Macbeth Act II

Banquo tells Macbeth that he will consider becoming allied with Macbeth

• because he wants his sons to be kings

• if doing so does not affect his honor and his allegiance to Duncan

• if Macbeth agrees to share power with him

• because he is uncertain what the witches' prophecy means

Banquo's description of Duncan's reaction to the evening at Macbeth's castle stresses Duncan's

• petty fault-finding

• suspicious caution

• kingly arrogance

• grateful generosity

Macbeth's vision of an imaginary dagger suggests

• his disturbed conscience

• his cowardice

• the need to find a different way to kill the king

• the presence of the three witches

Which of the following statements is MOST accurate? After Duncan's murder

• both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are distracted and unable to act

• Macbeth is more distracted; Lady Macbeth is more in control

• Lady Macbeth is more distracted; Macbeth is more in control

• both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are calm and collected

After the murder, Macbeth

• accidentally awakens a groom, who cries out "Sleep no more!"

• smears blood on the grooms to make them appear guilty

• mistakenly stumbles into the room of Malcolm and Donalbain

• brings the murder weapons back with him

Lady Macbeth's remark that "A little water clears us of this deed" is

• literally true, but psychologically untrue

• meant to humiliate Macbeth

• intended to blame others

• designed to increase her control over Macbeth

After Duncan's murder is discovered, Banquo says, "In the great hand of God I stand, and thence / Against the undivulged pretense I fight / Of treasonous malice." This speech is

• an expression of loyalty to the king who will replace Duncan

• an expression of faith that God will give him strength to set things right

• a warning to Macbeth not to expect help from Banquo

• a declaration of intent to withdraw from human affairs

Malcolm and Donalbain leave Scotland because

• they murdered Duncan

• the seek rest

• they have stolen Duncan's money

• they fear for their own lives

Why is the image of an owl killing a falcon appropriate at the end of the Act?

• it represents Macbeth being preyed upon by Lady Macbeth

• like Duncan, the proud falcon has been killed by paying insufficient attention to the less fortunate

• a noble bird has been killed by a less noble one

• it foreshadows what will happen to Macbeth; he will be brought down by morally superior men

Who besides Macbeth is suspected of murdering Duncan?

• Banquo

• the king's sons

• Macduff

• Lady Macbeth