Macbeth: Act 2

How goes the night, boy?

The moon is down; I have not heard the clock.

And she goes down at twelve.

I take't, 'tis later, sir.

Hold, take my sword. There's husbandry in heavenDefinitionthrift / economy; the heavens are being frugal with their light;

Their candles are all out. Take thee that too.

A heavy summonsDefinitiona strong urge to sleep lies like lead upon me,

And yet I would not sleep: merciful powers,

Restrain in me the cursed thoughts that nature

Gives way to in reposeDefinitionallows to enter during sleep or rest!

Give me my sword. Who's there?

A friend.

What, sir, not yet at rest? The king's a-bed:

He hath been in unusual pleasure, and

Sent forth great largess to your offices.

This diamond he greets your wife withal,

By the name of most kind hostess; and shut up

In measureless content.

Being unprepared,

Our will became the servant to defect;

Which else should free have wroughtDefinitionwhich would have otherwise been done freely.

All's well.

I dreamt last night of the three weird sisters:

To you they have show'd some truth.

I think not of them:

Yet, when we can entreat an hour to serve,

We would spend it in some words upon that businessDefinitionwould like to talk more about the witches' prophecies,

If you would grant the time.

At your kind'st leisure.

If you shall cleave to my consentDefinitionsupport my position / side with me, when 'tis,

It shall make honour for you.

So I lose noneDefinitionprovided I do not lose any honor

In seeking to augment it, but still keep

My bosom franchised and allegiance clearDefinitionheart free of guilt and loyalty to the King pure,

I shall be counsell'd.

Good repose the while!

Thanks, sir: the like to you!

Go bid thy mistress, when my drink is ready,

She strike upon the bell. Get thee to bed.

Is this a dagger which I see before meKey SoliloquyMacbeth hallucinates a dagger leading him to Duncan. It represents his guilt and the supernatural forces urging him on.,

The handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee.

I have thee not, and yet I see thee still.

Art thou not, fatal visionDefinitiona hallucination sent by fate or a deadly omen, sensible

To feeling as to sight? or art thou but

A dagger of the mind, a false creation,

Proceeding from the heat-oppressed brainDefinitiona brain fevered or stressed by intense anxiety?

I see thee yet, in form as palpableDefinitiontangible; able to be touched or felt

As this which now I draw.

Thou marshall'st me the way that I was goingDefinitionyou are guiding me toward the path I intended to take;

And such an instrument I was to use.

Mine eyes are made the fools o' the other senses,

Or else worth all the rest; I see thee still,

And on thy blade and dudgeonDefinitionthe blade and the handle/hilt goutsDefinitionlarge drops or splashes of blood,

Which was not so before. There's no such thing:

It is the bloody businessDefinitionthe act of murder which informs

Thus to mine eyes. Now o'er the one halfworldDefinitionthe hemisphere of the earth currently in darkness

Nature seems dead, and wicked dreams abuseDefinitionthe natural world is asleep, and nightmares deceive the mind

The curtain'd sleepDefinitionsleep protected by bed-curtains; witchcraft celebrates

Pale Hecate's offerings, and wither'd murder,

Alarum'd by his sentinel, the wolf,

Whose howl's his watch, thus with his stealthy pace.

With Tarquin's ravishing stridesDefinitionwith the stealthy, predatory steps of a Roman tyrant, towards his design

Moves like a ghost. Thou sure and firm-set earth,

Hear not my steps, which way they walk, for fear

Thy very stones prate of my whereaboutDefinitionthe stones might chatter or reveal my location,

And take the present horror from the time,

Which now suits with it. Whiles I threatDefinitiontalk about or promise the deed, he lives:

Words to the heat of deeds too cold breath givesDefinitiontalking cools down the courage needed for action.

I go, and it is done; the bell invites me.

Hear it not, Duncan; for it is a knellDefinitionfuneral bell

That summons thee to heaven or to hell.

That which hath made them drunk hath made me bold;

It was the owl that shriek'd, the fatal bellmanDefinitionthe owl (as an omen of death),

Which gives the stern'st good-nightDefinitionproviding the final, grimmest farewell. He is about it:

surfeited groomsDefinitionover-fed and drunken servants

Do mock their charge with snores: I have drugg'd their possetsDefinitionwarm drinks made of milk and ale,

That death and nature do contend about them,

Whether they live or die.

