1. With what words does Banquo reaffirm his loyalty to King Duncan?
2. What lie does Macbeth tell Banquo and why?
3. How do Macbeth and Lady Macbeth differ in their reactions to the murder?
4. Who are Macbeth's other victims? Why does he commit more murders?
5. Considering journal entry number 3, what are some recurring motifs in Act 2?
Shelley:
ReplyDelete1. With what words does Banquo reaffirm his loyalty to King Duncan?
“Fears and scruples shake us. / In the great hand of God I stand, and thence / against the undivulged pretense I fight. / Of treasonous malice.” (2.3.131-134)
Banquo is brave and devoted to the king. He realizes that the killer will eventually be found and will fight to avenge the king’s murder. Banquo believes that God is on his side and that he will successfully fight whoever committed such a treasonous act.
2. What lie does Macbeth tell Banquo and why?
Macbeth told Banquo two lies.
The first one is Banquo said “I dreamt last night of the three Weird Sisters” (2.1.21). Macbeth replied “I think not of them” (2.1.23). He lied to Banquo because thinking about witches’ prophecy equals thinking about being the king. So on one would think Macbeth wants to be the King. He won’t be suspected.
The second one is that Macbeth tells Banquo that “Oh, yet I do repent me of my fury, that I did kill them” (2.3.108-109). Actually, Macbeth kills Duncan and shifts the misfortune onto Duncan’s chamber. Because Macbeth didn’t want to others suspect him and he wants to let others think that he is faithful to King Duncan. “Who can be wise, amazed, temp’rate and furious, / Loyal and neutral, in a moment? No man…… Who could refrain that had a heart to love, and in that heart courage to make’s love known?” (2.3.110-111&118-120). Because of these words and actions Macbeth does, he shows his faith to Duncan and lets others not suspect him though he knows he killed the King. The most likely thing will happen is Macbeth will be the next king.
3. How do Macbeth and Lady Macbeth differ in their reactions to the murder?
Macbeth: But wherefore could not I pronounce “Amen”?
Macbeth is scared about what is going to happen because he killed the king. He feels that he will be judged by others and by God. “I had most need of blessing, and “Amen” stuck in my throat. (2.2.30-32). “Methought I heard a voice cry “Sleep no more! Macbeth does murder sleep” (2.2.39-40). He does not want to remember what he has done – not the sight, sound, or smell – because it makes him relive the murder, “I am afraid to think about what I have done; Look on’t again I dare not” (2.2.56-57). “How is’t with me, when every noise appalls me? What hands are here? Ha! They pluck out mine eyes. Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood clean from my hands? No, this my hand will rather the multitudinous seas incarnadine, making the green one red” (2.2.62-67). Macbeth does not feel like himself. Lady Macbeth convinced him that the only way to become king was to kill the current king, but this is against his normal character.
Lady Macbeth is excited for the possibility of being queen and is positive that what she and her husband have planned is the best choice to make what the witches predicted come true. She has had some drinks, which makes her judgment different and gives her more confidence, “That which hath made them drunk hath made me bold; what hath quenched them hath given me fire” (2.2.1-3). Lady Macbeth is calm after Macbeth kills King Duncan. She also tells her husband what to do next so Macbeth will not be suspected. “Go get some water and wash this filthy witness from your hand. Why did you bring these daggers from the place? They must lie there. Go carry them and smear the sleepy grooms with blood” (2.2.50-54). She tells Macbeth to go put the daggers back, but when he cannot, she goes herself. “My hands are of your color, but I shame to wear a heart so white” (2.2.68-69). She has the conviction of a man, and Macbeth is more frightened and overwhelmed like a woman even though he has killed often as a soldier.
