Act 3, Scene 2 – Macbeth Feel Anxious
The Macbeths feel insecure and guilty. Macbeth hints to Lady Macbeth that he is going to
kill Banquo.
“Tis safer to be that which we destroy” – Character: Lady Macbeth
Lady Macbeth gloomily talks about how she is feeling but her language and tone
changes when Macbeth enters. This suggests she is trying to appear strong and positive
for her husband.
“We have scotched the snake, not killed it”
This is a dramatic irony as Macbeth is referring to Banquo and the audience knows that,
at this point, Macbeth has already gave the commands to murder Banquo and Fleance.
“Terrible dreams” – Shakespeare’s Techniques
Macbeth suffers from nightmares or insomnia as he is being punished for his crimes. It’s
ironic as Macbeth has murdered Duncan in his sleep.
“Restless ecstasy” – Shakespeare’s Techniques
This shows Macbeth’s and Lady Macbeth’s emotions. They have got what they wanted
but they also feel guilty and uneasy.
“Torture of the mind” – Shakespeare’s Techniques
Macbeth envies Duncan’s escape from the worries of being king. The problem Macbeth
mentions – civil wars and foreign armies – foreshadow Macduff’s rebellion and the
English army’s attack.
“Be bright and jovial” – Character: Lady Macbeth
Lady Macbeth is carefree because she doesn’t know about the Witches’ predictions of
Banquo and she didn’t kill Duncan. She is now being represented as a typical
Shakespearean woman as she is not involved in anything.
“Make our faces vizards to our hearts” – Character: The Macbeths
Macbeth and Lady Macbeth have switched roles; earlier it was Lady Macbeth who told
her husband to disguise their true intentions. By disguising themselves, it shows how
false and evil they are.
“Full of scorpions is my mind”
Macbeth’s fears about his guilt has led him to insanity. His mind is full of poison (evil).
“Bat”, “Beetle”, and “Crow” – Theme: Supernatural
The unpleasant animalistic imagery creates and unsettling tone – these animals remind
the audience of evil and emphasise Macbeth’s feelings of insecurity and paranoia.
“Come seeling night” – Shakespeare’s Techniques
Macbeth is becoming more like his wife: they both call on the darkness to hide the
daylight and they both refer to evil spirits.
“Things bad begun make strong themselves by ill”
Macbeth believes that by doing more evil he would become stronger.
Macbeth hints that he plans to kill Banquo, but he refuses to confide in Lady Macbeth.
This could be as he wants to protect her from more guilt, or that he is so driven by his
own ambition that her opinion doesn’t matter.
The Macbeths feel insecure and guilty. Macbeth hints to Lady Macbeth that he is going to
kill Banquo.
“Tis safer to be that which we destroy” – Character: Lady Macbeth
Lady Macbeth gloomily talks about how she is feeling but her language and tone
changes when Macbeth enters. This suggests she is trying to appear strong and positive
for her husband.
“We have scotched the snake, not killed it”
This is a dramatic irony as Macbeth is referring to Banquo and the audience knows that,
at this point, Macbeth has already gave the commands to murder Banquo and Fleance.
“Terrible dreams” – Shakespeare’s Techniques
Macbeth suffers from nightmares or insomnia as he is being punished for his crimes. It’s
ironic as Macbeth has murdered Duncan in his sleep.
“Restless ecstasy” – Shakespeare’s Techniques
This shows Macbeth’s and Lady Macbeth’s emotions. They have got what they wanted
but they also feel guilty and uneasy.
“Torture of the mind” – Shakespeare’s Techniques
Macbeth envies Duncan’s escape from the worries of being king. The problem Macbeth
mentions – civil wars and foreign armies – foreshadow Macduff’s rebellion and the
English army’s attack.
“Be bright and jovial” – Character: Lady Macbeth
Lady Macbeth is carefree because she doesn’t know about the Witches’ predictions of
Banquo and she didn’t kill Duncan. She is now being represented as a typical
Shakespearean woman as she is not involved in anything.
“Make our faces vizards to our hearts” – Character: The Macbeths
Macbeth and Lady Macbeth have switched roles; earlier it was Lady Macbeth who told
her husband to disguise their true intentions. By disguising themselves, it shows how
false and evil they are.
“Full of scorpions is my mind”
Macbeth’s fears about his guilt has led him to insanity. His mind is full of poison (evil).
“Bat”, “Beetle”, and “Crow” – Theme: Supernatural
The unpleasant animalistic imagery creates and unsettling tone – these animals remind
the audience of evil and emphasise Macbeth’s feelings of insecurity and paranoia.
“Come seeling night” – Shakespeare’s Techniques
Macbeth is becoming more like his wife: they both call on the darkness to hide the
daylight and they both refer to evil spirits.
“Things bad begun make strong themselves by ill”
Macbeth believes that by doing more evil he would become stronger.
Macbeth hints that he plans to kill Banquo, but he refuses to confide in Lady Macbeth.
This could be as he wants to protect her from more guilt, or that he is so driven by his
own ambition that her opinion doesn’t matter.
