"At night, Macbeth finds Banquo and Fleance in the courtyard. He agrees with Banquo to discuss the three witches at a later time."
" "
"Left alone, Macbeth sees a vision of a bloody dagger seeming to lead him to Duncan's room."
" "
"A bell rings."
"It is Lady Macbeth's signal to him that it is time to commit the murder."
9
"*COMMENTARY"
" "
"This scene adds suspense as it leads up to the murder. It also gives us a chance to compare Macbeth and Banquo."
"Banquo has been troubled by thoughts of the witches, but appeals to the powers of Good to help him. Macbeth on the other hand, turns to the powers of Evil."
" "
"Macbeth's potent imagination evokes the vision of the blood-stained dagger which adds to the suspense and horror."
"*(See Imagery 1)"
" "
"*See Macbeth's speech from this scene in the Missing Words game."
7
"*scene ii"
" "
"Lady Macbeth has drugged the guards and prepared for the murder. Macbeth enters with two blood-stained daggers. He says he heard someone call out."
" "
"Having committed the murder, he is very upset, and it is left to Lady Macbeth to return the daggers to the room and smear the grooms with blood, according to the plan."
" "
"They hear knocking at the south gate and they hurry off to wash off the blood and to put on night clothes so as to avoid suspicion."
8
"*COMMENTARY"
" "
"Compare the different reactions of Macbeth and his wife."
"He is tortured by complete understanding of the evil he has done. She is more controlled and corrects his mistakes, forcing him to carry on with the plan."
" "
"Notice, however, that she herself was unable to kill Duncan."
" "
"Sleep and blood imagery are important in this scene."
9
"*scene iii"
" "
"The porter, grumbling to himself about being porter at the gates of Hell, opens the door to let in Macduff and Lennox, who have come to see King Duncan."
" "
"Macduff discovers the murder, the alarm is rung and everybody wakes. In the confusion, Macbeth kills Duncan's guards."
" "
"Lady Macbeth faints to draw suspicion away from Macbeth."
" "
"Malcolm and Donalbain, the King's sons, flee for their lives - one to England, the other to Ireland."
9
"*COMMENTARY"
" "
"The porter provides some humorous relief after the tension of the last scene. Notice that Macbeth's castle is compared to Hell - it is now a place of evil."
" "
"We see that the natural order has been disturbed by the unnatural deed that has taken place. (see Themes 4)"
" "
"Both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth can be seen to be acting a little unnaturally here."
" "
"The sacreligious nature of the murder is shown."
7
"*scene iv"
" "
"Some time after Duncan's death, Ross meets an old man, and they discuss the strange happenings and the upheaval in nature. It is dark during the daytime and animals and birds are behaving strangely."
" "
"Macduff joins them, and says that Malcolm and Donalbain are suspected of the murder."
" "
"Macbeth is to be crowned at Scone, but Macduff says he will not attend."
11
"*COMMENTARY"
" "
"A short scene which fills the audience in on what has happened."
" "
"The important theme of Order/Disorder is emphasised here. (see Themes 4)"
" "
"This scene also keeps the important character of Macduff in view and indicates his suspicion of Macbeth."
