Macbeth Act II Quiz

11.4.17

Act II quiz:
1. In your opinion, is Lady Macbeth a cold-blooded murderer? Why or why not?2. Lady Macbeth has her own antics throughout the play. Why does Lady Macbeth faint in Act II? Does it serve its purpose? Explain.3. How does Macbeth's attitude toward Duncan change after the murder?4. If so pressuring on Macbeth, why didn't Lady Macbeth kill the king instead of Macbeth?5. Now that Macbeth has killed the king, do you think he must do anything else to reign as king? Explain your answer.Part II:​
For numbers 1-4 provides textual evidence (direct quotes) to support your answers. At least two quotes per answer.
  1. I think Lady Macbeth isn’t necessarily a cold-blooded murderer, but rather, the backbone and aid to the murder of King Duncan. She provoked, suggested, and premeditated the murder of Duncan while Macbeth was the one who acted upon it pretty blindly. Lady Macbeth, being the dominating spouse, is the brain to the two’s relationship. In a technical sense, Macbeth is the murderer. Morally, Lady Macbeth is the murderer.
    1.        Infirm of purpose!
Give me the daggers: the sleeping and the dead
Are but as pictures: ‘tis the eye of childhood
That fears a painted devil. If he do bleed,
I’ll gild the faces of the grooms withal
For it must seem their guilt.
(Macbeth 2.2.53-53)

    1. My hands are of your colour; but I shame / To wear a heart so white.(Macbeth 2.2.64-65)
  1. Lady Macbeth faints in Act II on purpose in order to further persuade everyone’s subconscious of how “astounded” she was of what had just occurred, even though she knew and planned the murder of Duncan. It does serve it’s purpose since at the end of the play, Lady Macbeth was never really even considered to be a suspect by Macduff and Ross.
    1. Are stol’n away and fled, which puts upon them / Suspicion of the deed. (Macbeth 2.4.26-27)
    2. Look to the lady.(Macbeth 2.3.140)
  2. After murdering Duncan, Macbeth was regarded by Lady Macbeth as a “coward”. Macbeth didn’t act dominant and proud of what he had just done. Instead, he instantly felt ashamed to have killed his king, the person he had served so valiantly (as many say of him). At first, Macbeth was wanting to get over it, despite having some internal doubts. Now that he committed murder of his king, he is overcome with immense guilt.
    1. ‘Glamis hath murdered sleep, and therefore Cawdor / Shall sleep no more: Macbeth shall sleep no more!(Macbeth 2.2.42-43)
    2. I’ll go no more: / I am afraid to think what I have done; / Look on’t again I dare not. (Macbeth 2.2.51-53)
  3. Lady Macbeth made a remark about Duncan, explaining why she wouldn’t kill him--he resembled that of her father. Thus, it would likely have pained her to commit murder, even though he isn’t her father. In addition, Macbeth is a war hero; with strength, stealth, and capability, in the physical aspect. It would make sense for him to take on the heavy lifting, while Lady Macbeth whispers in his ear.
    1. He could not miss ‘em. Had he not resembled / My father as he slept, I had done’t. (Macbeth 2.2.12-13)
    2. These deeds must not be thought / After these ways; so, it’ will make us mad. (Macbeth 2.2.32-33)
  4. As it was explained by Macduff at the end of the act, Macbeth had already been chosen and was partaking in the coronation ceremony for royalty (specifically the king, as it is the position in which Macbeth must replace). I think that although he doesn’t need to really do it since he basically has claimed the throne, ultimately honoring and covering up his murder to it’s fullest extent should be his first action as king. In addition, Macbeth took on such an important position in his society in the political aspect, and thus, he must learn very quickly about what exactly he needs to do to show that he is worthy of his position and as Duncan’s “successor”.

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