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Macbeth Seminar Script

This document discusses key quotes and themes from Act 2 of Macbeth relating to heaven and hell. It provides context and analysis for 5 quotes: [1] Banquo refers to lights in heaven going out, foreshadowing chaos from Macbeth's actions. [2] Macbeth knows Duncan will go to heaven or hell after his murder. [3] A character can swear falsely but cannot equivocate to heaven. [4] Macbeth cannot say "Amen" though he needs blessing. [5] The heavens are troubled by man's acts of blood on the stage, though it is day, night strangles the light. The document examines how these quotes explore the breakdown of order and the tension

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35 views4 pages

Macbeth Seminar Script

This document discusses key quotes and themes from Act 2 of Macbeth relating to heaven and hell. It provides context and analysis for 5 quotes: [1] Banquo refers to lights in heaven going out, foreshadowing chaos from Macbeth's actions. [2] Macbeth knows Duncan will go to heaven or hell after his murder. [3] A character can swear falsely but cannot equivocate to heaven. [4] Macbeth cannot say "Amen" though he needs blessing. [5] The heavens are troubled by man's acts of blood on the stage, though it is day, night strangles the light. The document examines how these quotes explore the breakdown of order and the tension

Uploaded by

sophia.wo
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Macbeth Seminar Script

Word connections in act 2:

Talk about:
- Breakdown of heaven
- Breakdown of Hell
- Meaning of equivocation: a way of concealing the truth, essentially deception

Definitions of Heaven or Hell:


Heaven:
- Heaven is illustrated as place of good and people who do good will be rewarded by this
when they die
- A connection to heaven is God;
- God is in the top of the hierarchy for the great chain of being
- There is a certain drive to be like God or act in his powers.
- Acting against Heavens rules or religion is defying God
- Heaven is often portrayed as a place where individuals go to be rewarded for their good
acts on earth

Hell:
- A place where individuals are placed when they act against God, or religious rules
- Surrounding the idea of Hell, there are certain pressures
- Especially in religion there is this pressure to not sin and always do good and that
carries over to Macbeth

Quote 1:
“There’s husbandry in heaven; Their candles are all out. Take thee that
too.” “Merciful powers, Restrain in me the cursèd thoughts that nature,
Gives way to in repose.”

- In this particular scene Macbeth and Banquo were discussing the prophecies of the
witches, Banquo stating that he has dreamt about them whilst Macbeth claimed that it
has slipped his mind
- To understand the meaning of heaven in Banquos sentence we need to breakdown the
meaning of certain words
- Husbandry in heaven:
- In some cases many years ago husbandry can be defined as blowing out candles
or removing light.
- And I think this has a significant tie to heaven as for many, because heaven
symbolizes light.
- Also without light there is darkness.
- In Hell there is darkness, so I think with Banquo saying that there is no light he
can be referring to hell coming down upon them.
- When Banquo says their candles are all out I think Banquo is referring to the
angels in heaven.
- By Banquo saying the angel's candles are all out, it almost foreshadows the
chaos and deception that Macbeth will be causing in the future.
- Even already the witches have inflicted evil thoughts on Macbeth and Banquo
which already go beyond the rules of heaven and God.
- Banquo then goes on to ask the merciful powers to help him control the evil
thoughts that fill his mind.
- These evil thoughts Banquo is referring to are the thoughts of the witches and
their prophecies about Macbeth becoming king and one day Banquo’s sons as
well.
- As readers we can see that Banquo wants to rid himself of all evil spirits which
make him more susceptible to hell.

Quote 2:
“I go, and it is done. The bell invites me. Hear it not, Duncan, for it is a
knell, That summons thee to heaven or to hell.”

- Macbeth says this right after he sees an imaginary dagger in front of him in preparation
of king Duncan’s murder.
- When Macbeth says the bell invites me he is referring to the bell Lady Macbeth rung as
a signal to kill Duncan.
- I think it is interesting that Macbeth says “hear it not Duncan”
- When Macbeth says this he is referring to the bell Lady Macbeth has rung
- However, what I find that is interesting about this is the fact that Macbeth
believed and knew that that bell was the initiating factor in Duncan’s
death.
- Moreover, it is evident here that Macbeth understands the opposite sides
of the spectrum, heaven and hell, and how he knows Duncan will end up
in one or the other.
- Furthermore, I also wanted to connect Macbeth's knowledge of him himself going
against the great chain of being.
- This awareness Macbeth has of him going against what illuminates God, and in
this moment as a result of this the only thing he things about is the bell
summoning Duncan to heaven or hell.

Quote 3:

“Faith, here’s an equivocator that could


swear in both the scales against either
scale, who committed treason enough for
God’s sake yet could not equivocate to
heaven.”

Quote 4
One cried, “God bless us!” and “Amen” the other,
As they had seen me with these hangman’s hands.
List’ning their fear I could not say “Amen,”
When they did say “God bless us!”But wherefore
could not I pronounce “Amen?” I had most need
of blessing, and “Amen” Stuck in my throat.

Quote 5
“Ha, good father,Thou seest the heavens, as
troubled with man’s act, Threatens his bloody
stage. By th’ clock ’tis day, And yet dark night
strangles the traveling lamp.”

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