Macbeth: Questions pg. 229-230 #2,4, and 5

2. In his soliloquy in Scene I, why does Macbeth call the dagger a “fatal vision”? In what way is the description ironic? What does the soliloquy reveal about Macbeth’s state of mind?

• The  dagger came to Macbeth in a vision and it is haunting him. The vision of the dagger represents his conscience and the guilt that he feels about what he is about to do, which is killing King Duncan. 
• It is ironic because Macbeth has this whole vision about the dagger and he is lamenting his decision to kill the king, yet he still goes on with the plan to kill the king. 
• The soliloquy reveals that Macbeth is at a very unstable mindset. He is pressured by his conscience to do what is right. But he is also pressured by Lady Macbeth and the three witches to fulfill his “destiny.” Macbeth does not know who to listen to and this causes him to make rash decisions under pressure.

4. How do the Macbeths’ reactions to the subject of bloody hands differ? With whose opinion do you agree? Of what do you think the blood and water are symbolic?

• Macbeth is afraid of the bloody hands, he does not want to see the blood on his hands. Seeing the blood reminds Macbeth of the evil deed that he just carried out. Lady Macbeth however is not afraid of the blood. She simply says that all they need to do is wash it from their hands and everything will be okay. 
• I agree with Macbeth’s opinion, because the memory of killing someone does not just go away with the washing of hands. It will stick with you for the rest of your life. It’s not something that you can get away from. 
• The blood and water are probably symbolic of Pontius Pilate and how he washed his hands of Jesus’ death on the cross.

5. What does Donalbain mean when he tells Malcolm in line 125 of Scene iii, “There’s daggers in men’s smiles”? What lines in Act 1 also present this theme of dissimulation? (two different specific areas)

• Donalbain means that even though a man might smile, he could have ulterior motives. A smile conceals a person’s true thoughts or ideas. 
• Lines 48-35
• Macbeth: 
• (Aside.) The Prince of Cumberland! that is a step
• On which I must fall down, or else o'erleap, 
• For in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires,
• Let not light see my black and deep desires;
• The eye wink at the hand; yet let that be
• Which the eye fears, when it is done, to see.
• Lines 80-82
• Macbeth:
• I am settled, and bend up
• Each corporal agent to this terrible feat.
• Away, and mock the time with fairest show;
• False face must hide what the false heart doth know.