ELA B10Name: ______

Date: ______

Macbeth Act VAssignment

ACT V scene 1

  1. Lady Macbeth seems to have instigated the actions that her husband eventually took. Why is she now so disturbed by the results of what she has done? Did she misjudge her husband? Herself? The consequences?
  1. The doctor announces that Lady Macbeth’s “illness” is “beyond my practice”. Is he being truthful or could he just be protecting himself? What do you think is his diagnosis?

ACT V scene 2/3

  1. Lennox has changed sides suddenly. Is he a spy for either Macbeth or Malcolm? Or is he a coward who wants to be on the winning side? Why has he abandoned Macbeth?
  1. In lines 22-31 (scene 3), Macbeth explains his unhappiness who how things have turned out. Who do you think he blames? Who do you think is actually to blame?

ACT V scene 4/5/6

  1. What does Malcolm tell every soldier to do? What does he hope this will do? Which of the witch’s prophecies does this fulfill? How?
  1. Macbeth’s speech on lines 19-30 in scene 5 is probably the most famous speeches in the play. What do you think it means? Do you think it shows that he loves his wife or is he talking about life in general?

ACT V scene 7/8

  1. It seems like it was very easy for Malcolm to defeat Macbeth’s army. Why do you think this is?
  1. Why does Macbeth keep holding on to the witches prophecies even when they are coming to pass in ways that are horrible to Macbeth (for example, he still believes he is invincible even though Birnam Wood has come to Dunsinane)?
  1. Macbeth has 3 choices in the end: surrender, commit suicide, or fight to the death. Why do you think he rejects the first 2 and goes for the third choice? Do you think that he’s trying to die a heroic death or do you think he feels doomed no matter what choice he makes?
  1. Macduff goads Macebth into fighting him by calling him a coward, much like Lady Macbeth did near the beginning of the play. Why would Macbeth not want to be called such a name?

ACT V scene 9

  1. Do you think it is necessary that we hear about how Siward’s son died in battle? What function does this information serve? Would it be missed if it were left out?
  1. The witches seem to have disappeared… or have they? Imagine they are waiting to start the process all over again. What would their plans be this time?
  1. Do you think Malcolm will be a just and fair king, given what he said to Macduff earlier? Even though he took back what he said about his personality, do you think he can be believed and trusted?