[Within] Who's there? what, ho!

AlackDefinitionan exclamation of grief or fear, I am afraid they have awaked,

And 'tis not done. The attempt and not the deed

Confounds us. Hark! I laid their daggers ready;

He could not miss 'em. Had he not resembled

My father as he slept, I had done't.

My husband!

I have done the deed. Didst thou not hear a noise?

I heard the owl scream and the crickets cry.

Did not you speak?

When?

Now.

As I descended?

Ay.

Hark! Who lies i' the second chamber?

Donalbain.

sorry sightDefinitiona miserable or pitiful sight.

A foolish thought, to say a sorry sight.

There's one did laugh in's sleep, and one cried 'Murder!'

That they did wake each other: I stood and heard them:

But they did say their prayers, and address'd them

Again to sleep.

There are two lodged together.

One cried 'God bless us!' and 'Amen' the other;

As they had seen me with these hangman's hands.

Listening their fear, I could not say 'Amen,'

When they did say 'God bless us!'

Consider it not so deeply.

But whereforeDefinitionfor what reason / why could not I pronounce 'Amen'?

I had most need of blessing, and 'Amen'

Stuck in my throat.

These deeds must not be thought

After these ways; so, it will make us mad.

Methought I heard a voice cry 'Sleep no more!Thematic AnalysisSleep represents innocence and peace. By killing the sleeping King, Macbeth has destroyed his own peace of mind forever.

Macbeth does murder sleepDefinitionMacbeth has destroyed his own peace of mind forever, the innocent sleep,

ravell'd sleeve of careDefinitionthe frayed or tangled edge of anxiety,

sore labour's bathDefinitionthe healing rest for those who work hard,

Balm of hurt mindsDefinitionhealing ointment for troubled minds, great nature's second course,

Chief nourisher in life's feastDefinitionthe most essential sustaining force of life,-- Lady Macbeth

What do you mean?

Macbeth

Still it cried 'Sleep no more!' to all the house:

'Glamis hath murder'd sleep, and therefore Cawdor

Shall sleep no more; Macbeth shall sleep no more.'

Lady Macbeth

Who was it that thus cried? Why, worthy thane,

You do unbend your noble strengthDefinitionweaken or relax your mental fortitude,

So brainsicklyDefinitionmadly or morbidly of things. Go get some water,

And wash this filthy witness from your hand.

Why did you bring these daggers from the place?

They must lie there: go carry them; and smear

The sleepy grooms with blood.

Macbeth

I'll go no more:

I am afraid to think what I have done;

Look on't again I dare not.

Lady Macbeth

Infirm of purposeDefinitionweak-willed / lacking resolution!

Give me the daggers: the sleeping and the dead

Are but as picturesDefinitionare merely images, incapable of harm:

That fears a painted devil. If he do bleed,

I'll gild the faces of the grooms withalDefinitionwith it / in addition,

For it must seem their guilt.

Exit. Knocking within.

Macbeth

Whence is that knocking?

How is't with me, when every noise appals me?

What hands are here? ha! they pluck out mine eyes.

Will all great Neptune's oceanDefinitionthe vast Roman god of the sea's waters wash this blood

Clean from my hand? No, this my hand will rather

The multitudinous seas incarnadineDefinitionturn blood-red,

Making the green one red.Definitionturning the green ocean entirely red

Re-enter LADY MACBETH.

Lady Macbeth

My hands are of your colour; but I shame

To wear a heart so white. [Knocking within] I hear a knocking

At the south entry: retire we to our chamber;

A little water clears us of this deed:

How easy is it, then! Your constancy

Hath left you unattended.Definitionhas abandoned you / you have lost your firmness

Hark! more knocking.

Get on your nightgown, lest occasion call us,

And show us to be watchers. Be not lost

So poorly in your thoughts.

Macbeth

To know my deed, 'twere best not know myself. [Knocking within]

Wake Duncan with thy knocking! I would thou couldst!

Exeunt.

Scene 3

Enter a Porter. Knocking within.

Porter

Here's a knocking indeed! If a man were porter of

hell-gate, he should have old turning the key.Definitionhe would grow old from turning the key so often

Knock, knock, knock! Who's there,

i' the name of Beelzebub?Definitionthe prince of devils Here's a farmer,

that hanged himself on the expectation of plenty:Definitionexpecting a harvest surplus that would lower grain prices

come in time; have napkins enow about you;Definitionenough handkerchiefs (to wipe sweat)

here you'll sweat for't.

