The Renaissance Period {1485-1660​}

ACT 5!

Characters We Met Today!:

Doctor, concerned for Lady Macbeth’s safety, but there isn’t anything he can do about her current condition

Gentlewoman, takes charge of making sure nothing bad happens to Lady Macbeth

Menteith, a soldier against Macbeth

Caitness, a soldier against Macbeth

Seyton, a messenger and soldier for Macbeth

Siward, Old man and soldier against Macbeth, leads the charge against Macbeth

Young Siward, Old Siward’s young son, also leads charge against Macbeth

Summary! 

Act V, scene i: Lady Macbeth is sleepwalking and admits, in her sleep, that she and Macbeth are responsible for the murders of King Duncan, Banquo, and Macduff’s family. She even tries to wash the blood off of her hands as she sleeps. A doctor and gentlewoman hear her confession. The doctor tells the gentlewoman to watch Lady Macbeth in fear she will hurt herself. The doctor also says that he is not able to help her because she is not ill, just feels guilty.

Act V, scene ii: The Scottish lords prepare to meet with the English army in order to fight against Macbeth. The lords discuss Macbeth’s reported state of mind.

Act V, scene iii: Because the witches said that no one born of a woman can harm Macbeth and that he would not be defeated until Birnam Wood comes to his castle, Macbeth feels safe hiding in his castle. He feels this security even though a servant warns him of the approaching army.

Act V, scene iv: Malcolm orders the soldiers to camouflage themselves as they walk up to Macbeth’s castle.

Act V, scene v: Macbeth is in the castle waiting for the approaching army when he hears a cry. Seyton enters with news of Lady Macbeth’s death. Depressed by the news, Macbeth delivers his famous soliloquy, “Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage…” (see page 377, lines 25-28) A messenger comes in and tells Macbeth that Birnam Wood is coming toward the castle (remember the prophesy that Macbeth would be defeated when the Wood came to the castle). Macbeth realizes that he has been tricked by the witches and that he will probably be defeated in this battle.

Act V, scene vi: Malcolm orders the soldiers to take off their camouflage and attack. Siward and his son, Young Siward, will lead the attack while Malcolm and Macduff are in reserve.

Act V, scene vii: Macbeth and Young Siward meet. Young Siward tells Macbeth that he hates him, but Macbeth explains that there is not a thing Young Siward can do about him because no one born of a woman can hurt Macbeth. Macbeth then kills Young Siward (off stage). Meanwhile, Macduff goes after Macbeth to get his revenge.

Act V, scene viii: Macbeth and Macduff meet. Macbeth says that he will not be like a Roman and kill himself when he is cornered, but he does not want to fight Macduff. Macduff tells him that he has two choices, he can fight or be locked in jail (a cage) and be subject to public ridicule. Macbeth decides to fight but warns Macduff that he cannot be hurt by anyone born of a woman. Macduff says that he was ripped from the womb too early (born c-section); therefore, Macduff is not considered to be born of the woman. Macduff then takes Macbeth off stage and beheads him. After Macbeth’s death, Ross tells Siward that his son has been killed in battle, but Siward is proud that his son died a hero. Malcolm is then crowned the true king and vows to restore peace and order to the land.