EN 11 Folger Ms. Vadacchino

Answer all questions in complete sentences and include evidence with line numbers to support your ideas.

Pathetic fallacy – when nature reflects what is going on in the affairs of people. E.g. a storm usually means trouble’s brewing.

Macbeth 2.11. How does Shakespeare use pathetic fallacy at the beginning of

the scene?2. What evidence is there that Banquo is suspicious of Macbeth?3. It’s too easy to say that Macbeth is going insane here, and that’s why

he sees the dagger. What do you think is going on? Why do you think Shakespeare has included this soliloquy?

Macbeth 2.21. What evidence is there that Lady Macbeth is not as tough is she thinks?

(2 pieces of evidence)2. How does Shakespeare create tension in this

scene?3. Macbeth makes a mistake. What was it? How does

he react? How does Lady Macbeth react?4. Both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth talk about

washing away the blood from their hands, but have very different opinions about it. Explain Macbeth’s metaphor about Neptune’s ocean. What do their attitudes reveal about their states of mind?

Note: When Lady Macbeth refers to “a heart so white,” she means a cowardly heart.

Macbeth 2.31. What purpose does the Porter speech serve?2. Find an example of pathetic fallacy. Cite the line numbers and explain

how it works.3. Look closely at Macbeth’s speech lines 107-112. How are the words

ironic yet also so true? Where does Macbeth’s sorrow really come from?

4. Explain Macbeth’s reasons for killing the guards. Are they convincing?5. Why does Lady Macbeth faint?6. There are so many brilliant and beautiful metaphors in this scene.

Write your two favourites and explain why you like them.

Macbeth 2.41. What 3 unnatural events have taken place to parallel Duncan’s

unnatural death?2. Find a paradox. Explain it.

EN 11 Folger Ms. Vadacchino