Scene 2
We do not see Duncan`s murder but we are left to imagine it. Owl screeching = the time Duncan is dead. Lady Macbeth is drinking alcohol to calm herself down and moves away from guilt. She is boasting how well she has drugged them. Lady Macbeth did not kill Duncan because he resembles her father asleep (strange reason), therefore Macbeth does the kill. Macbeth becomes obsessed with noises, and is worried about getting caught. He heard:
- One son laughs in sleep the other cries murder
- One says ‘God bless us’ and the other one cries ‘Amen.’ Macbeth was so condemned that with the words “God bless us” he did not say “Amen.”
- He heard a voice telling him Macbeth has killed sleep= true. His conscience is full of guilt. Macbeth will never sleep peacefully again even Scotland as Macbeth becomes King and Scotland won`t do well under him.
Macbeth already regrets for killing Duncan. His hands full of blood = guilt. Lady Macbeth tells macbeth not to worry but this is ironic as she is the one who goes crazy. Lady Macbeth then tells Macbeth to go “get some water and wash this filthy witness from his hand” as “a little water clears us of this deed.” After the kill stupid Macbeth gets the daggers with him and refusees to take them back, showing his extreme guilt. For not taking the dagger Lady Macbeth calls him a ‘coward’ and is manipulating him.
Soliloquoy of Macbeth! - Macbeth hears knocking. He asks himself if the seas wash his dirty hands, in reality wondering if anything can see his conscience. He admits that he will be forever guilty. Lady Macbeth arrives and tell Macbeth that she is not feeling guilty. Macbeth again regrets this crime.
Scene 3
Portar goes to open the door, eventhough he is drunk because of the celebrations of Duncan. This scene provides a pause from the action and gets us keen to see whats at the door.
Macduff and Lennox were at the door. Porter gives Macduff a riddle that alcohol gives you a red nose, sleep and urine. Macbeth pretends not to know that Duncan has died. The night before Duncan told Macduff to wake him up. Whilst he goes to wake him up Macbeth and Lennox talk about the weather. Lennox says that the night was rough, storms and earthquake happened. When Jesus dies (storm+earthquake) and even when Duncan died so did that happen, therefore one can say that Duncan was innocent and good. (Theme: Natural opposed to the natural)
Macbeth seems to be handling things well however his first mistake is to declare that he killed Duncan`s guards, beacuse it seemes that they killed Duncan. At this moment Lady Macbeth feints to draw away the attention from Macbeth as Macbeth was saying rubbish (guilty). (Lady Macbeth as a saviour) Malcolm and Donalbain are scared that they are going to be killed and they run away as there is no time for mouring Duncan`s death.
Banquo and nobles meet to discuss murder. All the nobles want to find who killed Duncan and want to pledge their loyalty to Duncan. Malcolm and Donalbain meet again to see where they are going as “there`s daggers in men`s smiles.” The 2 sons are not fooled, like father, showing how smart they are but with them running to another place keeps everybody suspicious.
Scene 4
In this scene we also have a pause in action but helps us progress. This scene is important for the theme “Natural vs the Unutural”
Most unutural thing is the death of King. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth broke the Great Chain of Being and disturbs the natural orders of things. It is as if natural encironment reflects what happens to humans; storm and earthquake.
Natural things are Banquo`s loyalty. (Pathetic Vallacy – Weather matching mood) We also meet an old man, but through this man we understand how the Scottish are looking at the situation of Duncan. Old man has never seen a bad night like this. Beacuse:
- An owl killed a falcon like Macbeth killed the King
- Although day time it is dark (Pathetic vallacy)
- Horses eat eachother. Horses = nobles disaggreing.
Everybody believes that the guards killed Duncan, they were bribed. Malcolm and Donalbain are suspected that they have bribed them. (Nobles thought) Macbeth is King and is going to be crowned – Macduff`s coronation.