Macbeth LRJ #2

Roberto Sande Carmona
10 IB Hour 5
Ms.Peifer

1.Macbeth, some may say as opposed to his wife, still holds a strong sense of what is conceived as right, in Act 2. Although his sense of morality does not seem to prevent him from committing treacherous acts, his guilt is evident to other characters as well as the audience. Yet there is no arguing his faltering into a darker, criminal side. We see him equivocating his actions, attempting to deviate his way through his friends' accusations, "That I did kill them[the guards],"(Shakespeare, Macbeth 2.3.108). He tries to tell his friends he killed the guards in fury of Duncan's murder. This is an alarm to the audience of Macbeth's betrayal to not only Duncan but also the rest of his circle of friends. One can see Macbeth becoming a much darker and more devious characters, using his own wrongdoings as his very excuse.

2. Although Lady Macbeth's mission is one regarded as negative by most, her strong personality is still a positive asset to her goal. Especially in the presence of her husband, she is convincing and unfaltering. She pushes her husband forward, and her determination is expressed through the interactions between them, " my hands are of your color [red with blood], but I shame/ To wear a heart so white,"(Shakespeare, Macbeth 2.2.68-69). She claims to feel no guilt, and scolds her husband for doing so. She chides him to view these as necessary actions in order to gain the treasure they covet so badly. In this scene the audience is given the message that Macbeth is somewhat of a puppet of his wife's, clinging to her biding although unwillingly. Lady Macbeth, however is too athirst. Her eagerness to murder and remove anybody, regardless of previous friendship, is what causes her friends to realize what is truly happen, and to eventually conspire and overthrow the Macbeth's. The ambition consume her entirely, eventually crazing her.

3.The image pattern most prominently used by Shakespeare in Act 2 is that of animals. He uses them to either symbolize an idea, or accentuate a theme. This is particularly vivid after the discovery of Duncan's murder; " A falcon, tow'ring in her pride of place/ was by a mouse owl...killed,"( Macbeth 2.4.12-13). This is a perfect example, both representing the ensuing chaos, and providing a metaphor for Macbeth's acts against his lord, Duncan. The surprise expressed at this sight is equally reflect on the surprise exalted by the assassination.
Shortly after , the audience experiences a second example, "[Duncan's horses] eat each other," (2.4.18). Another reinforcement of the theme of hurlyburly, this passage also provides metaphorical value of the circle of friends. Represented as Duncan's horses, the cannibalism represents each one's suspicion for the others, while creating a sense of instability for the entire scenario and play.