Macbeth Notes Act V

Scene I

- A doctor and a waiting gentlewoman watch Lady Macbeth sleepwalking, for she has been asleep while Macbeth has been out in the field.
- Lady Macbeth has been sleepwalking and writing letters in her sleep as well
- The gentlewoman doesn't want to tell the doctor what Lady Macbeth has been saying in her sleep for fear of getting in caught
- Lady Macbeth seemingly to look like she's in a trance for her eyes are open but she is sleepwalking
- A light is on Lady Macbeth at all times now (how queer) and she's washing her hands
- There seems to be an invisible blood stain that she is trying to rub out of her hands
- "Out, damned spot! out, I say!" Famous quote
- Lady Macbeth refers to the murders: "The thane of Fife had a wife" and it's a burden on her shoulders, even though she had nothing to do with the murder
- Doctor tells the gentlewoman to keep a lookout for Lady Macbeth and to make sure she does not harm herself

Scene II

- Siward is the father-in-law of Duncan and the grandfather of Malcolm
- Macbeth no longer has control over the nobles
- Lennox, Caithness, Angus, Menteith, and the other soldiers march on
- All I know is that they sound as thought they are ready to shed blood for their country (Meh)

Scene III

- "The devil damn thee black, thou cream-faced loon! Where got'st thou that goose look?" "There is ten thousand--" "Geese, villain!" "Soldiers, sir" I laughed at this for not only is the insult very clever, but Macbeth is just such an overdramatic character that I find it humorous "lily- liver'd boy"
- Servant warns Macbeth that an army is headed towards him
- Macbeth comes to terms with this and vows to fight with all his might
- Seyton is introduced and brings Macbeth his armor
- The doctor informs Macbeth of his wife's mental illness and Macbeth simply tells him to fix it
- However, the doctor tells him that her solution lies within her and Macbeth is unhappy about this and scorns medical art
- Macbeth seems restless in this scene and the doctor wants nothing more than to ditch this neighborhood

Scene IV

- Meanwhile in a country near Burnam wood...
- English forces unite with Scottish lords near Burnam wood
- Malcolm orders for his men to cut down boughs in order to conceal the numbers of the army
- War is approaching

Scene V

- An overconfident Macbeth has trusted his castle to keep him safe
- There is a sudden noise, which was reported to be that of the cry of women
- Seyton brings the news that Lady Macbeth is dead
- Macbeth mourns over the loss of his wife and contemplates suicide before a servant brings him out of his soliloquy
- The servant tells Macbeth that he saw the forest begin to move (the soldiers are camouflaged)
- Macbeth doesn't believe him: "If thou speak'st false, upon the next tree shalt thou hang alive"
- Macbeth, in despair, saddles out to meet those who have betrayed him (he knows this must be a losing battle for him)

Scene VI

- A short scene of the soldiers preparing to attack
- There isn't really much to say about this scene so... quack

Scene VII

- A Young Siward confronts Macbeth and asks for his name for which Macbeth tells him
- "The devil himself could not pronounce a title more hateful more hateful to mine ear." "No, no more fearful."
- They fight and Macbeth kills Young Siward
- The others prepare to enter the castle

Scene VIII

- Macduff finally meets up with Macbeth, who has been avoiding Macduff because he knows that he is already guilty for murdering his family
- They begin to fight while exchanging harsh words at one another
- Macduff: "Painted on a pole and underwrit, 'Here may you see the tyrant.'
- Ross tells Siward that his son was found dead and Siward mourns, but is proud of his son's bravery
- Macduff enters with Macbeth's head in his hand (Whoa there)
- "Hail, King of Scotland!"
- Ross closes the play with his monologue aaaaand Fin.