4. Who are Macbeth's other victims? Why does he commit more murders?
ReplyDeleteThose of Duncan’s chamber become Macbeth’s other victims. Lady Macbeth tells Macbeth what she did to Duncan’s chamber, “The doors are open; and the surfeited grooms / Do mock their charge with snores. I have drugged their possets, / that death and nature do contend about them / whether they live or die” (2.3.4-8). Macbeth wants to be the next king. Firstly, he needs to kill King Duncan. Next, he doesn’t want to be suspected. He must act well and shift the misfortune onto other to keep him innocent. “Why did you bring these daggers from the place? / They must lie there. Go, carry them and smear / the sleepy grooms with blood” (2.2.52-54). So he kills Duncan’s chamber and states that they killed Duncan. However, if they are alive, they are certain to point out that Macbeth committed the murders. Therefore, Macbeth simply kills chamber and lets them become scapegoats. Through this method, Macbeth can show his faith to others as well. His probability to become the next king increases.
5. Considering journal entry number 3, what are some recurring motifs in Act 2?
Darkness always appears, even in the daytime with an eclipse, because of the evil and corrupt events that are happening. That is why “night” is used so often - sometimes because of the time of day but sometimes because of the weather.
“Hand” can be interpreted as a part of the body or as influence or as involvement, which is why it is used so often. Although the characters do not know who murdered the king, most believe that one of the men there had a “hand” in it.
Blood is used so often because it cannot be escaped. It is like the evil act cannot be undone and will not go away even after the king is buried. In many ways it is like the king’s dead and bleeding body is a stepping stone for Macbeth.
Chisom Oraedu (post 1):
ReplyDelete1. With what words does Banquo reaffirm his loyalty to King Duncan?
In the beginning of Act 2, Scene 1, Macbeth and Banquo converse about their encounter with the witches. Banquo is still fearful of their prophesy: “’…I dreamt last night of the three Weird Sisters. To you they have showed some truth’” (II.i.21-22). He is still not sure if he can believe them, and is uncertain of his future. After he makes his fears known, Macbeth responds by saying that he has forgotten about the witches and has moved on. He says, “’I think not of them’” (II.i.23). Macbeth goes on to say that he is certain that his future will be one of prosperity. He even offers Banquo the chance to join him in his quest for power. Banquo politely declines, reaffirming his loyalty to King Duncan. Macbeth proposes, “’If you shall cleave to my consent when ‘tis, It shall make honor for you’” (II.i.26-27). Banquo, being the good friend that he is, does not want to openly deny his offer; instead, he slyly says that he will support Macbeth as long as he remains guilt-free. He says, “’So I lose none In seeking to augment it, but still keep My bosom franchised and allegiance clear, I shall be counseled’” (II.i.27-30). He is one-hundred percent loyal to King Duncan, and even though Macbeth is his friend, he is not willing to go against Duncan to support Macbeth.
2. What lie does Macbeth tell Banquo and why?
Macbeth lies to Banquo when he tells him that he has not thought of the witches since their encounter with them. Macbeth says to Banquo, “’I think not of them [the witches]’” (II.i.23). This is not true. He thought of the witches when he wrote the letter to Lady Macbeth. In the letter, he articulates, “’…these Weird Sisters saluted me, and referred me to the coming on of time…’” (I.v.8-9). He immediately tells his wife about the prophecy, even though he told Banquo that it would stay between them. In reality, Macbeth is taking the witches’ prophecy very seriously and wants it to come true. He secretly longs to be king. This is exemplified when he says, “’…Let not light see my black and deep desires’” (I.iv.51). His true desire is to be king. The only reason that he tells Banquo that he has not thought of them is because he wants it to come off that he has brushed the encounter off and has moved on. If Banquo knew that Macbeth desperately wanted to be king, after the murder of Duncan his mind would automatically jump to Macbeth as the culprit. It would be the conclusion that made the most sense since Banquo would have known that Macbeth wanted to be king. To prevent Banquo from knowing his true desire for the crown, Macbeth lies to Banquo.
