ENG4U Macbeth THE END - ACT 5

Act 5, Scene 1 Setting: Macbeth’s Castle Who is in the scene? Lady Macbeth Doctor Gentlewoman   What happens in the scene? A doctor and gentlewoman discuss Lady Macbeth’s strange habit of sleepwalking Lady Macbeth enters in a trance with a candle in her hand Lady Macbeth moans about the murders of Lady Macduff and Banquo Lady Macbeth thinks there is blood on her hands and claims that nothing will ever wash it off – illusion stems from her guilt The doctor and gentlewoman watch this and marvel at her descent into madness The doctor says to watch her and keep her away from anything that can harm her

Act 5, Scene 2 Setting: Outside the castle Who is in the scene?   Who is in the scene? Group of Scottish lords (Menteith, Caithness, Angus, Lennox, and Soldiers) What happens in the scene? Scottish lords discuss the military situation: the English army approaches, led by Malcolm, and the Scottish army will meet them near Birnam Wood apparently to join forces with them The “tyrant” as Lennox and the others call Macbeth, has fortified Dunsinane Castle and is making his military preparations in a mad rage

Act 5, Scene 3 Setting: Castle at Dunsinane Who is in the scene?   Who is in the scene? Macbeth Servant Seyton Doctor Attendants What happens in the scene? Macbeth is boasting proudly that he has nothing to fear from the English army or from Malcolm, since “none of women born” can harm him and since he will rule securely “[t]ill Birnam Wood remove to Dunsinane” (4.1.96; 5.3.2) Macbeth calls his servant Seyton,who confirms that an army of ten thousand Englishmen approaches the castle Macbeth insists upon wearing his armor, though the battle is still some time off The doctor tells the king that Lady Macbeth is kept from rest by her madness, and Macbeth orders him to cure her of her delusions (Line 40)

Act 5, Scene 4 Setting: Country near Birnam Wood Who is in the scene?   Who is in the scene? Malcolm English lord Siward What happens in the scene? Malcolm talks with the English lord Siward and his officers about Macbeth’s plan to defend the fortified castle They decide that each soldier should cut down a bough of the forest and carry it in front of him as they march to the castle (disguising their numbers)

Act 5, Scene 5 Setting: Castle at Dunsinane Who is in the scene?   Who is in the scene? Macbeth Seyton Messenger What happens in the scene? Within the castle, Macbeth is shouting orders that banners be hung and boasts that his castle will repel the enemy A woman’s cry is heard – Lady Macbeth is dead Macbeth speaks numbly about the passage of time and declares famously that life is “a tale / Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, / Signifiying nothing” (Lines 25 – 27) A messenger enters with astonishing news: the trees of Birnam Wood are advancing toward Dunsinane Macbeth recalls the prophecy that said he could not die till Birnam Wood moved to Dunsinane

Writing Prompt #11 The Trouble with Tragedy Act 5, Scene 1 Describe what is happening to Lady Macbeth in this scene. Why is she so troubled? How has she changed since the beginning of the play? Does her change say anything about the theme of ambition in the play? What would you do for your ambition? How do you differ from Lady Macbeth?

Writing Prompt #12 Sound and Symbols in Soliloquy Act 5, Scene 5 One of the most well known soliloquies in all of Shakespeare’s plays is the one delivered by Macbeth in Act 5 after learning of Lady Macbeth’s death (5.5.20-31). Who is Macbeth talking to (himself, the audience, Seyton)? What is Macbeth saying in this speech? What is Macbeth’s state of mind at this point in the play? What is the symbolism of the candle?

Act 5, Scene 6 Setting: Outside the castle Who is in the scene? Malcolm Macduff Siward Soldiers What happens in the scene? Outside the castle, the battle commences. Malcolm orders the English soldiers to throw down their boughs and draw their swords.

Act 5, Scene 7 Setting: Battlefield Who is in the scene? Macbeth Lord Siward’s son What happens in the scene? On the battlefield, Macbeth strikes those around him vigorously, insolent because no man born of woman can harm him. He slays Lord Siward’s son and disappears in the fray. Macduff emerges and searches the chaos frantically for Macbeth, whom he longs to cut down personally. He dives again into the battle. Malcolm and Siward emerge and enter the castle. Elsewhere on the battlefield, Macbeth at last encounters Macduff. They fight, and when Macbeth insists that he is invincible because of the witches’ prophecy, Macduff tells Macbeth that he was not of woman born, but rather “from his mother’s womb / Untimely ripped” (5.10.15–16). Macbeth suddenly fears for his life, but he declares that he will not surrender “[t]o kiss the ground before young Malcolm’s feet, / And to be baited with the rabble’s curse” (5.10.28–29). They exit fighting. Malcolm and Siward walk together in the castle, which they have now effectively captured. Ross tells Siward that his son is dead. Macduff emerges with Macbeth’s head in his hand and proclaims Malcolm King of Scotland. Malcolm declares that all his thanes will be made earls, according to the English system of peerage. They will be the first such lords in Scottish history. Cursing Macbeth and his “fiend-like” queen, Malcolm calls all those around him his friends and invites them all to see him crowned at Scone (5.11.35).

Review of Act 5 Lady Macbeth, while sleepwalking, reveals her knowledge of the deaths of Duncan, Lady Macduff, and Banquo. Her continual washing of her hands cannot ease her dread or make her feel cleansed. The doctor and attendant realize they cannot help her (i). Macbeth is too involved with battle preparations against Malcolm and English and Scottish troops to spend much time considering his wife's dreams. (iii). When he hears of Lady Macbeth's death, he contemplates that life is "full of sound and fury, signifying nothing." He reassures himself with the predictions only to see the woods advance when Malcolm's soldiers camouflage themselves with boughs from Birnam Wood (v). Macbeth sees the ambiguity of the predictions but goes bravely into battle. He kills young Siward who dies fearlessly (vii). and then faces Macduff who tells him that he was not "of woman born" but was "untimely ripped" from his mother's womb. Finally realizing the true implications of the predictions, Macbeth refuses to yield to Macduff and face capture and ridicule. He confronts Macduff and bravely fights to the death. Macduff displays the "usurper's cursed head" and acclaims Malcolm the new King of Scotland (viii).

Writing Prompt #13 You Talkin’ to Me? Pick 3 significant quotes from the play. List who said it, to whom, under what circumstances and why it’s important. Now consider which one you find the most powerful or most important to the play (i.e. helps the plot, creates mood, develops character). Write a paragraph defending your position. If you can, incorporate other parts or quotations from the play in your defense.

Writing Prompt #14 Create a collage that represents a character in Macbeth. Write a two page paper (double spaced) explaining why you chose to represent your character the way you did. Use themes, symbols, and references from the play. Be creative with the collage. Show me your point of view and your idea of the character in your collage. Use pictures and words that represent the character. Think critically. Use symbolism. In the essay explain why you chose to represent the character this way. What theme, symbols, and quotes from the play support your view of the character? Write a short essay about your character, using the play to support your thesis. Your writing should convey a clear opinion on the topic. This is a formal essay so do not write in first person. Your essay should be 2 pages double-spaced and should include a cover page and page numbers. On your cover page, please include a title that states what the essay is about, your name, my name and the date. Your collage should be creative. It should not consist of all obvious pictures of the character. Portray your character using modern pictures, symbolism and words.

TO DO LIST Reread your ISP assignment Begin editing and organizing your work Review Act 4 & 5 for the upcoming test. The test will be made up of 11 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions