Act V

1. Act V Notes

2. Scene i • Gentlewoman called doctor b/c Lady Mac is sleepwalking • They see her looking at her hands • “Out, damned spot! Out, I say! One; two: why, then/ ‘tis time to do ‘t. Hell is murky!...” • Doctor thinks “unnatural deeds/ Do breed unnatural troubles; infected minds/ To their deaf pillows will discharge their secrets.”

3. What does this mean? • We can see here that Lady Macbeth hasn’t been able to get restful sleep • Remember she was telling Macbeth to just wash his hands when he was feeling guilty? Roles have reversed. • It’s unnatural: she’s feeling guilty and the truth is coming out • She’s not getting any sleep

4. Scene ii • Malcolm and army are at Dunsinane • In Birnam Wood ready to fight • They discuss Macbeth’s uneasiness/madness showing his guilt • What does this mean? • We are getting the sense that Macbeth isn’t invincible • The prophecy of Birnam wood is starting to form

5. Scene iii • Macbeth is getting ready for battle • He’s reminding himself of the prophecies-he won’t really get worried until Birnam wood moves, he laughs because Malcolm is of woman born • His ambition is too great that he can’t help himself • Doctor comes in and informs him of Lady Mac. • Macbeth wants him to cure her

6. Scene iv • Malcolm orders all soldiers to get some branches as cover to march to Dunsinane • Here we definitely see that the prophecy is coming true

7. Scene v • In castle • Macbeth is told of Lady Macbeth’s death • He doesn’t mourn her death-he feels like life is really meaningless • “she should have died hereafter;/ There would have been a time for such a word.” • A messenger comes in to explain that Birnam Wood is moving toward the castle • Macbeth sees this and really feels fear-he realizes the witches tricked him • He feels at least he’ll die fighting

8. Scene vi • Malcolm orders men to throw their branches away • Start marching into battle with Macduff • Emphasis on Macduff needing revenge-this continues the suspense of the play

9. Scene vii • Macbeth and Macduff meet-Macbeth tells him that he’s been avoiding fighting him because he has too much blood on his hands • They fight-Macbeth makes fun of Macduff saying that no man of woman born can defeat him • Macduff reveals that he was “untimely ripped” from his mother • Here we have the second prophecy coming true

10. Scene vii • Macbeth is now scared • He doesn’t want to fight • Macduff says he’ll be known as a coward if he doesn’t fight • He attacks-Macduff kills Macbeth • Lady Macbeth originally got Macbeth to do all this stuff b/c she questioned his courage/manhood • He’s now been forced into battle because his courage has been challenged again

11. Scene vii • Rest of the lords enter • Siward is told that Young Siward had died • He was concerned with whether or not his son died bravely • Macduff enters carrying Macbeth’s head and proclaims Malcolm the King of Scotland-head symbolizes his loyalty to new King • Malcolm accepts and wants to improve the country • The End 