Act 5 Flashcards
Summary of Act 5: Scene 1
-Bemoaning the murders of Lady Macduff and Banquo, she seems to see blood on her hands and claims that nothing will ever wash it off.
-She leaves, and the doctor and gentlewoman marvel at her descent into madness.
Key ideas in Act 5: Scene 1
-“All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand,” nothing can fix her actions, heightens her remorse for her actions.
-“What’s done cannot be undone,” she is more vulnerable and less dominant and strong.
Summary of Act 5: Scene 2
-The English army approaches, led by Malcolm, and the Scottish army will meet them near Birnam Wood.
-Macbeth has fortified Dunsinane Castle and is making his military preparations in a mad rage.
Key ideas in Act 5: Scene 2
-“He cannot buckle his distemper’d cause within the belt of rule,” metaphor highlighting how his journey to the throne is not valid.
-“Like a giant’s robe, upon a dwarfish thief,” sneaky, suspicious, maximised secrecy, undeserved role- taken it by force.
-“To dew the sovereign flower and drown the weeds,” they have no choice but to rebel against this embodiment of evil, foreshadows Macbeth’s death to come.
Summary of Act 5: Scene 3
-Macbeth proudly boasts that he has nothing to fear from the English army.
-Macbeth insists upon wearing his armour, though the battle is still some time off.
-Macbeth orders the doctor to cure Lady Macbeth for her delusions.
Key ideas in Act 5: Scene 3
-“No man that’s born of women,” repeated what the witches have said, hubris, his ambition to maintain great strength is his ‘fatal flaw.’
-“Throw physic to the dogs; I’ll none of it,” sense of disillusionment and deterioration of his mental state. Macbeth is in a state of despair, believe medicine has no purpose.
Summary of Act 5: Scene 4
-The English lords and army officers come up with plans to attack Macbeth efficiently.
-They decide that each soldier should cut down a bough of the forest and carry it in front of I’m as they march to the castle, thereby disguising their numbers.
Summary of Act 5: Scene 5
-Macbeth orders that banners be hung and boasts that his castle will repel the enemy.
-Seyton appears to tell Macbeth that Lady Macbeth is dead.
-Resignedly, he declares that he is tired of the sun and that at least he will die fighting.
Key ideas in Act 5: Scene 5
-“To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow,” he is pondering about his cycle of life, nihilistic, believes that life is now meaningless.
-“Life’s but a walking shadow,” perhaps indicating that time is a manipulation for the meaning of life, the darkness of life is following him.
Summary of Act 5: Scene 6
-Outside the castle, the battle commences. Malcolm orders the English soldiers to throw down their boughs and draw their swords.
Key idea in Act 5: Scene 6
-“Worthy Macduff,” like Duncan called Macduff, “worthy Macbeth,” ironic.
Summary of Act 5: Scene 7
-On the battlefield, Macbeth strikes those around him vigorously, insolent because no man born of woman can harm him.
-Macduff emerges and searches the chaos frantically for Macbeth, whom he longs to cut down personally.
Key ideas in Act 5: Scene 7
-“Abhorred tyrant,” ruthless, detested tyrant, Macbeth has become despicable and a murderer who would do whatever is necessary to get things his way.
-“Let me find him fortune! And more I beg not,” Macduff’s ambition has increased to kill Macbeth.
Summary Act 5: Scene 8
-On the battlefield, Macbeth at last encounters Macduff.
-Macduff tells Macbeth that he was not of woman-born.
-Macduff emerges with Macbeth’s head in his hand and proclaims Malcolm King of Scotland.
Key ideas in Act 5: Scene 8
-“Why would I play the Roman fool, and die on mine own sword?” He is determined to fight Macduff, despite realising that he has lost the battle. He rejects the idea of committing suicide, conveying how he is a warrior at heart.
-“My soul is too much charged,” he admits that he feels guilty for the death of his wife and children.
-“Untimely ripp’d,” Macbeth realises that Macduff is not woman-born, so for his own safety he steps out,
-“I will not yield,” chooses life over death.
-“God’s soldier,” Macbeth used to be acknowledged for his valiant efforts.
-Rhyming couplet at the end (“Grace”, “place”, “one”, “Scone”), portrays the stability of the monarch and the country. Before, when the country was seen to bleed, now natural order has been brought back.
