In Act 2, Scene 1 near Macbeth’s castle, Banquo and Macbeth are discussing Banquo’s dream of “the three weird sisters” (2.1.20). Macbeth admits he has pondered on the witches prophecy. As Banquo exits the courtyard, Macbeth inquires if this really is a “dagger which [he sees] before [him]” (2.1.33). Macbeth has mental instability, for no sane man perceives a floating dagger. Furthermore, Macbeth attempts “to clutch thee [dagger]” (2.1.34); however, he cannot grasp the floating dagger because it is a false perception from his mentally ill brain. Lastly, Macbeth expresses that the blade has “dudgeon gouts of blood”, which was not there before when Macbeth first glimpsed the dagger (2.1.46). Thus, the blood happened to emerge on the dagger in
