Based on Malcolm’s and Donalbain’s remarks at the end of The Tragedy of Macbeth, Act II, Scene iii, what seems to be their reason for leaving Scotland? How do their actions play into the hands of Macbeth? Indicate which remarks led you to your conclusions.
Malcolm and Donalbain leave because they fear for their safety and suspect that people around them may be dangerous. Donalbain’s remark, “There’s daggers in men’s smiles,” and his warning that those “near in blood” are “nearer bloody” show his distrust. Malcolm says he will go to England, and Donalbain says he will go to Ireland so they can be safer apart. Their flight makes them look suspicious and leaves Scotland without its rightful heirs, helping Macbeth take the throne and reducing the opposition to his rule.
According to Lady Macbeth, why doesn’t she kill Duncan herself? Indicate which lines in The Tragedy of Macbeth, Act II, pointed you toward your answer.
Lady Macbeth says she could not kill Duncan because he resembled her father while he was asleep. In Act II, Scene ii, she says, “Had he not resembled / My father as he slept, I had done’t.”
Consider the incident in The Tragedy of Macbeth, Act II, Scene ii, lines 34–42, where Macbeth hears the words, “Sleep no more! Macbeth does murder sleep.” In what sense might Macbeth have murdered sleep?
Macbeth has murdered Duncan while he slept, but the phrase also means that Macbeth has destroyed his own ability to sleep peacefully. His guilt and fear after the murder rob him of rest and innocence. By killing a sleeping king, Macbeth has brought sleeplessness and torment upon himself.
In The Tragedy of Macbeth, Act II, by killing Duncan, what does Macbeth most clearly seek to augment? Explain your answer.a. richesb. powerc. his family’s safetyd. God’s wrath
b. power. Macbeth kills Duncan to take the crown and become king, increasing his political power and authority.
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