Macbeth Act 2 – Flashcards
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What was Macbeth's lie to Banquo about the witches' predictions?
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He said he doesn't even think about them.
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What was the signal Lady Macbeth gave Macbeth to let him know that she has taken care of the guards?
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She would ring a bell.
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What excuse did Lady Macbeth give for not killing Duncan herself?
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He looked like her father sleeping there.
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After Macbeth killed Duncan, he went to Lady Macbeth and was concerned about not being able to say "Amen." What was her advice to him?
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She told him not to think about it too much, or it would make them crazy. Notice that she does later, in fact, go mad and commit suicide.
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Then, Macbeth is worried about hearing a voice saying, "Macbeth does murder sleep." What did Lady Macbeth then tell him to do?
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She told him to go get some water and wash "this filthy witness" from his hands. In other words, get cleaned up and forget about it.
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Why didn't Macbeth take the daggers back to the scene of the crime?
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He couldn't bear to look at Duncan again.
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Who was knocking?
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Macduff and Lennox were knocking at the gate.
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What three things does drinking provoke?
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It provokes "nose-painting, sleep, and urine."
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How did Lennox describe the night, and what was Macbeth's response?
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Lennox went through a great description of the terrible night, saying it predicted terrible, confusing times ahead. Macbeth brushed it off by saying it was a "rough night."
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What did Macduff discover?
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Macduff discovered Duncan's body.
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Macduff says, "Oh, gentle lady, 'Tis not for you to hear what I can speak. The repetition, in a woman's ear, Would murder as it fell." What is ironic about this?
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Lady Macbeth was determining force in the death of Duncan. She is no "lady."
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What excuse or explanation did Macbeth give for killing the guards? What was his real reason?
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He did it out of pain and rage, but he actually wanted to be rid of any possible witnesses to the murder.
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Why did Malcolm and Donalbain leave?
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They feared that the king's murderer will be after them, too.
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Why did Ross not believe Malcolm and Donalbain were responsible for Duncan's murder?
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He said it is against nature -- both their personal natures and nature as the ruling force in the universe.
