4.files.edl.io · Web viewDead and sleeping people cannot hurt you any more than pictures can." Explanation: When Lady Macbeth says “Infirm of purpose” she actually suggests that

Name: Date:Mr. Lemos English

Macbeth Act 2

Comprehension and Analysis Questions

Act 2 Scene 1

1. What lie does Macbeth tell Banquo?

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2. Why is Banquo’s reaction to the witches’ prophecies so different from that of Macbeth?

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Act 2 Scene 2

1. Why is Macbeth unable to say “Amen?”____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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2. Macbeth imagines that a voice speaks to him. How does Macbeth interpret this message?____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________3. Why must Lady Macbeth return the bloody daggers to Duncan’s chambers?____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Act 2 Scene 3

1. Who are Macbeth’s second and third victims? What reason does he give for killing them?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Why does Lady Macbeth faint? Explain your answer.

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3. Why do Malcolm and Donalbain secretly leave Macbeth’s castle? Explain why._____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Act 2 Scene 41. Why are Malcolm and Donalbain suspects in the murder of King Duncan?____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________

Important Quotes and Explanations

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"I am afraid to think what I have done. Look on [King Duncan’s bloody body] again I dare not."

Explanation: Macbeth is too afraid to see King Duncan’s dead body.

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"Infirm of purpose! Dead and sleeping people cannot hurt you any more than pictures can."

Explanation: When Lady Macbeth says “Infirm of purpose” she actually suggests that Macbeth is a coward. Macbeth is too afraid of the dead body (Duncan) because Macbeth feels guilty and ashamed.

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“Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood clean from my hand? No, this my hand will rather the multitudinous seas incarnadine, making the green one red.”

Who said it?

Macbeth says this to himself.

What does it mean?

This quote is an expression. Macbeth says there isn’t enough water in the world to wash his hands. That is impossible! He actually means that he feels so guilty for the murder that he will never act like his normal self. Nothing will ever make him happy or make him feel calm. He is changed forever.

Short Response:

“Stars, hide your fires: Let not lights see my black and deep desires”

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Who said it?

Macbeth says this to himself.

What does it mean?

Macbeth actually means that he will lie to other people. He wants to kill Duncan and he has to be sneaky if he does not want to be caught. This quote shows that Macbeth is responsible for the crime.______________________________________________

“Fair is foul and foul is fair”

Who said it?

The witches say this to each other. They cast a spell.

What does it mean?

The word fair means good or beautiful. The word foul means bad or ugly. The witches actually mean that they will lie to others in the story. They will trick Macbeth so that he makes the wrong decisions.

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