Fall of Macbeth Act V

Servants! peasants! Slaves! they all make me sick. How dare them bring me false reports of Malcolm's army against Scotland? True or false, they are all still born of a woman! I can't even imagine that i felt the slightest pain on my wife's passing. The doctor could diagnose her or some strong medicine to relieve her of her insanity. Who cares? she was to die any way. It's all true about the woods... i can see miles away that the woods have crossed their way to Dunsinane. I'm not a coward and i shall fight. I can not deny that that is set clearly before my eyes. It's indeed the army of England. I kill them- they are all born of a woman, though i have doubts about the weird sisters. I'll face them and see who is the real man, there is Macduff, he shall be the second on my kill-list. I'm a man and shall die like a man if need be, running leaves me no legal. If this is the last day i live to see then let it be but there is no turning back.

Macbeth Act IV

There is no telling what I've done to Scotland that was once the garden of eden and now the land of Babylon. Such a great thane i was and an untouchable man of valor that now i tremble at my enemies flee to England. At this momentum epoch, i could care less what happens but rather my safety shalt be the priority. My weird behavior and mental torment; getting ghosts for visitors has kept me up on sleepy days. I met the three witches to foresee my fate and to my advantage i was guaranteed victory and reign as the true king of Scotland. "The power of man, for none of woman born shall harm Macbeth" Yes!! and so shall it be for all of time. How could the Birnam woods moves its way to Duns-inane? I'm surrounded by traitors such as Mac duff. At this point i don't really care who dies. All those bloody cousins that fled to England. Curses be their only console and comfort. I am the King of Scotland, Ive come along way, committed atrocities that the devil himself could not think of. Look at these hands, and the smell of blood that has become my oxygen. My wife and i are no longer Romeo and Juliet. Damned be the day that i laid my hands on innocent Duncan. What's done is done, am a man and there nothing i trading for this crown!

Act 4 Scene IV Questions

This scene contains the murder of lady Macduff and her children.

1. Why do you think Shakespeare includes a scene showing the relationship between Lady Macduff and her son?
2. This the first murder to be committed on stage. What effect does this have on the audience?

3. Why do you think Shakespeare finds it necessary to create this effect at this particular point in the play?

Question 2:
Despite the fact that Lady Macbeth and Macbeth finally achieve the ultimate goal, 'the crown' they however are not content with their accomplishments.
All this is reflected on both characters as they depict a great deal of remorse especially in the early stages of their reign as heads of Scotland.

"Naught’s had, all’s spent,

Where our desire is got without content.

'Tis safer to be that which we destroy

Than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy." (Act III, scene ii - lines 6-9)

On the other hand, Macbeth encounters a lot of pressure and mental torment for reasons regarding the security of the throne and the innocent blood of the deceased King 'Duncan' that he so coldly spills scenes back in the play. He deliberately decides to isolate himself from the rest of the characters, constantly meditating upon his evil deeds and fear takes control of him. This in a way eventually deprives him of sleep, leaves him on the verge of insanity and denies him a peace of mind.

"Ere we will eat our meal in fear, and sleep

In the affliction of these terrible dreams

That shake us nightly.........torture of the mind to lie.......Treason has does his worst...him further." (Act III, scene ii, lines 20-29)

Question I:
After the murder of His Majesty King Duncan and the rise of Macbeth to the throne, in a significant way causes change in the altitude and psychological well being of Macbeth. At this point Macbeth deliberately isolates himself; he experiences a great deal of torment, fear, remorse, mental torture and sleep deprivation.

"How now, my lord! Why do you keep alone,

Of sorriest fancies your companions making,

Using those thoughts which should indeed have died"

"What’s done is done." (Act III, scene ii lines 10-14)

Macbeth also grows increasingly suspicious and insecure of men around his company in and out of the palace; most especially Fleance and Banquo that he decides to kill as well to stand in a better position of reigning as king of Scotland.

"We have scorched the snake, not killed it." (Act III, scene ii lines 15)

"we must lave our honors in these flattering streams,

And make our faces vizards to our hearts,

Disguising what they are."  (Act III, scene ii lines 34-37)

"First murderer

But who did bid thee join with us? Third murderer Macbeth" (Act III scene iii)

This extract clearly shows how Macbeth is distrustful of every one around him. 

Act III scene ii

1. In what ways has Macbeth changed since the murder?
2. In what ways do each of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth show that the crown has not brought a piece of mind?

"Duncan's sons should never have left Inverness"

Discuss as Macbeth if you think Duncan's sons should have left Inverness after their father's death or stay behind to witness the unfolding of the future's events.

Most definitely, i have already abused my position and been disloyal; also  betrayed and taken the life of King Duncan. All this i blame upon myself and my disgraceful, merciless and inconsiderate woman i have for a wife.  It makes me believe that, had they not have gone as far as they have already now, couldst' my wife also lay down a plot for them as well since they are by nature royal. I'm left to think that it was a wise decision that the two sons of my ceased Lord left Inverness and perhaps fled to an anonymous destination. That way, it makes it harder to be aware of their where abouts, I still have doubts that they are suspicious of my involvement in the murder of their father.

Waking and Summoning from sleep

Following the tragic death of King Duncan in Act II, scene iii we clearly see a theme of summon develop in the play Macbeth  where Macduff present at Inverness (Macbeth's castle) out of all grief and chock at the assassination of His majesty King Duncan; scream at the top of his voice in efforts to wake noble men, sons and servants of the kingdom in order to summon them about the sudden dreadful incident that befalls Scotland unexpectadely. (lines 70-90 pg. 328-329)

Lady Macbeth also at this point contributes to summoning and waking from her "plastic sleep" as she puts on quite a show displaying a great amount of hypocritic grief and chock over the death of King Duncan. The sons (Malcolm and Donalbain) of the deceased King appear on set; also waking from their sleep and at a crucial moment where there has been treason and betrayal in the kingdom, the two sons left on set whisper in a disguisive manner leaving the castle as soon as possible. (lines 136-147 pg. 330-331)

Sleep and Death

The theme "Sleep and Death" is highly portrayed in the play Macbeth; where we witness at the beginning of Act II, scene ii- at Macbeth's castle, the murder of His majesty, King Duncan. It's from sleep that gives Macbeth and Lady Macbeth the carry on to execute their assassination plot when King Duncan goes to sleep. Though Lady Macbeth cowardly hesitates ("my father as he slept, I had done 't") to execute her initiated plan she continuously persists on the idea as to being the "rightful" thing to do, Macbeth goes ahead and befalls death upon King Duncan; therefore clearly depicting the theme of sleep that leads to death.


We also encounter in the same scene that Macbeth faces the two guards that where already asleep; and as he passes by them, they wake up and sleepily cry out"murder" thus shaking his already shaken personality. Macbeth takes it upon himself to deprive them the breath of life. He murders them so as to cover up the evidence that's left behind; another clear portrait of sleep and death in Macbeth. (pg. 324)