3. How do Macbeth and Lady Macbeth differ in their reactions to the murder?
After Macbeth murders Duncan, he feels extreme guilt. He reveals, “'I’ll go no more. I am afraid to think what I have done…’” (II.ii.55-56). He seems much more relatable and easier to feel sympathetic for then his wife, Lady Macbeth. After the murder, she is cold and heartless. Her reaction toward it is very detached. After the murder, she is like a machine. She knows what has to be done to not get caught. She says to Macbeth, “’Why did you bring these daggers from the place? They must lie there’” (II.ii.52-53). At first, it seems like she does not care about her husband at all, that she only cares about covering their tracks. Later on, she begins to see the fragile state that her husband is in and consoles him. Macbeth is troubled by his hands being covered in Duncan’s blood. To him, the blood is a “’filthy witness from your hand’” (II.ii.51). It reminds him of the terrible deed which he has just committed. Lady Macbeth covers her own hands in blood so Macbeth would feel less guilty about the blood on his hands. She says, “’My hands are of your color…’” (II.ii.68). This shows the sweet side of Lady Macbeth, and her ability to take care of her husband. The reactions of Lady Macbeth and her husband are very different.
Chisom Oraedu (post 1 cont.):
ReplyDelete4. Who are Macbeth's other victims? Why does he commit more murders?
Macbeth’s other victims besides Duncan are the servants. Initially, he just planned to frame them for the murder of Duncan: “’…it must seem their [the servants’] guilt’” (II.ii.61). When the other nobles and countrymen awaken and find that Duncan is murdered, Macbeth panics. He feels that he must cover his tracks in any way that is necessary. When he went to kill Duncan in the night, Macbeth was not sure if the drug had taken affect and that the servants were fully asleep. They may have seen him enter Duncan’s chamber. Macbeth articulates, “’…they did wake each other. I stood and heard them’” (II.ii.26-27). He must rid himself of the possibility that they may remember something from the night and reveal that he is the true culprit of the murder. Macbeth is anxious after he commits the murder and wants to rid himself of this anxiety. After committing the murder, he scrutinizes every moment, remembering each detail about the half-awake servants. He remembers their exact actions during the night: “’One cried ‘God bless us!’ and ‘Amen!’ the other, As they had seen me with these hangman’s hands’” (II.ii.30-31). Macbeth is sure that they saw him in the night, so he feels that the only solution is to kill them. In order to rid himself of the fear of getting caught, Macbeth kills the servants.
5. Considering journal entry number 3, what are some recurring motifs in Act 2?
There are various recurring motifs throughout Act 2. The first recurring motif is the word blood, which is found many times throughout the act. The recurrence of the word blood signifies the murder and death that is found in the act. Macbeth murders Duncan, which therefore causes him to have, both figuratively and literally, blood on his hands. Macbeth later articulates about the murder, “’The spring, the head, the fountain of your blood Is stopped, the very source of it is stopped’” (II.iii.99-100). Macbeth is telling Duncan’s son that his father is dead. The repetition of the word blood signifies the murder and killing found in Act 2.
Another recurring motif is the word night. Much of the action in the act happens during this time. For example, Macbeth kills Duncan in the night when he is sleeping. Lennox describes the night of the murder: “’The night has been unruly…Lamentings heard i’th’air, strange screams of death, And prophesying with accents terrible Of dire combustion and confused events…’” (II.iii.54-58). This tumultuous storm foreshadows the terrible events that are to occur that night. In this case, the night was used as a sort of preeminent force that warned the people that something terrible was about to happen to their king. There is also another use for this motif. The night is the veil for the duplicity and hypocrisy of Lady Macbeth and Macbeth. Just as the night is dark and covers the sky, a veil covers the true feelings and characters of the people behind them. Nobody realizes what the two are plotting. Duncan completely trusts them, which is why he requests to stay with them for a few days. He never uncovered their true intentions. Lady Macbeth plots, “’The raven himself is hoarse That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan Under my battlements’” (I.v.38-40). Lady Macbeth and her husband plotted from the beginning to kill Duncan. The recurrence of the word night signifies the masking of Lady Macbeth and Macbeth’s true intentions.
Chisom Oraedu (post 2):
ReplyDelete1. With what words does Banquo reaffirm his loyalty to King Duncan?
