Reading Journal, Act II, 'Macbeth'

Scene I:

• ‘The moon is down’ – immediate sense of darkness causing unease.
• Macbeth’s dagger soliloquy raises many questions – how should it be interpreted? (1) What is Macbeth’s state of mind? (2) How much does the supernatural take over? (3)
• (1) – ‘I have thee not and yet I see thee still!’ – should Macbeth say this hastily due to fear, or should he say it slowly, with trepidation?
• (2) As the audience cannot see the dagger, we have to question his state of mind. This could be guilt taking over or it could be Macbeth’s own sense of persuasion.
• (3) – ‘Witchcraft celebrate Pale Hecat’s offerings…moves like a ghost’ Supernatural creatures are mentioned here, so rather than psychological effects, is the supernatural driving Macbeth’s hallucination, just as it is driving Lady Macbeth’s excitement of becoming Queen?

Scene II:

• Duncan’s death is not seen on stage which adds to the air of mystery and emphasises secrecy. This could also show, however, the careful planning that Lady Macbeth and Macbeth have done to ensure no one finds out. Later, the murders are seen on stage, which could show that Lady Macbeth and Macbeth can no longer be secret, their plans are rash and out of control, unlike Duncan’s murder.
• ‘Had he not resembled My father as he slept, I had done’t’ Lady Macbeth’s words show that she is not the heartless woman as presented before, deep down she does have a conscience. In a way makes her a more treacherous character, as she puts more pressure and guilt onto Macbeth.
• Subtle references to nature ‘owl that shrieked’ and ‘owl-scream and cricket’s cry’. Later developed when horses are described eating each other. Showing that nature knows of their deeds and are revolting.
• ‘Didst thou not hear a noise?’ – Macbeth makes many references that show he feels immediate guilt and the scene ends with Macbeth contemplating ‘Wake Duncan with thy knocking! I would thou couldst!’ He shows remorse and sorrow, but Lady Macbeth quickly undermines him saying it is ‘A foolish thought, to say a sorry sight.’
• ‘A little water clears us of this deed; How easy it is then!’ Shakespeare’s use of dramatic irony as they can wash the water off physically, but her words show they are stained more figuratively, in a much deeper way. Later, these words are twisted as Lady Macbeth is seen to be washing her hands in a trance; no water can clear her of the deed.

Scene III:

• The Porter scene also raises many questions as to his significance. He is darkly satirical as he talks about people he would welcome to hell ‘here’s a farmer’. Could be relating to Duncan’s murder and Macbeth’s soul beginning its journey to hell. His speech does not follow iambic pentameter, which says he is less important, however, the traditional secret of the fool in Shakespearian plays is to be no fool at all – he has prior knowledge to the plot as he makes references to hell ‘this place is too cold for hell’. Talking about Macbeth’s castle – he shows what a dangerous and futile place it is. However, the Porter is comic, so instead of looking so deeply into his words, we must remember Shakespeare was writing to entertain – is he just there for Shakespeare to please his audience and provide light relief to the play.
• Macduff describes Lady Macbeth as ‘O gentle lady’ – the opposite of what she really is and she then plays up to this when ‘swooning’ she says ‘Help me hence, ho!’ She puts on the presentation of the typical fragile woman which contradicts the masculinity shown in Act 1. However, it could also be argued she is trying to detract from Macbeth’s words ‘O yet I do repent me of my fury, That I did kill them’ in order to protect them both. She is a skilful actress.

Scene IV:

• ‘Tis said they ate each other.’ Emphasising the turning of nature and showing that something unnatural has happened. The animals know, but other characters are unaware.