The Tragedy of macbeth

1. The Tragedy of macbeth Summary Act V

2. Act v scene 1 • The doctor and gentlewoman discuss Lady Macbeth’s strange behavior – her sleepwalking, talking of blood, and scrubbing her hands to remove spots of blood that only she can see. • “Out damn spot, out I say.”

3. ACT V scene 2 • Scottish lords discuss military tactics while Macbeth is secure in his castle. • Macolm and Macduff have 10,000 troops and they are waiting near Birnam Wood.

4. Act V scene 3 • Macbeth strolls about his castle as if he hasn’t a care in the world. • He believes that no man of woman born can harm him and is therefore, too confident.

5. Act v scene 4 and 5 • The English troops cut boughs from the trees of Birnham Wood and begin • To march toward Macbeth’s castle(think early camouflage). • Macbeth hears the news that his wife has taken her life. He seems • indifferent. • He is informed that “Birnam Wood is marching to the castle. He • remembers the prophecy and prepares to battle. • He is still confident in the 2nd prediction that no man of woman born will be • able to harm him.

6. Act v scenes 6-9 • Battle scenes – fighting, fighting and more fighting. • Macbeth kills young Siward and several other soldiers. • He is still believing the witches’ prediction that no man born of woman can harm him… • UNTIL…

7. ACT V SCENE 8 • Macduff informs Macbeth that he was not born of a woman – he was ripped from his mother’s womb. • Macduff defeats Macbeth in battle and beheads him. • Malcolm is declared King of Scotland.

8. Brief analysis Act v • When the final prophecy comes true and Macbeth is left to face reality, he sees what a fool he has been. “…Life’s 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.” • Macbeth, the tragic hero, let his desire for power take over and he ends up killing everyone & everything that mattered, leaving him with nothing.