Thou seest the heavens, as troubled with man’s act, Threatens his bloody stage"
- This quote is talking about how the skies are unhappy with what the humans are doing and how they are threatening the earth with storms. This is backing up the superstition that if there is unbalance a man must have caused it
- In this scene Ross meets with an old wise man who is very disturbed by the acts that has just occurred. Macduff shows up and says that the guards were bribed to kill the King and that they thought that Malcolm and Donalbain were responsible for the crime because they both have left which makes it look suspicious.