Macbeth Act 2 Summary
Summary
Macbeth meets Banquo in the courtyard of his castle. Banquo is restless because he cannot decide how he feels about the witches and their prophecies. Macbeth pretends indifference, but casually agrees to talk about it if Banquo would like. They agree, and Banquo leaves. Macbeth again takes time to examine the pros and cons of going through with the plot, and begins to see illusions, starting with a dagger floating in the air in front of him. He seems to go back and forth, but eventually decides to kill Duncan.
Enter
To come on stage.
Court
A courtyard, possibly the forecourt. bearing a torch before him
Fleance is carrying a torch because this scene is set at night. Since the play was originally performed in the open air, in the afternoon, the torch helps us accept that it’s night. she The moon.
I take’t, ’tis later
I assume that it’s later than midnight.
Most people had no accurate way to tell time. Clocks were few and watches had not been invented.
There’s husbandry in heaven; / Their candles are all out. husbandry — conservation
All the candles of heaven (the stars) are dark, unseen. The night is cloudy.
Take thee that too.
Banquo asks his son, Fleance, to take something else he’s been carrying, in addition to his sword.
A heavy summons lies like lead upon me . . . Gives way to in repose!
Banquo is tired and wants to sleep, but he can’t. This is a problem, since he knows he’ll worry over unwelcome thoughts if he stays awake. He prays, briefly, that he won’t be bothered by thoughts we naturally would think when we have the time to reflect on things.
Give me my sword.
Banquo immediately asks for his sword back again, since someone is approaching. It’s dark, so he can’t yet tell it’s Macbeth.
Who’s there?
Banquo asks “Who’s there?” — challenging the stranger to identify himself. not yet at rest?
Why haven’t you gone to bed?
The king’s a-bed
The king has already gone to his sleep in unusual pleasure, and / Sent forth great
Macbeth meets Banquo in the courtyard of his castle. Banquo is restless because he cannot decide how he feels about the witches and their prophecies. Macbeth pretends indifference, but casually agrees to talk about it if Banquo would like. They agree, and Banquo leaves. Macbeth again takes time to examine the pros and cons of going through with the plot, and begins to see illusions, starting with a dagger floating in the air in front of him. He seems to go back and forth, but eventually decides to kill Duncan.
Enter
To come on stage.
Court
A courtyard, possibly the forecourt. bearing a torch before him
Fleance is carrying a torch because this scene is set at night. Since the play was originally performed in the open air, in the afternoon, the torch helps us accept that it’s night. she The moon.
I take’t, ’tis later
I assume that it’s later than midnight.
Most people had no accurate way to tell time. Clocks were few and watches had not been invented.
There’s husbandry in heaven; / Their candles are all out. husbandry — conservation
All the candles of heaven (the stars) are dark, unseen. The night is cloudy.
Take thee that too.
Banquo asks his son, Fleance, to take something else he’s been carrying, in addition to his sword.
A heavy summons lies like lead upon me . . . Gives way to in repose!
Banquo is tired and wants to sleep, but he can’t. This is a problem, since he knows he’ll worry over unwelcome thoughts if he stays awake. He prays, briefly, that he won’t be bothered by thoughts we naturally would think when we have the time to reflect on things.
Give me my sword.
Banquo immediately asks for his sword back again, since someone is approaching. It’s dark, so he can’t yet tell it’s Macbeth.
Who’s there?
Banquo asks “Who’s there?” — challenging the stranger to identify himself. not yet at rest?
Why haven’t you gone to bed?
The king’s a-bed
The king has already gone to his sleep in unusual pleasure, and / Sent forth great