Macbeth Group

Question:


hobbes
Student
High School - 11th Grade

Did Macbeth really heard anyone laugh and other one crying 'murder' when he returns after killing Duncan in act 2, scene 2.

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Posted by hobbes on Monday August 24, 2009 at 10:36 AM and tagged with characters, macbeth.

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  1. cybil Teacher
    High School - 12th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    No, Macbeth's anxiety and guilty conscience cause him to imagine that he hears someone laugh and another voice saying "Murder" and "Macbeth doth murder sleep." Earlier while he was in the process of killing Duncan, he was so frightened and nervous that he believed he heard the drugged grooms (guards) who were by this time unconscious call out "God bless us" and "Amen." Macbeth is upset that he was unable to say "Amen" himself in response. Of course, he couldn't say anything remotely resembling a prayer because he is committing a mortal sin. Macbeth's reactions indicate that he regrets what he is doing; earlier he had told Lady Macbeth, "We will proceed no further in this business," referring to the plan to kill Duncan. Yet his wife succeeded in belittling his manhood to the point that he apparently felt he had to prove himself by murdering his king. Nevertheless, his behavior and remarks reveal that he did not act resolutely.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/macbeth/act-ii-summary-analysis

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    Posted by cybil on Monday August 24, 2009 at 11:19 AM