Knock, knock! Who's there, in the

other devil's name? Faith, here's an equivocator,Definitionone who speaks ambiguously to deceive

that could swear in both the scales against either scale;Definitionto swear on both sides of an argument

who committed treason enough for God's sake,Definitionhistorical reference to Jesuit plots against the crown

yet could not equivocate to heaven: O, come in,

equivocator. Knock, knock, knock!

Who's there? Faith, here's an English tailor come

hither, for stealing out of a French hose: come in,

tailor; here you may roast your goose.

Knock, knock; never at quiet! What are

you? But this place is too cold for hell. I'll

devil-porter it no further: I had thought to have

let in some of all professions that go the primrose way to the everlasting bonfire.Definitiontake the easy, pleasurable path to hell

Anon, anon! I pray you, remember the porter.

Opens the gate. Enter MACDUFF and LENNOX.

Was it so late, friend, ere you went to bed,

That you do lie so late?

'Faith sir, we were carousingDefinitiondrinking heavily and partying till the

second cock:Definitionroughly 3:00 AM (second rooster crow)

and drink, sir, is a great provoker of three things.Definitiondrinking causes three specific physiological effects Macduff

What three things does drink especially provoke?

Porter

Marry sir,Definitionby the Virgin Mary (a common mild oath)

nose-painting,Definitionreddening of the nose from drinking sleep, and urine.

Lechery,Definitionsexual desire sir, it provokes, and unprovokes;

takes away the performance:Definitionimpairs the ability to act on sexual desire

therefore, much drink may be said to be

an equivocator with lechery: it makes him, and it

mars him; it sets him on, and it takes him off;

persuades him, and disheartens him; makes him stand

to, and not stand to; in conclusion, equivocates him

in a sleep, and, giving him the lie, leaves him.

Macduff

I believe drink gave thee the lie last night.

Porter

That it did, sir, i' the very throat on me: but I

requitedDefinitionrepaid or revenged him for his lie;

being too strong for him, though he took up my

legs sometime, yet I made a shift to cast him.DefinitionI managed to vomit him (drink) out Macduff

Is thy master stirring?

Enter MACBETH.

Our knocking has awaked him; here he comes.

Lennox

Good morrow, noble sir.

Macbeth

Good morrow, both.

Macduff

Is the king stirring, worthy thane?

Macbeth

Not yet.

Macduff

call timely on him:Definitioncall on him early

I have almost slipp'd the hour.DefinitionI have nearly missed the appointed time Macbeth

I'll bring you to him.

Macduff

I know this is a joyful troubleDefinitiona pleasant but taxing task (oxymoron)

to you; But yet 'tis one.

Macbeth

The labour we delight in physics pain.

This is the door.

Macduff

I'll make so bold to call,

For 'tis my limited service.Definitionit is my specifically assigned duty

Exit MACDUFF.

Lennox

Goes the king henceDefinitionfrom here to-day?

Macbeth

He does: he did appoint so.

Lennox

The night has been unruly: where we lay,

Our chimneys were blown down;Definitionhigh winds destroyed the chimney structures

and, as they say, LamentingsDefinitionwailing or expressions of grief

heard i' the air; strange screams of death,

And prophesying with accents terrible

Of dire combustion and confused events

New hatch'dDefinitionrecently born or created to the woeful time:

the obscure bird Clamour'd the livelong night:Definitionthe owl cried out all night long

some say, the earth Was feverous and did shake.

Macbeth

'Twas a rough night.

Lennox

My young remembrance cannot parallel

A fellow to it.

Re-enter MACDUFF.

O horror, horror, horror! Tongue nor heart

Cannot conceive nor name thee!

Macbeth & Lennox

What's the matter?

Macduff

Confusion now hath made his masterpiece!

Most sacrilegious murder hath broke ope

The Lord's anointed temple,Definitionthe King's body (alluding to the Divine Right)

and stole thence The life o' the building!

Macbeth

What is 't you say? the life?

Lennox

Mean you his majesty?

