Macbeth - Act 5

Macbeth - Act 5

1. Lady Macbeth sleepwalks

   • She has been driven mad by guilt and fear
   • She carries a candle with her - she's afraid of the dark
     • "has light by her continually"
     • This is ironic because in Act 1, Scene 5 she welcomes the darkness
       • "Come, thick night"
   • She attempts to wash imaginary blood off her hands
     • "Out, damned spot!"
     • Hand-washing represents her guilt and contrasts with her attitude in Act 2, Scene 2
       • "A little water clears us of this deed"

2. Preparing for battle

   • Macbeth's soliloquy
     • "I have lived long enough"
       • Suggests Macbeth is beginning to despair even though he thinks he's invincible
       • He admits his actions have been worthless
   • Macbeth seems to be going mad
     • He tells Seyton to help him put his armour on but then says "Pull't off"
       • He is confused and unbalanced
         • His mental state matches Lady Macbeth's
   • Malcom orders his soldiers to cut down trees to disguise their numbers
     • The audience realise that the Witches have tricked Macbeth
       • His defeat seem inevitable
   • The English army calmly discuss their battle plan
     • This shows they are in control
       • This contrasts Macbeth and his behaviour in Scene 3 with Seyton

3. Macduff VS Macbeth

   • "my soul is too much charged"/"With blood of thine already"
     • Macbeth feels guilty about killing Macduff's family
       • He's still got some humanity left
   • Macbeth thinks he can't be harmed by anyone "of woman born"
     • Macduff reveals he was born by Caesarean section
     • Macbeth accepts that he has been mislead by the Witches
       • Fate and Free Will
   • Macbeth is trapped, but he refuses to back down despite the fact he's doomed
     • This reflects his bravery in Act 1

4. Lady Macbeth's death

   • She dies offstage
     • This shows how unimportant she's become
   • Macbeth begins boasting and full of bravado - nothing can frighten him
     • "supped full with horrors"
     • This attitude changed when he's told his wife is dead
   • Macbeth realises the Witches tricked him and he was too trusting of them
     • This is ironic considering his betrayal of Duncan, who trusted Macbeth
   • "Signifying nothing"
     • He realises his terrible acts had no purpose
   • Macbeth decides to attack the approaching army
     • A reminder of the fearless warrior he was in Act 1