Banquo is loyal to King Duncan from the beginning. His loyalty never wavers, even when he finds out that Macbeth longs to gain the crown. Macbeth reveals, “’If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me Without my stir’” (I.iv.143-145). If fate takes a turn and Macbeth becomes king, he is not opposed to it. Despite knowing that his friend’s true desire, he does not turn against Duncan. He pledges his allegiance to him wholeheartedly. When Duncan is found murdered, Banquo is deeply troubled. Banquo laments, “’…let us meet And question this most bloody piece of work To know it further. Fears and scruples shake us. In the great hand of God I stand, and thence Against the undivulged pretense I fight Of treasonous malice’” (II.iii.129-134). Banquo is truly distraught and mourns after Duncan’s murder. It is not the same false mask that Macbeth puts on to seem sad; Banquo truly loved Duncan and did not want him to die. He pledges uncover the true culprit of the murder and punish them. When he pledges this, he reaffirms his loyalty to King Duncan.
2. What lie does Macbeth tell Banquo and why?
Macbeth lies to Banquo when he tells him that he has not thought about the witched since their encounter with them in the beginning of the play. Banquo brings the matter of their prophecy up when he reveals, “’I dreamt last night of the three Weird Sisters. To you they have showed some truth’” (II.i.21-22). It is true that part of their prophecy has already come true; Macbeth has been made Thane of Cawdor. It only makes logical sense to assume that the other part of the prophecy will also come true; Macbeth will become king. Macbeth cannot let Banquo reach this conclusion. Macbeth already knows at this point that he is going to kill Duncan to gain the crown. If Banquo were to know that Macbeth has been thinking about the witches and their prophecy and had been plotting behind closed doors, then he might figure out in the future that Macbeth murdered Duncan. It would be a logical conclusion since Macbeth so longed to become king. Macbeth knows that Banquo may reach this conclusion, so he tells him, “’I think not of them [the witches]’” (II.i.23). In order to prevent Banquo from finding out that he will be the murderer of Duncan, he lies.
3. How do Macbeth and Lady Macbeth differ in their reactions to the murder?
After Macbeth murders Duncan, he seems very frazzled; it’s like he’s on the edge and is just about to fall off. He hallucinates and hears things. He feels frightened by the things that he’s imagining: “’Whence is that knocking? How is’t with me, when every noise appalls me?’” (II.ii.62-63). There isn’t really a knocking sound. It’s all in his head. After the murder, Macbeth has lost his grip on reality, blurring the lines between his mind and the real world. In contrast, Lady Macbeth is very level-headed and calm after the murder. She immediately assesses what must be done next after the murder of Duncan. She does feel one bit of regret over the murder: “’These deeds must not be thought After these ways’” (II.ii.37-38). She feels that if they can just clear it from their minds and forget about it, then they will be all right. Macbeth reacts to the murder with much more uncertainty and anxiety whereas Lady Macbeth calmly reacts to the situation with a clear head.
Chisom Oraedu (post 2 cont.):
ReplyDelete4. Who are Macbeth's other victims? Why does he commit more murders?
Macbeth’s other victims besides Duncan are the guards that were stationed outside his chamber. After the murder, he kills them in a fleeting moment of passion. He later reveals his reasoning behind the slayings: “’…I do repent me of my fury, That I did kill them [the guards]…Who could refrain that had a heart to love, and in that heart Courage to make ‘s love known?’” (II.iii.108-119). He claims that he killed them out of love and allegiance to Duncan. In reality, he killed them in order to show his innocence. No one would ever guess that the man who slayed Duncan’s killers would be the true culprit behind the crime. Another reason that he killed the guards was to ensure that they did not reveal him as the true culprit. Even though the guards were knocked out when Macbeth committed the murder, he thinks that they were awake. This was just another one of his hallucinations, however. Despite this, he believes it to be true. He imagines that they woke up in the night: “’…they had seen me with these hangman’s hands’” (II.ii.31). He cannot let the possibility that they saw him killing Duncan get in the way of him gaining the throne, so he kills them. There are various motives behind Macbeth’s murdering of the guards.