Macduff

Approach the chamber, and destroy your sight

With a new Gorgon:Definitiona sight so horrifying it turns the viewer to stone (like Medusa)

do not bid me speak; See, and then speak yourselves.

Exeunt MACBETH and LENNOX.

Awake, awake! Ring the alarum-bell.

Murder and treason! Banquo and Donalbain!

Malcolm! awake! Shake off this downy sleep,Definitionsoft, feather-like sleep

death's counterfeit,Definitionsleep as an imitation of death, And look on death itself!

up, up, and see The great doom's image!Definitiona vision of the Day of Judgment

Malcolm! Banquo! As from your graves rise up,

and walk like sprites,Definitionghosts or spirits To countenance this horror! Ring the bell.

Bell rings. Enter LADY MACBETH.

Lady Macbeth

What's the business, That such a hideous

trumpet calls to parleyDefinitiona conference between enemies The sleepers of the house?

Macduff

O gentle lady, 'Tis not for you to hear what I can speak:

The repetition,Definitionthe retelling of the news in a woman's ear, Would murder as it fell.

Enter BANQUO.

O Banquo, Banquo, Our royal master 's murder'd!

Lady Macbeth

Woe, alas! What, in our house?

Banquo

Too cruel any where. Dear Duff, I prithee, contradict thyself,DefinitionI beg you, say that you were wrong

And say it is not so.

Re-enter MACBETH and LENNOX, with ROSS.

Macbeth

Had I but died an hour before this chance,

I had lived a blessed time; for, from this instant,

There's nothing serious in mortality:Definitionnothing of value or significance remains in human life

All is but toys:Definitioneverything is just a trivial plaything renownDefinitionfame and honor and grace is dead;

The wine of life is drawn,Definitionthe vital essence of life has been poured out and the mere

leesDefinitionthe dregs or sediment at the bottom of a wine cask Is left this vault to brag of.Definitionis all that remains in this world (the vault)

Enter MALCOLM and DONALBAIN.

Donalbain

What is amiss?

Macbeth

You are, and do not know't: The spring, the head,

the fountain of your blood Is stopp'd;

the very source of it is stopp'd.

Macduff

Your royal father 's murder'd.

Malcolm

O, by whom?

Lennox

Those of his chamber, as it seem'd, had done 't:

Their hands and faces were all badged with blood;

So were their daggers, which unwiped we found

Upon their pillows: They stared, and were distracted;Definitionthey looked dazed and confused

no man's life Was to be trusted with them.

Macbeth

O, yet I do repent me of my fury, That I did kill them.

Macduff

Wherefore did you so?

Macbeth

Who can be wise, amazed,Definitionutterly confused or bewildered temperate and furious,

Loyal and neutral, in a moment? No man:

The expedition of my violent loveDefinitionthe haste of my intense devotion Outrun the pauser,Definitionthat which causes hesitation reason.

Here lay Duncan, His silver skin laced with his golden blood;

And his gash'd stabs look'd like a breach in nature

For ruin's wasteful entrance:Definitiona hole through which destruction enters

there, the murderers, Steep'd in the colours of their trade,

their daggers Unmannerly breech'd with gore:Definitionindecently covered with blood who could refrain,

That had a heart to love, and in that heart Courage to

make 's love known?

Lady Macbeth

Help me hence, ho!

Macduff

Look to the lady.Definitionattend to her / take care of her

Malcolm

[Aside to DONALBAIN] Why do we hold our tongues,

That most may claim this argument for ours?Definitionwhen we have the most right to be talking about this

Donalbain

[Aside to MALCOLM] What should be spoken here,

where our fate, Hid in an auger-hole,Definitiona tiny, hidden spot (like a drill hole)

may rush, and seize us? Let 's away; Our tears are not yet brew'd.Definitionready to be shed

Malcolm

[Aside to DONALBAIN] Nor our strong sorrow

Upon the foot of motion.Definitionready to show itself in action

Banquo

Look to the lady:

LADY MACBETH is carried out.

And when we have our naked frailties hid,

That suffer in exposure, let us meet,

And question this most piece of work,Definitionevent or deed To know it further.

Fears and scruplesDefinitionmoral doubts or hesitations shake us:

In the great hand of God I stand; and thence Against the

undivulged pretenceDefinitionhidden purpose or secret plot I fight Of treasonous malice.

Macduff

And so do I.

All

So all.

