English 10h
Reading Journal
Macbeth
Macbeth 2.1-2.2
Assignment: For many students, reading Shakespeare is arduous work. Diligent students, who regularly
read, struggle with the most basic elements of the play like character and plot. Even honors students
lingering over Shakespeare’s poetic passages soon give up in favor of the quick fix of Sparknotes or the
like, but as in most things in life, contentious practice is ultimately rewarded. So, for the initial reading of
Macbeth, I would like you to read the Shakespearean text and respond to 5 of the following quotes on a
separate sheet of paper. This will provide you with the much needed practice of wrestling with
Shakespeare’s language and, hopefully, nurturing a rewarding reading experience!
Each quote analysis should address the following topics:
 A translation of the line in your own words (DO NOT SIMPLY COPY NO FEAR SHAKESPEARE)
 An explanation of what is immediately happening at the time the quote is said (Context)
 A brief analysis of the significance of the quote to the entire play thus far
[Remember, you only need to respond to 5 TOTAL!]
2.1 Quotes:
1. “I have thee not, and yet I see thee still./Art thou not, fatal vision, sensible/To feeling as to
sight? Or art thou but/A dagger of the mind, a false creation/Proceeding from the heatoppressed brain?” (2.1.46-51)
2. “Mine eyes are made the fools o’ th’ other senses/Or else worth all the rest. I see thee still,/And,
on thy blade and dudgeon, gouts of blood,/Which was not so before.” (2.1.56-59)
2.2 Quotes:
1. “That witch hath made them drunk hath made me bold./What hath quenched them hath given
me fire.” (2.2.1-2)
2. “This is a sorry sight.” (2.2.28)
3. “These deeds must not be thought/After these ways; so, it will make us mad.” (2.2.45-46)
4. “Methought I heard a voice cry ‘Sleep no more!/Macbeth does murder sleep” (2.2.47-48)
5. “Go get some water/And wash this filthy witness from your hand. - / Why did you bring these
daggers from the place?/The must lie there. Go, carry them and smear/The sleepy grooms with
blood.” (2.2.60-64)
6. “Tis the eye of childhood/That fears a painted devil.” (2.2.70-71)
7. “Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood/Clean from my hand? No, this my hand will
rather/The multitudinous seas incarnadine” (2.2.78-79)
8. “My hands are of your color, but I shame/To wear a heart so white.” (2.2.82-83)