5. Considering journal entry number 3, what are some recurring motifs in Act 2?
A recurring motif found throughout Act 2 is the use of the word sleep. Sleep is a very necessary part of everyone’s life. Sleep bathes the mind, replenishing it from its use all day. In sleep, one can go to a place of complete relaxation. There are many benefits reaped during sleep: “’Sleep that knits up the raveled sleave of care, The death of each day’s life, sore labor’s bath, Balm of hurt minds, great nature’s second course, Chief nourisher in life’s feast…’” (II.ii.41-44). While sleeping, one can reach a state of total calm and ease. Sleep is a purely innocent action. Macbeth murders Duncan while he is sleeping, which essentially means that he murders sleep. Macbeth knows the heinous double-murder that he has committed: “’Sleep no more! Macbeth does murder sleep…Glamis hath murdered sleep, and therefore Cawdor Shall sleep no more; Macbeth shall sleep no more,’” (II.ii.39-40). It’s terrible that Macbeth killed the king, and the act is made twice as terrible by the fact that he did it while Duncan was sleeping, totally defenseless against the threat. One is at his or her most vulnerable state while sleeping. The mind is busy healing and replenishing itself from the day’s strains, leaving the body open to danger. Anyone can harm someone during this fragile time, and Macbeth takes advantage of this fact. Sleep is just one of the recurring motifs found in Act 2.
Chisom Oraedu (post 3):
ReplyDelete1. With what words does Banquo reaffirm his loyalty to King Duncan?
I completely agree with Shelley. It is true that Banquo is entirely devoted to serving King Duncan. After he finds out that Duncan has been murdered, he is utterly distraught. He vows to avenge his murder and catch the culprit. Shelley was correct when she said that God is on Banquo’s side. This belief is supported when Banquo says, “’In the great hand of God I stand…’” (II.iii.132). Banquo will do whatever it takes to find out who committed this treason. Shelley’s answer was definitely correct.
2. What lie does Macbeth tell Banquo and why?
I don’t think that Shelley was completely correct when she was talking about the second lie that Macbeth told. He did not directly say the lie to Banquo; he actually said it to Macduff and Lennox. Despite this, it was still a lie; in this aspect, Shelley was correct. When Macbeth utters the line, “’Who could refrain That had a heart to love, and in that heart Courage to make ‘s love known?’” (II.iii.118-120), he is overtly deceiving them. He did not kill the guards out of love for Duncan. Just as Shelley said, he did it so as not to be suspected of committing the murder. Macbeth lies to prevent himself from being caught.
3. How do Macbeth and Lady Macbeth differ in their reactions to the murder?
I agree with Shelley on her response for this question. Macbeth wants to completely erase the terrible crime that has committed, but he cannot. The guilt and remorse that he feels are almost unbearable for him. Macbeth expresses this struggle when he says, “’I am afraid to think what I have done…’” (II.ii.54). Just as Shelley said, Macbeth feels extremely out of character after he commits the murder. It is not something that he would normally do. The constant urgings of his wife for him to be king caused him to kill Duncan.
Shelley is correct when she says that Lady Macbeth is set on making the witches’ prophecy come true. She sees the steps that Macbeth has taken are the right ones to achieve his goal of becoming kings. I don’t agree with Shelley when she says that Lady Macbeth was drunk after the murder. It is true that she was very confident in their plan and had a boldness that made her unafraid. However, when she says the line, “’That which hath made them drunk hath made me bold; What hath quenched them hath given me fire’” (II.ii.1-2), I think that that means that had she been drunk, she would’ve acted with power and fierceness. I don’t believe that she was actually drunk after the murder, though. The guards were, of course, but she just felt very confident in her and her husband’s plan. She must have been smart enough to not drink at such a crucial time in their plan. Another part of Shelley’s response that I agree with is when she says that Lady Macbeth acts strong like a man whereas Macbeth has the demeanor of a woman.
