Act 2, Scene 2 Summary

The same wine that has caused the chamberlains to lie in drunken slumber has now emboldened Lady Macbeth. She has heard the owl shriek, but she thinks she hears the chamberlains. But, no, it is her husband, claiming that he has killed Duncan. Macbeth had visited the chamberlains who waked briefly, talking to each other, but fell asleep again. Macbeth, perhaps gripped with the anguish of his terrible deed has heard a voice proclaim, "Macbeth shall sleep no more." Lady Macbeth chides him for this foolishness, this brain sickness, and tells him to wash his hands and return the daggers. He refuses to visit them again. She says she will do it. She leaves. Macbeth hears a knocking. He is now appalled by every noise. He fears he cannot wash the stain of blood away, even with the help of the...