Act 2 Scene 2 of Macbeth
Act 2 Scene 2 is crucial to our understanding of the importance of power in the play
I think that Act 2 Scene 2 has a variety of ways to portray power in the play. After the murder of Duncan, Macbeth constantly hears mysterious sounds that Lady Macbeth probably could not. This implies the presence of a supernatural power that could be controlling his mind. All throughout this scene, Macbeth faces illusions in his mind which seem to be forcing him to admit his guilt. However, Macbeth does not show any of his ambitious qualities in this scene as he is too overcome by thoughts of damnation. He even puts down Lady Macbeth when she tells him to “Go carry them, and smear the sleepy grooms with blood” as he is “afraid to think what (he has) done”. Macbeth does not want to go back and be reminded of his deed, which makes him seem extremely vulnerable compared to the brave fighter he was at the start of the play who had singlehandedly killed his enemies. This may also imply that his guilt has taken away his boldness and power.
Lady Macbeth begins the scene, feeling very powerful and confident about her plan but as soon as she suspected that something went wrong, she became nervous and revealed a more vulnerable and much more feminine side of her when she admits that “Had (Duncan) not resembled my father, I had done’t.” This completely contradicts what she says in Act 1 Scene 7, when she tells Macbeth that she would kill her own baby if she was in Macbeth’s situation and yet, she says couldn’t kill Duncan. It may have been lie to make Macbeth think that she was strong and had no weaknesses so that he would be more willing to prove his masculinity to her.
When Macbeth enters, Lady Macbeth immediately returns to her fearless façade and scolds Macbeth every time he mentions damnation with “ consider it not so deeply” or “ these deeds must not be thought after these ways” and other responses which show her scorn. It is probable that she pretended not be shocked by what
I think that Act 2 Scene 2 has a variety of ways to portray power in the play. After the murder of Duncan, Macbeth constantly hears mysterious sounds that Lady Macbeth probably could not. This implies the presence of a supernatural power that could be controlling his mind. All throughout this scene, Macbeth faces illusions in his mind which seem to be forcing him to admit his guilt. However, Macbeth does not show any of his ambitious qualities in this scene as he is too overcome by thoughts of damnation. He even puts down Lady Macbeth when she tells him to “Go carry them, and smear the sleepy grooms with blood” as he is “afraid to think what (he has) done”. Macbeth does not want to go back and be reminded of his deed, which makes him seem extremely vulnerable compared to the brave fighter he was at the start of the play who had singlehandedly killed his enemies. This may also imply that his guilt has taken away his boldness and power.
Lady Macbeth begins the scene, feeling very powerful and confident about her plan but as soon as she suspected that something went wrong, she became nervous and revealed a more vulnerable and much more feminine side of her when she admits that “Had (Duncan) not resembled my father, I had done’t.” This completely contradicts what she says in Act 1 Scene 7, when she tells Macbeth that she would kill her own baby if she was in Macbeth’s situation and yet, she says couldn’t kill Duncan. It may have been lie to make Macbeth think that she was strong and had no weaknesses so that he would be more willing to prove his masculinity to her.
When Macbeth enters, Lady Macbeth immediately returns to her fearless façade and scolds Macbeth every time he mentions damnation with “ consider it not so deeply” or “ these deeds must not be thought after these ways” and other responses which show her scorn. It is probable that she pretended not be shocked by what