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Act II

Act II: Macbeth and Lady Macbeth plot to kill King Duncan while he stays in their castle. That night, Lady Macbeth drugs the guards so Macbeth can enter Duncan's chamber and murder him. She leaves the bloody daggers by Duncan's body to frame the guards. When Macduff discovers Duncan's death, Macbeth kills the guards to appear innocent. Duncan's sons flee for fear of their lives. Act III: Macbeth becomes king but is plagued by feelings of insecurity due to a prophecy. He arranges to have Banquo and his son Fleance killed, but Fleance escapes. At a banquet that night, Macbeth sees Ban

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Ariane Zgheia May Castueras
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275 views3 pages

Act II

Act II: Macbeth and Lady Macbeth plot to kill King Duncan while he stays in their castle. That night, Lady Macbeth drugs the guards so Macbeth can enter Duncan's chamber and murder him. She leaves the bloody daggers by Duncan's body to frame the guards. When Macduff discovers Duncan's death, Macbeth kills the guards to appear innocent. Duncan's sons flee for fear of their lives. Act III: Macbeth becomes king but is plagued by feelings of insecurity due to a prophecy. He arranges to have Banquo and his son Fleance killed, but Fleance escapes. At a banquet that night, Macbeth sees Ban

Uploaded by

Ariane Zgheia May Castueras
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Act II

Macbeth returns to his castle, followed almost immediately by King


Duncan. The Macbeths plot together to kill Duncan and wait until
everyone is asleep. At the appointed time, Lady Macbeth gives the
guards drugged wine so Macbeth can enter and kill the King. He
regrets this almost immediately, but his wife reassures him. She
leaves the bloody daggers by the dead king just before Macduff, a
nobleman, arrives. When Macduff discovers the murder, Macbeth kills
the drunken guards in a show of rage and retribution. Duncan's sons,
Malcolm and Donalbain, flee, fearing for their own lives; but they are,
nevertheless, blamed for the murder. 

Act III
Macbeth becomes King of Scotland but is plagued by feelings of
insecurity. He remembers the prophecy that Banquo's descendants
will inherit the throne and arranges for Banquo and his son Fleance to
be killed. In the darkness, Banquo is murdered, but his son escapes
the assassins. At his state banquet that night, Macbeth sees the ghost
of Banquo and worries the courtiers with his mad response. Lady
Macbeth dismisses the court and unsuccessfully tries to calm her
husband. 
Costume for Vivien Leigh as Lady
Macbeth, 1955

Act IV
Macbeth seeks out the witches who say that he will be safe until a
local wood, Birnam Wood, marches into battle against him. He also
need not fear anyone born of woman (that sounds secure, no loop-
holes here). They also prophesy that the Scottish succession will still
come from Banquo's son. Macbeth embarks on a reign of terror,
slaughtering many, including Macduff's family. Macduff had gone to
seek Malcolm (one of Duncan's sons who fled) at the court of the
English king. Malcolm is young and unsure of himself, but Macduff,
pained with grief, persuades him to lead an army against Macbeth. 

By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this


way comes
— MACBETH, ACT 4 SCENE 1

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