English 10R-Monday, 4/24/17

Homework: 

Complete today’s handout then respond:

In Act I Lady Macbeth seems to be planning to murder Duncan herself.  But in Act II, at the last moment, she is unable to (page 55, lines 15-17).  Consider her reason, and decide what her actions and explanations reveal about her character.

Today:  Close Reading with questions

MACBETH Act II, Scene 2

MACBETH

There's one did laugh in's sleep, and one cried                 30
'Murder!'
That they did wake each other: I stood and heard them:
But they did say their prayers, and address'd them
Again to sleep.                                                                  35

LADY MACBETH

There are two lodged together.

MACBETH

One cried 'God bless us!' and 'Amen' the other;             
As they had seen me with these hangman's hands.
Listening their fear, I could not say 'Amen,'
When they did say 'God bless us!'                                    40

LADY MACBETH

Consider it not so deeply.

MACBETH

But wherefore could not I pronounce 'Amen'?
I had most need of blessing, and 'Amen'
Stuck in my throat.

LADY MACBETH

These deeds must not be thought                                      45
After these ways; so, it will make us mad.

MACBETH

Methought I heard a voice cry 'Sleep no more!                     
Macbeth does murder sleep', the innocent sleep,
Sleep that knits up the ravell'd sleeve of care,
The death of each day's life, sore labour's bath,                50
Balm of hurt minds, great nature's second course,
Chief nourisher in life's feast,--

LADY MACBETH

What do you mean?

MACBETH

Still it cried 'Sleep no more!' to all the house:
'Glamis hath murder'd sleep, and therefore Cawdor              55
Shall sleep no more; Macbeth shall sleep no more.'

Answer the following based on the excerpt above.

1.      Circle all references to sleep in this excerpt, and annotate along the side of the text.

  

2.      What couldn’t Macbeth say back, and why does this bother him so much?

  

3.      In lines 49-52 above, how does Macbeth personify sleep? Explain.

  

4.      Explain the last two lines.

  

5.      What does this scene reveal about Macbeth’s character? Be specific.