Act 2, Scene 2 – Macbeth Has Killed Duncan
Macbeth has killed Duncan in his sleep. Lady Macbeth makes Duncan’s servants look like
they killed the king, while Macbeth feels guilty.
The murder takes place offstage – this increases the suspense and makes the audience
imagine the killing, which makes it more horrific. It also lets the audience see how
Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are affected.
“I had don’t” – Character: Lady Macbeth
Lady Macbeth would have committed the murder if Duncan did not resembled her
father. This is the first time she has wavered – it’s the first sign that she will struggle to
get over her guilt.
“Owl scream and crickets cry”
This suggests that the murder of Duncan was so bad that the world and nature was
affected. This shows Duncan’s murder was like Jesus’ death, representing God’s
representative on Earth.
“Did you not speak?” “When?” – Shakespeare’s Techniques
Macbeth and Lady Macbeth speak in very short sentences. Their language suggests that
they are nervous and afraid of being caught of what they have done.
“A sorry sight”
Macbeth is feeling paralysed and weak as he is referring to his hands that has Duncan’s
blood on them.
“I could not say Amen”
Macbeth is overcome with guilt as he couldn’t get forgiveness from God.
“Sleep no more, Macbeth does murder sleep” – Theme: Supernatural
Macbeth is hearing voices in his head. In Act 1, Scene 3, the Witches say that they will
stop the captain from sleeping.
“Murdered sleep”
Macbeth is overcome with guilt as sleep symbolises peace and a clear conscience. This
also foreshadows Lady Macbeth’s sleepwalking in Act 5.
“They must lie there” – Character: Lady Macbeth
Lady Macbeth takes charge of the situation. She thinks clearly and rationally about how
to cover their tracks.
“I am afraid to think what I have done”
This shows Macbeth’s guilt and regret for killing Duncan.
“Neptune’s Ocean” – Shakespeare’s Techniques
Macbeth cannot get support from God, so asks for help with a pagan God, as he is
overcome with guilt, but doubts that ‘Neptune’ will clean the blood off his hands.
“My hand are of your colour”
Lady Macbeth is reassuring Macbeth that she is guilty as he is, that she has blood on her
hands as well.
“To know my deed, ‘twere best not know myself”
Macbeth wishes to be lost in his thoughts so that he won’t deal with the knowledge he
has killed Duncan.
Macbeth has killed Duncan in his sleep. Lady Macbeth makes Duncan’s servants look like
they killed the king, while Macbeth feels guilty.
The murder takes place offstage – this increases the suspense and makes the audience
imagine the killing, which makes it more horrific. It also lets the audience see how
Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are affected.
“I had don’t” – Character: Lady Macbeth
Lady Macbeth would have committed the murder if Duncan did not resembled her
father. This is the first time she has wavered – it’s the first sign that she will struggle to
get over her guilt.
“Owl scream and crickets cry”
This suggests that the murder of Duncan was so bad that the world and nature was
affected. This shows Duncan’s murder was like Jesus’ death, representing God’s
representative on Earth.
“Did you not speak?” “When?” – Shakespeare’s Techniques
Macbeth and Lady Macbeth speak in very short sentences. Their language suggests that
they are nervous and afraid of being caught of what they have done.
“A sorry sight”
Macbeth is feeling paralysed and weak as he is referring to his hands that has Duncan’s
blood on them.
“I could not say Amen”
Macbeth is overcome with guilt as he couldn’t get forgiveness from God.
“Sleep no more, Macbeth does murder sleep” – Theme: Supernatural
Macbeth is hearing voices in his head. In Act 1, Scene 3, the Witches say that they will
stop the captain from sleeping.
“Murdered sleep”
Macbeth is overcome with guilt as sleep symbolises peace and a clear conscience. This
also foreshadows Lady Macbeth’s sleepwalking in Act 5.
“They must lie there” – Character: Lady Macbeth
Lady Macbeth takes charge of the situation. She thinks clearly and rationally about how
to cover their tracks.
“I am afraid to think what I have done”
This shows Macbeth’s guilt and regret for killing Duncan.
“Neptune’s Ocean” – Shakespeare’s Techniques
Macbeth cannot get support from God, so asks for help with a pagan God, as he is
overcome with guilt, but doubts that ‘Neptune’ will clean the blood off his hands.
“My hand are of your colour”
Lady Macbeth is reassuring Macbeth that she is guilty as he is, that she has blood on her
hands as well.
“To know my deed, ‘twere best not know myself”
Macbeth wishes to be lost in his thoughts so that he won’t deal with the knowledge he
has killed Duncan.
