Act 5 scene 2-9
Summary of act 5 scene 2In act 5, scene 2, the thanes Monteith Caithness, Angus, and Lennox march with a company of soldiers toward Birnam Wood, where they will join Malcolm, Malcolm's uncle Siward and the English army. Malcolm and Siward led the English army towards the castle. Macbeth is ready to battle, he said he will not let defeated until Birnam Wood moves to Dunsinane
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SUMMARY OF ACT 5 SCENE 3 |
In act 5, scene 3, Macbeth rejects the report. By trusting the prophecies of the apparitions, Macbeth decides to battle. He says that he is not afraid since no man born from a woman will ever defeat him. When a messenger enters to announce the approach of the English army, Macbeth momentarily loses courage and then orders to have his armour to be put on. The Doctor tells Macbeth that Lady Macbeth has no cure with medicine. Macbeth ignores Lady Macbeth health and he only cares about the war.
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SUMMARY OF ACT 5 SCENE 4
In act 5, scene 4, the English armies under the leadership of Malcolm meets the Scottish armies at Birnam Wood. Malcolm orders each soldier to cut a branch and carry it in front of him as camouflage. Malcolm's uncle orders the armies to move forward, he also said that the only way to settle this is with violence.
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SUMMARY OF ACT 5 SCENE 6In act 5, scene 6, Malcolm and his troops have arrived and told his uncle to lead the first battle. Malcolm tells his uncle to act according to the plan. Macduff tells them to blow the trumpet when they are victorious.
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SUMMARY OF ACT 5 SCENE 7 |
In act 5, scene 7, Macbeth compares himself to a bear and he has a conversation with Siward's son. However, Macbeth kills Siward's son. Later Macduff, Malcolm, and Siward enter the castle and try to find Macbeth. Macduff yells and asks Macbeth to come out and he has to kill Macbeth with his own hand or his family will haunt him.
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SUMMARY OF act 5 scene 8
In act 5, scene 8, Macduff finds Macbeth and challenges him, but Macbeth tries to tell him not to waste his time because no man of a woman born can kill Macbeth. While they are fighting each other, Macduff says that he was not born from a woman, he was ripped from his mother's womb too early. Macbeth immediately knows that he cannot win, but he still makes an attempt to fight against Macduff. So they continue to fight to the death.
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ACt 5 scEne 9 |
In act 5, scene 9, Macbeth's head is shown. Malcolm has won the battle and he is also known as the new king in Scotland. Ross tells Siward and Malcolm that young Siward died courageously. Malcolm promises Macduff that he will be rewarded.
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Comments/ Notes
Question1
Why did Siward's son die so quickly in the play? Prediction1 Maybe Shakespeare decided to use him to show that there is a way to enter the castle. Also to show how Macbeth reacts to the enemies he sees. Question 2 When will Macbeth knows that Macduff is the one who will murder him? Prediction2 I think when he actually stabs him in the play. However, he did question himself about Macduff's birth before. Question 3 Is Fleance and Donalbain ever going to return back to Scotland? Prediction3 I think Donalbain will return later when he hears that Malcolm won the war. However, I think that Fleance might be joining the troops to kill Macbeth. However, he is not mentioned. Reaction to this play Throughout these scenes, many people die because of Macbeth. However, there are also new characters introduced. For instance Macduff's uncle.The saddest part of these scene is that Lady Macbeth dies and Macbeth still does know that he is going to die because of Macduff. |
ExtraHow do you feel in the beginning?
In the beginning of Shakespeare's play Macbeth, I did not like it, it did not get my attention at all. However, when the prophesies start to become true I became very curious if all Macbeth's prophecies will come true. The most interesting part of the play is act 4, scene 3. The reason is because this is where Malcolm tests whether Macduff Is loyal to Scotland or not. For instance, Malcolm tells Macduff that he will be the worst king of Scotland and he will make his people work hard enough for him. Who to blame? I think Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are the ones who I would blame because in the beginning it was Macbeth’s fault to believe the prophecies and it was Lady Macbeth’s whose encouragements lead him down this tragic path. However, I think that the Witches should be blamed too because they are the ones who told Macbeth the predictions about his life which causes Macbeth to fall into tragic path. Final Impression? My final impression of this play was not really excited because I know that Macbeth will die in the end. It will be better if Macduff dies instead so it will be more interesting. I am very curious why didn't the witches appear near the end of act 5. Also where is Fleance and Donalbain? I recall that the witches said that Fleance will be the future king therefore, I predict that he will come back to Scotland to become king. I think in order for Fleance to become the king there will be another war between Malcolm and Fleance. If that happens then I think that Macduff will be on Malcolm side because Malcolm helped Macduff to get revenge from Macbeth. Since, I predict that there will be another war then I don’t think that Macduff is going to rule the country in peace. I think Donalbain will never come back unless he feels safe to go back to Scotland. To make Shakespeare's books easier to read for student I would recommend them to used Spark Notes if they do not understand the scene. They can also go on YouTube to watch the scene that they that they don't comprehend to get a better understanding. There are also to two different versions of the play on this website that is located on the home page. The link to Spark Note is provided below this page. |