Act 5 Study Questions

1. SCENE 1
1. They see Lady Macbeth sleep walking. She is walking around trying to wash the guilt off her hands, but the still 'smell of blood'. The Nurse has seen Lady Macbeth write out a note, read it  seal it away, and then return to bed. 
2. Lady Macbeth's hands are "stained" with blood. No matter how many times she 'washes' her hands, they won't get clean. She wants to forget that they killed Duncan, but she can't. 
3. She is guilty. She is so guilty that is is making her crazy. When she is sleeping she has no control over her actions. This guilt manifests its self by making her sleep walk and symbolically wash her hands. 
2. SCENE 2
1. The Scottish army is meeting to talk about when they are going to meet up with Malcolm and his army, so they can take down Macbeth. The two new characters that are introduced are Menteith and Caithness and they are both Thanes of Scotland. Because they are Thanes of Scotland, this shows that there are very few people left on Macbeth's side. 
2. It shows that there are Scottish people rebelling against Macbeth. 
3. Some think Macbeth is crazy, others that aren't that fond of Macbeth, think he is just valiantly angry. 
3. SCENE 3
1. He is mad. The thanes of Scotland deserted him, the doctor can't fix his wife, his servant keeps bringing him bad news about the approaching army, and he won't live the life of a peaceful old man. It kinda sucks to be Macbeth right now. 
2. Macbeth isn't afraid because he thinks he is invincible! Birnam Woods will never move closer to Dunsinane Hill. It's not possible for a man not to be woman-born. The soldiers are scared because even though Macbeth may be invincible, they aren't. They are also greatly outnumbered. 
4. SCENE 4
1. The soldiers are to cut down branches from Birnam Woods to hide themselves as they marched on to Dunsinane Hill. 
5. SCENE 5
1. She should have died later on. Perhaps after the war when he has time to mourn her death. 
2. Life is only a play. They are all just actors strutting about the stage. Macbeth says life is meaningless, he has basically given up. 
6. SCENE 6
1. The army finally reaches the castle, the third apparition spoke the truth. Malcolm, Siward and Macduff give their army a pep talk and they throw down their trees and storm the castle!
7. SCENE 7
1. Macebth kills Young Siward, Siward's son. Young Siward is English and because Macbeth killed him, he was born of a woman. It shows that even the English have to suffer to take down macbeth. 
8. SCENE 8
1. Macbeth encounters Macduff. They fight. Macbeth  
2. Macbeth would rather die then surrender. 
3. Malcolm is named the new king of Scotland