4. Who are Macbeth's other victims? Why does he commit more murders?
Shelley was correct when she says that the men of Duncan’s chamber were Macbeth’s other victims. They definitely are Macbeth’s scapegoats that he plans to frame. Lady Macbeth speaks of this intention: “’…it must seem their guilt’” (II.ii.61). Just as Shelley said, Macbeth commits these murders in order to prevent them from revealing him as the murderer. Certainly if they were still alive with the blood smeared on their faces, they would claim that they did not kill the king. The only way to be certain that they would receive the blame for the murder was to kill them. By killing the servants for supposedly murdering Duncan, Macbeth boosts his chances to become king.
Chisom Oraedu (post 3 cont.):
ReplyDelete5. Considering journal entry number 3, what are some recurring motifs in Act 2?
The recurrence of the word hand is one motif found throughout Act 2. Just as Shelley said, the hands are a crucial part of the body through which many emotions are conveyed; the way in which they move and act influences the plot of the story. For instance, the hands convey the guilt of the crime that Macbeth and Lady Macbeth commit together. Lady Macbeth speaks of her hands: “’My hands are of your color, but I shame To wear a heart so white’” (II.ii.68-69). In this case, her hands and Macbeth’s hands are covered in Duncan’s blood. This shows that they are guilty of committing this crime. I thought that it was very clever how Shelley stated that many of the men were suspicious after Duncan’s death was discovered. They in deed did suspect that some of the men there had a “hand” in it. The word hand is a good example of a recurring motif in Act 2.
Sedale Scullark
ReplyDelete1.Banquo shows loyalty when stating this “Too cruel anywhere. Dear Duff, I prithee, contradict thyself and say it is not so.”(2.3. 90-93).
2. Banquo is showing loyalty in my opinion because he is showing that he didn’t want King Duncan to be dead and that he is sad for his death. As they all mourn his death he doesn’t want to believe that the news that was heard from Macduff is true. Banquo cannot believ what he has heard and is in shock that this is actually true.
3.Banquo also shows his loyalty and dedication to Duncan when he wants to know who killed him. He tries to explore the places to see what may have happened to Duncan. This is shown through this quote “And when we have our naked frailties hid, that suffer in exposure, let us meet And question this most bloody piece of work To know it further. Fears and scruples shake us. In the great hand of God I stand, and thence against the undivulged pretense I fight of treasonous malice” (2.3. 128-134). He is saying that once they are properly dressed the will try to see if they can figure out any more of what happen. But most of them are very scared because of what had just happen to Duncan so Banquo explains that he puts his faith in the hands of god. And will try all he can to fight the actions of what happen to Duncan.
Sedale Scullark
ReplyDeleteWhat lie does Macbeth tell Banquo and why?
1) “I dreamt last night of the three Weird Sisters. To you they have showed some truth” (2.1. 20-21). Macbeth replies “I think not of them”. He is lying because he knows that he wants to be king. He seems to be covering up to show that he is not that interested when really he cares a lot. You would think every person would want to be king. This means he is no different. If Macbeth really was not thinking of being king he would have never even thought of making plans to kill Duncan and become king.
Sedale scullark
ReplyDeleteQuestion 2
2)2) Another instance in which Macbeth lies to Banquo is when he says “Oh, yet I do repent me of my fury, that I did kill them” (2.3.108-109). I believe that he is trying to play off the fact that he has just killed the security guards. He acts as if he did it out of the love for his king
1. In act 2 scene 1 when banquo and Macbeth are having a conversation Banguo says that he has had a dream about the witches. "all's well. I dreamt last night of the three weird sisters. To you they have showed some truth. I think not of them.yet, when we can entreat an hour to serve, we would spend it in some words upon that business, if you would grant the time". In this scene Macbeth tells banquo that he has not thought of the witches when he actually has. He tell banquo that he will never tell anyone about the witches but he immediately tells lady Macbeth. Also in this same conversation Macbeth tells banquo that if he wishes to talk about the witches, that he will be willing to talk later. Deidre
ReplyDelete