Macbeth Act V

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Macbeth Act V

• Guided Reading and Notes

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Act V, Scene 1 Guided Reading Questions

• Why does the gentlewoman refuse to repeat what
  Lady Macbeth has been saying?
• Why does Lady Macbeth demand to have a light by
  her side at all times (both literally and
  figuratively)?
• What OTHER physical action is Lady Macbeth
  attempting to do in this scene?
• Put together everything Lady Macbeth is saying.
  What does it all add up to be?
• At the end of the scene, what is the doctors
  biggest concern for Lady Macbeth?

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Act V, Scene 1

• RESOLUTIONin a tragedy it contains the
  catastrophe and the climax
• Climaxoccurs near the end of a tragedy and
  explains how the internal and external conflicts
  are solved
• Climax usually results in a change in
  characteristics in major characters and/or a
  solution to a problem
• Catastropheusually results in the death of the
  hero

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Act V, Scene 1

• Lady Macbeth is sleepwalking in the beginning of
  the Act.
• First time anyone (besides the audience) has seen
  her apparent breakdown
• Gentlewoman has seen her do this several times
• Gentlewoman refuses to repeat what she is saying
• She could be afraid of repercussions
• She needs a witness

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Act V, Scene 1

• Lady Macbeth carries a candle (sometimes called a
  taper or a light)
• She demands to have it by her side at all times
• She is afraid of the dark
• When her light goes out, so does her life
• Lady Macbeth attempts to wash her hands in this
  scene
• Compare to Act II
• Not enough perfumes in all of Arabia to wash
  the smell from her hands

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Act V, Scene 1

• Lady Macbeth is speaking, but it is confusing and
  mixed up
• She is giving details about the murders
• She is confessing
• The doctor reports that there are rumors about
  unnatural deeds that have bred unnatural troubles
• He is concerned that Lady Macbeth will harm
  herself

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Act V, Scene 2 Guided Reading Questions

• Where will the Scottish forces meet the English
  forces led by Malcolm?
• What is a hint that Macbeth knows he is in
  trouble?
• What are the rumors that are floating around
  about Macbeth?

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Act V, Scene 2

• The Scottish rebels that Ross spoke of in Act IV
  explain that the English troops (with Malcolm at
  their lead) will meet them in the Great Birnam
  Wood
• Macbeth seems to know that he is in danger
• He has fortified the castle at Dunsinane
• There are reports that Macbeth is going mad

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Act V, Scene 3 Guided Reading Questions

• What action (or inaction) shows that Macbeth is
  losing control?

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Act V, Scene 3

• Macbeth displays a great deal of anger toward all
  of the people around him
• Repeats the prophecies from Act IV and exhibits
  his tragic flaw of overconfidence
• Macbeth seems out of control over everything in
  his life
• Cannot seem to get dressed in his armor
• Ironic since he is a trained soldier

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Act V, Scene 3

• The doctor voices the same opinion of all people
  in Scotland
• He wishes he could leave Scotland. He would not
  return until Macbeth were gone. And all the
  money in the world could not change his mind.

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Act V, Scene 4 Guided Reading Questions

• What order does Malcolm give to help camouflage
  the troops? From the top of the hill, what will
  this look like?

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Act V, Scene 4

• Malcolm orders all of the soldiers to Hew him
  down a bough (cut down a large tree branch) and
  beart before him (carry it in front of him) to
  use as camouflage while marching up Dunsinane
  Hill
• From the top of the hill (with 10,000 soldiers
  carrying large branches) it will appear as if the
  woods are moving

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Act V, Scene 5 Guided Reading Questions

• How does Macbeth react to the news of Lady
  Macbeths suicide?
• When Macbeth receives the report that the woods
  appear to be moving, what does he vow?

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Act V, Scene 5

• Macbeth still seems to believe that he is
  invincible.
• Thinks his castle is well-fortified
• Doesnt seem to know (or care) that people are
  fighting FOR him only out of dutynot out of
  loyalty
• News of Lady Macbeths suicide stirs very little
  emotion in him

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Act V, Scene 5

• He does refer to the emptiness of life
• She should have died Hereafter when he would
  have time to mourn her
• Notice the reference to the candle!
• Macbeth grows agitated and vows to die on the
  battlefield rather than hiding in his castle

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Act V, Scene 7 Guided Reading Questions

• How does Macbeth react to the death of Young
  Siward?
• What news does Siward report concerning the
  soldiers in the castle?

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Act V, Scene 7

• Young Siwards death restores Macbeths
  confidence in the prophecies
• He cannot be killed by anyone born of woman
• Siward reports
• The castles gently rendered (the people in the
  castle have surrendered easily)
• Many of the soldiers who were fighting FOR
  Macbeth are now fighting on the rebels side

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Act V, Scene 8 Guided Reading Questions

• When Macbeth first encounters Macduff, what does
  Macbeth say to him?
• What news does Macduff deliver that is the final
  blow to Macbeths confidence?
• What happens to Macbeth? Give specific details.
• Who is proclaimed king? What are his first two
  orders?

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Act V, Scene 8

• Macbeth is determined to die on the battlefield
  rather than waiting on the sidelines
• Shows Macduff some compassion by saying he has
  enough Macduff blood on his hands and saying he
  will not fight him
• Also brags about the prophecy that he is a
  charmed man
• Macduff was from his mothers womb/ untimely
  ripped

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Act V, Scene 8

• Macduff beheads Macbeth and returns with his head
  mounted on a pole
• Malcolm is proclaimed king of Scotland
• Unites England and Scotland (another tribute to
  James I) by renaming all Thanes as Earls
• Invites all exiles back to Scotland (people like
  Fleance)