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Macbeth Act 2 Summary

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5/3/2016
MACBETH
Summary and Commentary

Act 1-Summary
Three witches predict the future for Macbeth and Banquo. Macbeth is named the Thane of Cawdor. Lady Macbeth desires Macbeth to kill King Duncan, so that he (Macbeth) may become king of Scotland.

Quote: “All hail, Macbeth, thou shalt be king hereafter!”
This is the prophecy of the three witches, telling Macbeth he will be king.

Commentary
Thunder and lightning sets a gloomy mood. The three witches appear wicked, and tell the future to Macbeth and Banquo. They do not take them seriously. The witches prophesy that Macbeth will become king, and Banquo’s children will become kings in the distant future.
Act-2 Summary
Banquo and his son (Fleance) are in the hall of Macbeth’s castle, …show more content…

Commentary
Now Macbeth is the king, and he remember’s the witches prediction about Banquo’s children becoming heirs to the throne. Macbeth hires two men to have Banquo murdered.
Fleance escapes unharmed, but Banquo’s ghost appears to Macbeth. Macbeth wants to meet with the three witches to see what his lies in his future.

Act 4-Summary
Macbeth arrives to see the three witches, and they tell Macbeth of four apparitions. They tell Macbeth of an armed, floating head, which means no harm will come to Macbeth. His confidence builds up as the witches proceed to tell of the second and third apparition. The fourth apparition is eight crowned kings walking past, and the last one is carrying a mirror followed my Banquo’s ghost. Macbeth send murderers to kill Macduff and his family. Macduff escapes harm, but promises revenge.

Quote-”Bleed, bleed poor country.”
Commentary
Country is falling.

Act 5-Summary
Lady Macbeth is wandering around the castle in a trance. She is mourning the deaths of Lady Macduff and Banquo. She has visions of blood on her hands that cannot be washed off. She is losing her mind. Malcolm, Lennox, and the Scottish army are preparing for battle. Macbeth feels he has nothing to fear because of the prophecy of the three witches. Macbeth sends for the doctor, and demands him to cure Lady Macbeth of her

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