The time is free.

Macbeth: Act V
Scene 1
- Summary:
- A lady-in-waiting and a doctor discuss Lady Macbeths sleepwalking. As they are
speaking, Lady Macbeth enters, walking in her sleep. She rubs her hands repeatedly to
rid them of the blood that she imagines stains them. From Lady Macbeths words, the
onlookers infer that she and Macbeth murdered Duncan, but the doctor is afraid to
speak his suspicions.

- Reading Questions:
1. Why, according to the doctor, is Lady Macbeth walking in her sleep?

- Discussion Questions:
1. Theatrically, the spectacle of Lady Macbeth walking in her sleep is one of the most
striking scenes in the play. It is entirely Shakespeares invention, not found or
suggested in his source. Why do you suppose Shakespeare has her walk in her
sleep? How is this scene related to the remarks that Macbeth makes about sleep
in Act II, Scene 2, just after he kills Duncan?
2. In the sleepwalking scene, Lady Macbeth refers to many of her waking
experiences. For example, the words One: two may refer to the moment in Act
II, Scene 1, when she truck the bell, signaling Macbeth to go kill Duncan. Find
traces of other experiences in what she says and does while sleepwalking.

- Quotes:
1. To bed, to bed! Theres knocking at the gate.
Come, come, come, come, give me your hand! Whats done
cannot be undone. To bed, to bed, to bed! (V i 57-59)
Speaker:
Meaning:

Scene 2
- Summary:
- In the country near Dunsinane, the Scottish lords prepare to join forces with the
approaching English army to fight against Macbeth. The lords discuss their plans and
Macbeths reported state of mind.

1
The time is free.
Macbeth: Act V
- Quotes:
1. Those he commands move only in command;
Nothing in love. Now does he feel his title
Hang loose about him, like a giants robe
Upon a dwarfish thief. (V ii 19-22)
Speaker:
Meaning:

Scene 3
- Summary:
- Because of the witches prophecies, Macbeth feels confident that he is invincible inside
his castle. A servant brings news of an approaching army.

- Reading Questions:
1. In Scene 2, what opinion of Macbeth do the Scottish lords now hold?

- Quotes:
1. I have lived long enough. My way of life
Is falln into the sere, the yellow leaf,
And that which should accompany old age,
As honor, love, obedience, troops of friends,
I must not look to have; but in their stead
Curses, not loud but deep, mouth-honor, breath,
Which the poor heart would fain deny, and dare not. (V iii 22-28)
Speaker:
Meaning:

Scene 4
- Summary:
- Malcolm orders the soldiers to gather near Birnam Wood to camouflage themselves with
branches as they advance toward Macbeths castle.

2
The time is free.
Macbeth: Act V
Scene 5
- Summary:
- In his castle, Macbeth awaits the approaching army. An offstage cry is heard, and Seyton
enters with news that Lady Macbeth is dead. Depressed by the news, Macbeth delivers
his famous Tomorrow soliloquy, declaring that life is a tale told by an idiot, full of
sound and fury,/ Signifying nothing. When a messenger brings news that Birnam Wood
is approaching the castle, Macbeth realizes that the witches have tricked him and that
he is likely to be defeated.

- Reading Questions:
1. When does Lady Macbeth die?
2. What changes in his personality does Macbeth describe in Scene 5, lines 9-15?
3. In the speech in Scene 5 that begins Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow
(ll. 19-28), how does Macbeth describe life? What metaphors does he use?
4. What is Macbeths plan for dealing with the attacking troops? Why has he been
forced to choose this plan?

- Quotes:
1. She should have died hereafter,
There would have been a time for such a word.
Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,
To the last syllable of recorded time,
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Lifes but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing. (V v 17-28)
Speaker:
Meaning:

3
The time is free.
Macbeth: Act V
2. If thou speakst false,
Upon the next tree shall thou hang alive
Till famine cling thee. If thy speech be sooth,
I care not if thou dost for me as much.
I pull in resolution and begin
To doubt th' equivocation of the fiend
That lies like truth. Fear not, till Birnam wood
Do come to Dunsinane; and now a wood
Comes toward Dunsinane.Arm, arm, and out!
If this which he avouches does appear,
There is nor flying hence nor tarrying here.
I 'gin to be aweary of the sun,
And wish th' estate o' th' world were now undone.
Ring the alarum-bell!Blow, wind! Come, wrack!
At least well die with harness on our back.
Speaker:
Meaning:

Scene 6
- Summary:
- Upon reaching the front of Macbeths castle, Malcolm orders his troops to throw down
their camouflage and attack. Siward and his son are to lead, with Malcolm and Macduff
in reserve.

Scene 7
- Summary:
- On the field, Macbeth kills Young Siward. Macbeth exits with Macduff in pursuit. Old
Siward informs Malcolm that Macbeths castle has fallen, barely defended by his
disaffected subjects.

Scene 8
- Summary:
- Macduff confronts Macbeth, who at first refuses to fight him, warning Macduff that no
one born of woman can harm him. Macduff explains that he was not born of woman but
by Caesarean section. Macbeth again refuses to fight, but Macduff goads him by vowing
to place him in a cage and display him as a fallen tyrant. Their fight begins and continues
offstage. Ross reports to Siward that Young Siward has died bravely. Macduff returns

4
The time is free.
Macbeth: Act V
with the head of Macbeth and proclaims Malcolm king of Scotland. Malcolm promises to
restore peace and order to the land.

- Reading Questions:
1. How are the prophecies proclaimed by the three apparitions in Act IV, Scene 1,
fulfilled in Act V?
2. At the end of the play, what has become of Macbeth? Who becomes king?

- Discussion Questions:
1. The last act of Macbeth contains the plays climax the most emotional and
suspenseful part of the action the moment when the characters conflicts are
finally resolved. Which part of Act V do you consider the climax? Explain.

2. Shakespeare gave most of his tragic heroes an impressive dying speech in which
they say something significant about their own life ad death. Although he did not
write such a speech for Macbeth, which speech of Macbeths do you think serves
in the play as his dying speech? Why?

- Quotes:
1. I will not yield,
To kiss the ground before young Malcolms feet,
And to be baited with the rabbles curse.
Though Birnam Wood be come to Dunsinane,
And thou opposed, being of no woman born,
Yet I will try the last. Before my body
I throw my warlike shield. Lay on, Macduff,
And damned be him that first cries, Hold, enough!
Speaker:
Meaning:

2. The time is free. (V viii 55)