![macbeth act 2 scene 2 macbeth act 2 scene 2](https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/988e0e82-44b9-4bd8-bda6-f36da365dc03_1.03ba557d33498febd3b6c507443a94e8.jpeg)
His mind is been working on the planning the murder for so long that even when Macbeth is awake he sees the dagger pointing to Duncan. In act II sc I in the play Macbeth the floating dagger represents Macbeth’s desire of killing Duncan.
![macbeth act 2 scene 2 macbeth act 2 scene 2](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/8iuT7CtSOZ4/maxresdefault.jpg)
Glossary husbandry in heaven (4) the gods are economical with their starlight cleave to my consent (25) approve of my plan augment (27) support dudgeon (46) handle gouts (46) drops Hecate (52) goddess of witchcraft Tarquin (46) murderous king of Rome prate (58) prattle What we say and what we do are frequently very different matters.īut in the final couplet, Macbeth seems to transfer his own doubts concerning the afterlife to Duncan: Whether the king will go to heaven or hell is now an academic matter ironically, for Macbeth himself, the outcome is likely to be more certain. The distinction between word and deed in the last line is an idea that occurs frequently in Shakespeare. The change of tone to one of high rhetoric and classical allusion (Hecate, Tarquin) may seem out of place, but not if we imagine Macbeth putting on a “mask” of language in preparation for the murder.
![macbeth act 2 scene 2 macbeth act 2 scene 2](https://image2.slideserve.com/3615120/act-1-scene-2-l.jpg)
In his final lines, as he ascends to the king’s chamber, he imagines himself as the personification of Murder itself, stealthily making its way towards its victim. The urge to become king is now strong in him. ” Nevertheless, as in the earlier scene with his wife, Macbeth eventually capitulates. sensible to feeling? ” “Mine eyes are made the fools of the other senses,” and “It is the bloody business which informs thus to mine eyes. I see thee still! ” Between each of these alarms comes a moment of respite in which Macbeth appeals to the world of the physical senses: “Art thou not. There are three false alarms: “I see thee still.
![macbeth act 2 scene 2 macbeth act 2 scene 2](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/dVx628dCcwA/hqdefault.jpg)
The structure of the lines precisely echoes the swings from lucidity to mental disturbance that characterize Macbeth throughout the play. Like “If it were done” (Act I, Scene 7), this soliloquy is a fascinating piece of stage psychology. The dagger speech (32-65) is, deservedly, one of the most celebrated in Shakespeare. The moment at which Banquo so very nearly draws his sword on a potential intruder (actually Macbeth) is a master-stroke of dramatic irony: Banquo has no idea of what the audience knows. In this opening scene of Act II, as in the later Porter scene, the audience feels momentarily suspended from the action but in no way removed from the intensity of emotion as the innocent Banquo and his son pass the time of night. Symbolically, the airy lightness that greeted Duncan’s arrival at the castle in Act I has completely vanished, to be replaced by brooding darkness. Analysis The opening dialogue sets the scene: It is past midnight, the moon has set, and the “candles” of heaven - the stars - cannot be seen. Either in the heat of the moment or through some supernatural visitation, he sees a ghostly dagger indicating the way to the Duncan.Ĭonvinced that “there’s no such thing,” he climbs to the king’s chamber. No sooner is Macbeth alone, than he has an extraordinary experience. After arranging to meet again in order to discuss the matter, Banquo asserts his allegiance to the king and bids good night to Macbeth. Banquo has been unable to sleep and explains to Macbeth that he has been dreaming of the weird sisters. As Macbeth makes his way toward the king’s bedchamber, he encounters Banquo with his son Fleance.