Act 2 Reading Journal

• Act 2, Scene 1-  Macbeth's soliloquy of imaginary daggers builds curiosity upon the audience, this can be seen a a cue/ prod for Macbeth committing the act of killing Duncan.
• Get to see the mental state of Macbeth as he is alone on stage, this tends to be when characters are open to express feelings. ' Heat oppressed brain' interpreted as an act happening 'in the heat of the moment' . Though During Renaissance periods, heat was considered as a fluid that would literally press against the brain causing a fever or delirium. 
• Language- 'Gouts of blood' used in a rich context puts a lot of emphasis when pronouncing as well. Comes from Latin term 'gutta' meaning large droplets or splashes that are gushing or bursting.
• 'wicked dreams abuse' - mind tourmenting, psychological. 
• Structure- Macbeth's soliloquy, has no rhyming structure at all, apart from the last two lines (rhyming couplets). Adds to the effect of not knowing his state of mind. The illusion of daggers is in the unconscious creates a tone of confusion.
• Act 2, Scene 2- Evidence of Lady Macbeth producing a guilty conscience the fast pace of recalling after lines, shows character intensity and anxiety. 
• Lines 43-4 'Murdered sleep'....'Macbeth shall sleep no more' - Macbeth begins to accept what has been done, the idea of him not sleeping is him repenting for his sins. Also, the prophecies will keep delivering, Killing more people to keep secrets safe.
• Act 2, Scene 3- Porter Scene, offers a comical aspect to the play. Breaks down the structure creates a comical situation out of something serious.
• Lady Macbeth diverts the attention from the Killing being exposed by Macbeth. Line 103 onwards... Lady: (swooning).
• Act 2, Scene 4- Discovery of King Duncan's Death.

Biblical References:

• Act2, Scene 1, Lines 72-4 'The bell invites me. Hear it not, Duncan for it is a knell. That summons thee to heaven or hell.Macbeth is about to send King Duncan to his judgment before God.' In Mathews25.31 were told: ' when the son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angles with him, then he shall sit upon the throne of his glory and before him shall be gathered all nations... to be judged.
• Act 2, Scene 1, Line 56  onwards, shows how Macbeth is unaware of his crimes though the heavens and the earths are aware. References to the Habakkuk 2.10,11 'Thou hast consulted shame to thine own house, by destroying many people, and hast sinned against thine own soule. For the stones shall cry out of the wall and the beam out of his timbre shall answer it'. The Noise reveals Macbeth's intentions.

Animal References:

• Act 2, Scene 2, Line 3 'It was the owl that shriek'd, the fatal bellman.' The hoot of an owl flying over someones house was an evil omen and meant impending death for someone inside. The referral to the bellman,shows that it was the bellman's job to ring the Parrish bell when a person was facing death.  
• Act 2, Scene 4, Line 14 'Duncan's horses'- betrayal with the former kings men. Horses are a symbol of loyalty and nobility .
• 'A falcon towering in her pride' representation of Lady M. Shows the power and control she has over Macbeth, but the nobility of such a creature is something she strives for.  

Shakespeare's use of animal imagery tells the play from another view point, used as a motif throughout the play to capture whats happening. Also convey what may happen in future events.