Act 2 begins with Macbeth's famous soliloquy in which he hallucinates a dagger leading him towards Duncan's chamber. This moment is crucial as it shows Macbeth's inner turmoil and foreshadows his descent into madness. He questions: "Is this a dagger which I see before me, / The handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee." This line reveals his inner conflict and the influence of his ambition and guilt.
Definitions
Tragic Hero
A character who makes a judgment error that inevitably leads to their own destruction.
Soliloquy
A speech given by a character alone on stage, used to reveal their thoughts to the audience.
Dramatic Irony
When the audience knows something that the characters do not.
The Dagger Soliloquy
The Murder of King Duncan
In Act 2, Scene 2, Macbeth commits the crime that will lead to his downfall. After murdering Duncan, he is immediately filled with remorse and paranoia. He states: "Methought I heard a voice cry, 'Sleep no more! / Macbeth does murder sleep.'" This line signifies Macbeth's realization of the unnatural act he has committed and its consequences.
Lady Macbeth's Role
Lady Macbeth plays a crucial role in Act 2 by manipulating Macbeth to go through with the murder. Her determination is encapsulated in the line: "A little water clears us of this deed." This suggests her initial belief in their ability to wash away their guilt, contrasting sharply with Macbeth's tormented state.
Discovering Duncan's Body
The discovery of Duncan's body is a pivotal moment in Act 2. Macbeth attempts to cover his tracks by killing the guards he had framed. He proclaims: "Who could refrain, / That had a heart to love, and in that heart / Courage to make's love known?" This showcases Macbeth's manipulative nature and his ability to act beyond moral constraints.
Porter's Scene
The Porter's scene offers comic relief through dark humor. Serving as dramatic irony, the Porter imagines being the gatekeeper of hell, inadvertently echoing the moral corruption within Macbeth's castle. This provides a stark contrast to the preceding events and underscores the theme of hellish guilt.
To remember :
Act 2 of 'Macbeth' is defined by Macbeth's psychological unraveling, influenced by his ambition and his wife's provocations. Key moments include the Dagger Soliloquy symbolizing inner conflict, Duncan's murder highlighting Macbeth's remorse, and his manipulative actions after the discovery. Lady Macbeth's cold pragmatism contrasts with Macbeth's guilt. The Porter's scene, a blend of comic relief and dramatic irony, accentuates the moral decay following Duncan's murder. This act foreshadows the tragic events that ensue as Macbeth further descends into paranoia and tyranny.
