Act II Scene II revolves around the main incident of the killing of King Duncan. This is a very dramatic point of the play for many reasons. Firstly because of ‘The Divine Right Of Kings’ and that by killing the King, Macbeth was committing an act of blasphemy. Also the psychological effects the event has on all the characters involved.
Short sentences are used throughout the Scene to create a feeling of tension and anxiety in the conversational exchanges between characters, e.g. (Lines 23-27)
Macbeth : When?
Lady Macbeth : Now.
Macbeth : As I descended?
Lady Macbeth : Ay.
Macbeth : Hark!
This exchange between Macbeth and his wife is a prime example of how Shakespeare has used short sentences. In the scene, they are used to show tension and the jerkiness of conversations, making it seem as if Shakespeare wants us to see the character as if they are on edge or in a very nervous state.
Another technique Shakespeare uses to show tension and anxiety is through the introduction of many questions and exclamations. Examples of this are “Murder!” (line 23), “When?” (line 23), “As I descended?” (line 25) and “Hark!” (line 27).
Throughout the Scene references are made to ‘Blood’, ‘Death’, ‘Murder’ and ‘Sleep’. These allow Shakespeare to show exactly the significance of what each of the characters has done, through the language that they use. ‘Sleep’ was very important to people in this time that Macbeth was written. They believed that people who could not sleep were evil and had something on their conscience, an example of this is “Sleep no more!, Macbeth does murder sleep” (line 35). In the conversations between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in the time shortly after they have killed King Duncan, many references are made in their speech to ‘Murder’ and ‘Blood’. This illustrates how much of an effect their evil deed has had upon them, leaving them in a frightened and guilty state.. This use of violence related language is very effective for Shakespeare to focus the play upon its main incident, the killing of King Duncan.
Throughout Act Two Scene Two Shakespeare adds tension by making the characters seem to have hallucinations, talk to themselves and hear noises that are not there. Examples of this are; “Didst though hear a noise?” (line 15) and “Methought I heard a voice cry” (line 35). These give the suggestion of the characters involved being nervous or on edge, listening for every little noise. This adds greatly to the tension in the play, showing the characters true feelings of guilt since the deed.
After Act Two Scene Two Shakespeare adds to the tension of the killing of King Duncan by describing how Scotland also seems to be in a state of turmoil. This is shown through Ross’ speech where he describes the appalling state of Scotland during Macbeth’s reign, “That darkness does the face of earth entomb” (Act 2, Scene 4, line 9). This adds to the significance of the events that occur in Act Two Scene Two. The fact that Scotland seems to be in a chaotic state could be traced back to its origin, Macbeth, suggesting he is the source of the problem in Scotland.
The appearance of the witches in the play as a whole, although not in Act II, Scene II adds tension because of the supernatural elements they introduce to the scene. They may also have been quite frightening to those who viewed the play at the time because they the believed in witchcraft. The witches give Macbeth the idea of killing King Duncan because they put him under the impression he cannot be killed. Possibly if he had never believed this he would not have taken the actions that he did. With Macbeth being involved with the witches, who are viewed as an evil force, its makes him come across as evil, because of his connection with them.
Through the entire scene the language used by Shakespeare build upon the feelings of each of the characters and their strong feeling of guilt. Shakespeare effectively shows how each of the characters are affected and traumatized by the killing of Duncan through the many dramatic effects he uses. Overall, the scene is very effective in showing the tension and importance of the killing of King Duncan.
