Analyze the ‘dagger speech’ in Act 2, Scene 1 beginning at line 41 and going until the end of the scene. How does it illustrate the guilt Macbeth is feeling?
The “dagger speech” expresses Macbeth’s hesitancy and guilt. Macbeth questions whether or not the dagger is actually in front of him. He states that it can be a “dagger of the mind, a false creation/ proceeding from the heat oppressed brain.” (2.1.46-47) This indicates Macbeth’s hesitancy as he is aware that his feverish or “heat-oppressed” brain might be misleading him. This line also depicts Macbeth’s guilt. He is confronted with an image of the same weapon that he will use to kill King Duncan. Hesitation is also evident when Macbeth states that his “eyes are made the fools o’ th’ other senses/ or else worth all the rest. (2.1.45) Macbeth is saying that his eyesight must either be the one sense that’s not working, or else it’s the only one that’s working right. This line portrayed hesitation as Macbeth begins to doubt his eyesight and his sanity. Macbeth’s guilt manifests in the hallucination of a dagger. As he continues to hallucinate, the “dagger of the mind” begins to drip with blood, a symbol of guilt. Despite his guilt and hesitation, Macbeth proceeds to Duncan’s room to murder him:
“I go, and it is done. The bell invites me.” (2.1.70)
Analyze Lady Macbeth using her line from Act 2, Scene 2. What does her dialogue say about her character?
Lady Macbeth can be characterized as an evil, bold, and fearless character in the play. She states that “had he not resembled my father as he slept, I had done ’t. (2.2.14-15). This line indicates Lady Macbeth’s aggressiveness and how easily she can commit evil. She shows no pity for Duncan and tells Macbeth that “its a foolish thought, to say a sorry sight.” (2.2.28) This shows Lady Macbeth’s lack of sympathy as she insists Macbeth to not “consider it so deeply” (2.2.38). She shows her boldness and fearless self when she takes the daggers herself so she can place them with the servants. She then proceeds to tell Macbeth that her “hands are of his color, but I shame to wear a heart so white” (2.2.65). Lady Macbeth is indicating that Macbeth has a weak and fragile heart and that she would be ashamed to “wear” a heart so pure. This shows her villainous and malicious side.
Use the Porter scene in Act 2, Scene 3 to explain the role off comic relief in a play. Why is the seem supposed to be funny?
A porter stumbles through the hallway to answer the knocking, grumbling comically about the noise and mocking whoever is on the other side of the door. He compares himself to a porter at the gates of hell and asks, “Who’s there, i’ th’ name of Beelzebub?” (2.3.3). Comic relief is necessary because it lessens the tension of a scene in the play and provides some entertainment in moments of stress, tension, and distress. This was especially common during the Elizabethan Era.
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