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Act II, Scene iii: emphasis on the end with the discovery of Duncan’s death

Macbeth. Act II, Scene iii: emphasis on the end with the discovery of Duncan’s death. Summary.

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Act II, Scene iii: emphasis on the end with the discovery of Duncan’s death

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  1. Macbeth Act II, Scene iii: emphasis on the end with the discovery of Duncan’s death

  2. Summary The porter slowly answers the incessant knocking at the door and is crude in his welcome of Macduff, who is charged with waking Duncan. Upon the discovery of the king’s murder, discomfort erupts; Lady Macbeth is weak, Macbeth laments killing the guards in his fury, and all vow revenge. Realizing their own danger, Duncan’s sons Malcolm and Donalbain resolve to flee.

  3. Scene Significance • Porter provides comic relief after death • transition; the Macbeths were just covered in blood and must appear clean to meet the knocking at the dooractors needed to change. • reinforces Lady Macbeth’s earlier words to “look like th’ innocent flower,/But be the serpent under’t” (I.iv.66-67). • hoping to deceive her guests, she swoons in shock at Duncan’s death • Macbeth overcompensates for the tragedy in his house by killing the guards (the suspected murderers)

  4. Macduff announces his purpose in knocking: “[Duncan] did command me to call timely on him: I have almost slipped the hour” (II.iii.48-49). Perhaps if Macduff had been more prompt in his wake-up call, he could have saved the King! (irony!) Word Trace: TIME

  5. Macbeth comments, “Here lay Duncan/His silver skin laced with his golden blood…” (II.iii. 113-114). Blood is usually red, but here “golden” reflects the nobility and worth of Duncan as a king. Word Trace: BLOOD

  6. There are more word tracings, but those are at least samples.

  7. Important Quote When Donalbain and Malcolm discuss their father’s murder alone, Donalbain reflects that, “Where we are/There’s daggers in men’s smiles…” (II.iii.141-142). Realizing that he and his brother are in danger by those who present as allies, Donalbain reminds the reader of the paradox of “fair is foul, and foul is fair” (I.iii.10). In other words, appearances are deceiving, and trust cannot be easily extended.

  8. Gender Issues Following the revelation of Duncan’s death, Macduff cautions Lady Macbeth, “O gentle lady,/’Tis not for you to hear what I can speak…” (II.iii.85-86). He is trying to protect the delicate woman from the horror of the murder, but this is IRONIC, as she is an accomplice and so not bothered.

  9. The Scream By Edvard Munch VISUAL

  10. Orange/reddish sky hints at tension, and the waves are bold, dark, and swallowing, all pointing to disturbances in nature The shock/horror reflects that of Duncan’s loyal subjects

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