Macbeth

Let's briefly put on manly readiness,Definitionarmor and warlike preparation

And meet i' the hall together.

All

Well contented.Definitionwe agree / it is well settled

Exeunt all but Malcolm and Donalbain.

Malcolm

What will you do? Let's not consortDefinitionassociate or join company with them:

To show an unfelt sorrowDefinitiongrief that is faked or insincere is an office

Which the false man does easy. I'll to England.

Donalbain

To Ireland, I; our separated fortune Shall keep us both the safer:

daggers in men's smilesDefinitionFalse friendship hides treachery: the near in blood,

The nearer bloody.Definitionthose most closely related are most likely to murder us Malcolm

This murderous shaftDefinitionarrow that's shot Hath not yet

lighted,Definitionhit its target / finished its course and our safest way Is to avoid the aim.

Therefore, to horse;Definitionlet's get on our horses

And let us not be daintyDefinitionoverly polite or formal of leave-taking,

But shift away:Definitionslip away quietly there's warrantDefinitionjustification or permission in that theft

Which steals itself, when there's no mercy left.

Exeunt.

Scene 4

Outside Macbeth's Castle. Enter ROSS and an old Man.

Old Man

Threescore and ten I can remember well:

Within the volumeDefinitionthe span or record of which time

I have seen Hours dreadful and things strange;

but this sore night Hath trifled former knowings.Definitionmade previous experiences seem insignificant Ross

Ah, good father, Thou seest, the heavens,

as troubled with man's act,Definitionappearing disturbed by the murder of the King Threaten

his bloody stage:Definitionthe earth (where the murder took place) by the clock, 'tis day,

And yet dark night strangles the travelling lamp:Definitionblocks out the sun

Is't night's predominance,Definitionsuperior power or influence or the day's shame,

That darkness does the face of earth entomb,Definitionbury in darkness

When living light should kiss it?

Old Man

'Tis unnatural, Even like the deed that's done.

On Tuesday last, A falcon, towering in her pride of place,

Was by a mousingDefinitionmouse-hunting owl hawk'dDefinitionattacked like a hawk at and kill'd. Ross

And Duncan's horses-- Beauteous and swift,

the minionsDefinitionfavorites or finest examples of their race,

Turn'd wild in nature, broke their stalls, flung out,

Contending 'gainst obedience, as they would make War with mankind.

Old Man

'Tis said they eat each other.

Ross

They did so, to the amazement of mine eyes That look'd upon't.

Enter MACDUFF.

How goes the world, sir, now?

Macduff

Why, see you not?

Ross

Is't known who did this more than bloody deed?

Macduff

Those that Macbeth hath slain.

Ross

Alas, the day! What good could they pretend?

Macduff

They were suborn'd:Definitionbribed / hired Malcolm and Donalbain,

the king's two sons, Are stol'n awayDefinitionsecretly fled and fled;

which puts upon them Suspicion of the deed. Ross

'Gainst nature still! ThriftlessDefinitionwasteful or foolish ambition,

that wilt ravin upDefinitiongreedily devour Thine own life's means!

Then 'tis most like The sovereigntyDefinitionsupreme power or kingship

will fall upon Macbeth.

Macduff

He is already named, and gone to SconeDefinitionancient crowning place of Scottish kings

To be invested.Definitioncrowned or formally installed Ross

Where is Duncan's body?

Macduff

Carried to Colmekill,DefinitionIona (sacred burial isle) The sacred storehouse

of his predecessors, And guardian of their bones. Ross

Will you to Scone?

Macduff

No, cousin, I'll to Fife.DefinitionMacduff's own castle and territory

Ross

Well, I will thither.

Macduff

Well, may you see things well done there: adieu!

Lest our old robes sit easier than our new!

Ross

Farewell, father.

Old Man

God's benisonDefinitionblessing go with you; and with those

That would make good of bad, and friends of foes!

Exeunt.

Critical Frameworks & Sources

The Divine Right of Kings: The doctrine that Kings are appointed by God.
The Great Chain of Being: Elizabethan belief in a strict hierarchy of the universe.
Holinshed's Chronicles (1587): Shakespeare's primary historical source.

Next: Act 3 →

The Tragedy of Macbeth

Act II

Scene 1

Scene 2

Scene 3

Scene 4

Critical Frameworks & Sources