Act II

Scene i

Banquo and Fleance converse and Banquo mentions that he has had trouble sleeping. Macbeth joins the two and he and Banquo briefly discuss the three witches. Banquo mentions that he dreamt about them because part of their prophecy has come true for Macbeth. Macbeth feigns disinterest and tells Banquo to rest. Alone, Macbeth sees an intangible dagger hovering in the air, which he interprets as an omen regarding his impending task to kill Duncan. He resolves to go through with the assassination.

This scene shows that the meeting with the witches has upset Banquo enough for him to appeal to higher powers to protect him. Macbeth's apparent disinterest is another example of his exterior interactions hiding his internal struggle. The appearance of the dagger is a symbol of the murder he is about to commit.

The interpretation of this scene is crucial in order to form an overall understanding of Macbeth as a character. If the dagger is visible to the audience, it may imply that the dagger is an instrument of evil sent by supernatural powers, therefore further encouragement of the murder. If the dagger is not visible to the audience, however, it may signify a manifestation of Macbeth's internal struggle corresponding with his feelings of guilt. The second interpretation invites the audience to believe that Macbeth's actions are of his own choosing, despite the prophecies.

Scene ii

Lady Macbeth returns from drugging Duncan's guards and anxiously awaits Macbeth. Macbeth arrives from the King's chamber, having killed Duncan. They are both uneasy. Macbeth's guilt emerges swiftly as he mentions that he has had trouble saying 'Amen'. He expresses concern for the fact that he murdered Duncan in his sleep, saying that that idea will haunt him so that he can never sleep again. He has accidentally brought the daggers from the chamber where he was supposed to leave them to incriminate Duncan's guards, so Lady Macbeth attempts to reassure him by taking charge of the aftermath. They hear knocking at the castle door: Lady Macbeth suggests they go to bed so they can seem innocent of the murder.

Lady Macbeth dominates this scene because it is clear that she is more in control of her emotions than her husband, though she does admit to a moment of hesitation when she sees Duncan, noting that he resembles her father. Immediately following the murder, they conduct a conversation in short sentences, indicating that both are nervous.

Macbeth acknowledges his sin but his thoughts are focused on the possible consequences, both penalties he may encounter in the near future and on judgement day. He also realises that his guilt will affect him on a personal level, which increases his insecurity. When Lady Macbeth chides him for his guilt, which she sees as weakness, Macbeth purports to separate himself from the deed.

Scene iii

The castle's porter hears the knocking but takes his time to answer the door. Two noblemen, Macduff and Lennox, jest with the porter, and then Macbeth arrives to greet them. Macduff goes to call upon Duncan while Macbeth and Lennox converse about the violent weather of the night before. Macduff returns, raising the alarm after he discovers Duncan's body. Macbeth and Lennox go to the chamber to confirm Macduff's discovery.

Lady Macbeth, Banquo, Malcolm and Donalbain arrive at the sound of the alarm. Macbeth expresses his grief in a brief eulogy and admits that he killed Duncan's guards because it seemed that they had committed the murder. Macduff questions him about killing the guards but Macbeth claims that he felt enraged enough to avenge Duncan immediately. Lady Macbeth faints.

Banquo proposes that they meet later to decide their next course of action. The party disperses. Duncan's sons, Malcolm and Donalbain, recognise that their silence during the aftermath may seem suspicious but they also know that whoever murdered their father may be after them soon as the next heirs to the throne. To avoid becoming the murderer's next target, Malcolm resolves to go to England, Donalbain to Ireland.

This important scene begins with what seems like a light-hearted exchange between a drunken porter and the two noblemen. The porter character represents the Porter of Hell Gate, a figure that Jacobean audiences would have recognised from previous morality plays. The porter outlines a number of ethical situations and introduces the idea of equivocation, which is the act of using ambiguity to deceive.

To the audience, it is clear that Macbeth's interactions in this scene are a facade that he must maintain for the others. His hollow words of grief and Lady Macbeth's fainting spell also show how far the pair will go to conceal their guilt.

Here the audience also starts to understand Malcolm and Donalbain's dilemma. If they stay, they remain in the path of danger, but if they go, it will look like they are guilty. They choose to save themselves and flee to different destinations so that it is harder for the murderer to track them both.

Scene iv

Ross and an old man converse about the inclement (unpleasant) weather and the odd behaviour of animals during the night. Macduff joins them and reports that Malcolm and Donalbain have fled, implicating them in the murder plot. He also informs them that Macbeth has been named king, but that he will not attend the coronation.

Shakespeare uses natural disturbance as a metaphor for the treason that has taken place during the night, highlighting the idea that regicide is an unnatural act. Macduff's choice to avoid the coronation hints that he does not approve of Macbeth's ascension to the throne and marks Macduff as a character of some significance.