Macbeth Presentation Part II ACT II scene i

Macbeth Presentation Part II

ACT II scene i n n After midnight, in his castle, Macbeth comes upon Banquo and his son, Fleance, as they are making their way to bed. Macbeth and Banquo plan to talk briefly regarding the witches’ prophesies. Once Fleance and Banquo leave, Macbeth imagines he sees a blood-covered dagger. He then leaves, intending to commit the murder

ACT II scene ii n n Macbeth murders King Duncan offstage. Unable to murder the sleeping Duncan herself because he looks too much like her father, Lady Macbeth is thrilled by the murder. She planned to commit the murder because she thought Macbeth too weak to do it. n n Macbeth is deeply troubled by the murder and thinks he hears a voice say that Macbeth has killed sleep. He mistakenly takes the daggers out of the guard’s room, and Lady Macbeth takes them, smears the guards with blood, and places the daggers next to the drunken, sleeping guards.

ACT II scene iii n n n A drunken porter answers the gate when Macduff and Lennox arrive. Macbeth is awakened by the noise. Macduff asks to see King Duncan. He leaves the room and Lennox tells Macbeth of the previous night’s events. n n Macduff discovers Duncan’s body. Macbeth leaves the room to check out the murder scene. When he returns, he claims he’s killed the culprits, the guards, out of anger. Malcolm and Donalbain flee the country out of fear that they may be next. Lady Macbeth faints.

ACT II scene iv n n Outside of Macbeth’s castle, Ross and an Old Man discuss the wild events of the night and day following Duncan’s death. Macduff reveals that Donalbain and Malcolm are accused of the king’s murder because they fled the country. Macduff reveals that Macbeth has gone to Scone to be installed as king. Macduff says he will not attend the coronation because he thinks Macbeth will not be a good king.