2. Why Are Macbeth and Lady Macbeth There?

MacbethName______

Act 5 Study guideNelson

Act Five, Scene 1

1. What is Dunsinane.?

2. Why are Macbeth and Lady Macbeth there?

3. What does the Lady-in-Waiting report about Lady Macbeth?

4. Lady Macbeth’s strange behavior can be linked to past events in the play. Find an example for each of these:

a. Macbeth’s letter to her

b. Duncan’s murder

c. Macduff’s family’s murder

d. Banquo’s murder

5. What is it that she craves that is the antithesis for her earlier needs? WHY?

6. What does the doctor fear concerning Lady Macbeth?

Act Five, Scene 2

1. What do Malcolm, Macduff and Siward have in common?

2. What are the rumors concerning Macbeth?

3. Angus says of Macbeth, “... he feels his title of King draped loosely around him, hanging like a giant’s robe on a dwarf-like thief.” EXPLAIN.

Act Five, Scene 3

1. How does Macbeth reassure himself that he will not lose his kingdom to Malcolm?

2. What does Macbeth’s servant announce?

3. How does Macbeth treat him AND what does this say about Macbeth’s state of mind?

4. What does Macbeth believe he should have in old age?

5. What does he have instead?

6. How does Macbeth react to the news of Lady Macbeth’s illness?

7. Macbeth says that the upcoming battle will do one of two things. EXPLAIN.

Act Five, Scene 4

1. What is Malcolm’s plan to surprise Macbeth’s soldiers?

2. What shape are Macbeth’s troops in? WHY?

Act Five, Scene 5

1. Macbeth reacts to Lady Macbeth’s death with this quote, “She should have died hereafter; there would have been time for such a word.” Explain the TWO possible interpretations of this quote.

2. In Macbeth’s famous soliloquy on p. 163 he compares life to several things. LIST them.

Example: Life is a path to dusty death

3. DEFINE: enigma

4. What is Macbeth’s state of mind at the end of the scene when he discovers the troops are moving to Dunsinane?

Act 5, Scenes 6-7

1. Whom does Malcolm get to lead the siege on the castle?

2. Why is Macbeth so certain he will not be killed?

3. What good news does Siward give to Macduff?

4. What is important about the way young Siward dies?

Act 5, Scene 8

1. Macbeth learns the circumstances of Macduff’s birth and its importance to him. EXPLAIN.

2. When he discovers this, what does he accuse the witches of?

3. What happens to Macbeth?

4. What are Malcolm’s first orders as king?

5. How does Malcolm believe Lady Macbeth died?

6.What does Malcolm’s ascension to the throne mean for Scotland? What could this possibly as far as one of the themes of Macbeth is concerned?