#Macbeth annotations act 2 series#

The humor continues when the porter unbolts the door to Macduff and Lennox and offers a series of bawdy jokes, momentarily distracting the audience from the fact that Macbeth must at this very moment be washing his hands of the blood of the previous scene. So the porter's examples are not entirely without significance, even though they may be unintentional. Many examples of ambiguous language are heard throughout Macbeth, and of course the words of the Witches themselves are not entirely clear. The conspirators, including Guy Fawkes, may have been encouraged by a Catholic convert called John Garnett, whose nickname was 'farmer.' The practice of lying in court about one's religion by employing confusing or ambiguous language was known as equivocation. A few months before Macbeth was performed at court in front of the Protestant King James I, the infamous Gunpowder Plot (the aim of which was to murder the English king) took place. The first two examples he uses (that of a farmer and an equivocator) have specific religious and historical connotations. In a private game with the audience, he engages in a piece of stand-up comedy in which he imagines himself as that beleaguered servant, opening and closing the gate on the damned. The porter of Macbeth's castle, drunk from the previous night's revels, complains that his job is worse than that of the porter of hell. This busy scene begins with a moment of light comedy, which serves to heighten the suspense.

Duncan's sons, Malcolm and Donalbain, thinking themselves open to the charge of murdering their father, plan to flee to England and Ireland. The assembled thanes of Scotland resolve to avenge the act of treason. On hearing the terrible revelation, the Macbeths' acts are beyond suspicion, but Macbeth admits to having killed the guards of the King's chamber - not part of the original plan - and Lady Macbeth faints. Only a moment passes before the news breaks: King Duncan has been murdered. One who is not is Macbeth, and he directs Macduff to the king's chamber. It is early morning, and most of those in the castle are still asleep. Eventually, however, he opens the door to Lennox and Macduff, who have been commanded to call upon the king to arrange the royal departure. Instead, he plays a game with himself in which he imagines himself as the porter of hell and jokes about the kind of sinners he might let in. The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves.The knocking continues, but the porter does not immediately open the door. She has had visionary dreams and fears the portents of the overnight storms. On 15 March, Caesar's wife, Calpurnia, urges him not to go to the Senate. Brutus is troubled but refuses to confide in his devoted wife, Portia. After doing so, they visit Brutus at night in his home to persuade him of their views. Act IIĬassius, Casca, and their allies plant false documents to manipulate Brutus to join their cause to remove Caesar. But the conspirators are still wary of his aspirations. They offered Caesar a crown three times, and he refused it every time. The conspirator Casca enters and tells Brutus of a ceremony held by the plebeians. Brutus has a more balanced view of the political position. Cassius, a successful general himself, is jealous of Caesar. He has been gaining a lot of power recently and people treat him like a god. They fear he will accept offers to become Emperor. Information to help you plan your visit to Shakespeare's family homesįellow senators, Caius Cassius and Marcus Brutus, are suspicious of Caesar's reactions to the power he holds in the Republic. Prices, booking, opening times and more to help you get organisedĮnjoy seasonal activities and special events throughout the year Visit William Shakespeare's Birthplace and explore his childhood world, right where it all began.