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Analysis of Act 2 Scene 2 of Macbeth Essay

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Analysis of Act 2 Scene 2 of Macbeth Act 2, scene 2, in the play of Macbeth, is a fairly significant scene, in which to mark the changes of the two characters, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Their minds and feelings are portrayed in this scene. It helps to show the role, which they play and to what degree they have been affected by the witches’ prophecies. Act 2, Scene 2, takes place in the home of Macbeth as a result to the murder of Duncan. It is interesting that Shakespeare chose to have the murder of Duncan taking place offstage. This scene is also significant in ways to show the reactions of the two characters to their crime and sin. The murder of Duncan possibly took place off stage to cause …show more content…

The scene begins with Lady Macbeth by herself. “ What hath quenched them hath given me fire ” In this line Lady Macbeth is saying that she has the energy and courage inspired by liquor to cope with what she has done to cause the murder of Duncan. She appears to be in a very uneasy and hesitant state, claiming to be bold and courageous yet jumps to the sound of an owl. Owls, are birds of night, and are recognised as ill omens. The owl is compared to a bellman, which is a person recognised as to ring the bell before an execution. It is possible; that Shakespeare meant Duncan to be killed at this exact point as in the previous scene Macbeth is on his way to kill Duncan. Lady Macbeth says “He is about it”, using the term “it” to relate to the murder. It is as if she’s too scared to say the word. It seems as if the word “it” is more comforting to her than “murder” to help her feel slightly more relaxed at knowing what she and her husband Macbeth have done. As Macbeth enters the room the tension and nervousness is immediately noticeable. From the use of dashes, we can see that the speech is very broken up. This shows the nerves of the two characters and we see hesitation in their speech. Lady Macbeth claims that she would have done the deed if Duncan had not looked like her father whilst sleeping. This shows weaknesses in her character;

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