Act 5 Summary Flashcards
Start of act 5
The action of the play speeds up dramatically in this act, and lots of loose ends are tied up. Guilt has taken its toll on Lady Macbeth who has began sleepwalking and trying to run stains from her hands. The doctor is unable to help her
Middle of act 5
Malcol and a group of scottish lords are outside Macbeths castle, waiting for English troops to bolster their army. In an attempt to disguise numbers, each man cuts down a branch and plans to karch towards the castle with a branch in front of them.
End of act 5
Lady macbeth at her wit’s end, kills herself, but Macbeth seems numb to the news, focusing more onthe imminent attack from malcolm. He believes the prophecy and still feels safe in the knowledge that he cannot be harmed by any man born of woman. Macbeth finally encouters Macduff, and learns he was born via Caesarean section. They leave the stage fighting. In the final scene, Macduff leaves the castle carrying the severed head of Macbeth, a clear statement he has defeated the tyrant. Restoring the natural order.
