Macbeth Act 2 - Reading Journal

Act 2 of Macbeth holds a greater understanding of the situation each character is in, this includes Banquo's suspicion, Macbeth's guilt, Lady Macbeth and her high esteem toward herself.  In scene 1, readers are brought to Banquo and Fleance walking the halls of Macbeth's castle who are having a conversation on Banquo's 'cursed thoughts.' Macbeth enters the scene soon after, surprising both characters, in this process Banquo informs Macbeth that King duncan was asleep as well as his dream about the 'three weird sisters.' As he suggests that the witches had revealed "some truth" to Macbeth, macbeth claims that he had not thought of them since the encounter at the heath. They both agree to speak on a later date, Banquo and Fleance leave the scene. Another symbol of death, as well as the poor side of the prophecy comes to Macbeth, a dagger floating before him with the handle to him and the blade to King Duncan. Macbeth attempts to grasp said dagger and fails, questioning whether or not it is real. The dagger soon shows signs of blood, this is dismissed as a manifestation of his unease, as the night goes on other strange occurances happen and the resolve Macbeth thought of ended with him doing the bloody work. Scene 1 ends with Lady Macbeth signaling that the chamberlains are asleep and Macbeth goes towards King Duncan's chamber. Here, things become quite predictable as King Duncan is killed in the beginning of scene 2, however, things were not going as planned because Macbeth had kept the dagger in his hands, leaving Lady Macbeth to set the scene of King Duncan's murder. Macbeth is horribly shaken by his actions that saying 'amen' was a difficult task. Scene 2 ends with the famous line, "A little water clears us of this deed,"and both Lady Macbeth and Macbeth leaving the scene to clean up. Scene 3 begins with the Porter, who is speaking of a fantasy about a door with several people knock, knock, knocking. Many take this as a familiar scene to Macbeth's situation, as well as a comical relief from the serious topics the play holds in previous Acts. Later, Macduff and Lennox learn of King Duncan's death after being lead there by Macbeth (who plays innocent with Lady Macbeth). The King's sons are informed of their fathers death and as welll that the blame falls upon Duncan's chamberlains. To their misfortune, Macduff becomes suspicious, Lady Macbeth faints, and the two sons whisper to each other that they are not safe. As Lady Macbeth is taken away, the sons flee. In scene 4, and old man and Ross are speaking of the recent death, leaving unanswered questions and suspicion towards the two princes who fled.  Both Macduff and Ross leave to different areas, Scone and Fife.