Act 5 Scene 9

Act 5 Scene 9

1. Macduff displayed Macbeth's severed head

   • Hails Malcom King of Scotland
   • Shocking image, poignant
     • Highlights the violence in the portrayal of conflict

2. Order is restored

   • 'Flourish'

3. Tragic flow and catharsis

   • 'dead butcher and his fiend-like queen'
     • Not a fair representation of Macbeth- not just evil
       • Sense of sympathy- tragedy- consequences of their actions
   • Allows for moral lessons- dangers of ambition/supernatural etc.
   • STRUCTURE
   • Allows for a retrospective view to be taken on Macbeth's character development
     • Change from a noble warrior to a dishonourable tyrant
       • His own actions have led to his downfall

4. Malcom as King

   • Royal 'we'
     • Rewards his nobles for their services
   • growth imagery
     • Similar to Duncan and Banquo
     • 'planted newly with the time'
       • Positive, nourishing image- restoring vitality to the country

5. CONTEXT

   • Gunpowder Plot happened a year before in 1605
     • Contemporary reference
       • King James I had two plots against him
       • conflicts and rebellion at the time
         • Punishments- hung, drawn and quartered