Act 5 Scene 1

Lady Macbeth is going mad due to her guilt. She is observed in her chamber by her maid and a doctor. They are growing suspicious about what she is saying. MACBETH NOT THERE. The loyalty between them is broken.

Ambition has divided them, and there has been a role reversal.

Lady Macbeth is now gripped by guilt and insanity, not ambition.

The spot is a symbol and metaphor for her guilt.

Commanding the spot out (juxtapose that with commanding M and the spirits earlier). Reference to hell – she is aware of her wrongdoing and has a conscience. Repetition of fear. (contrast with I shall not be tainted with fear).

“will these hands ne’er be clean”?

The word choice of clean is associated with purity, she knows she is damned. Link to Shakespeare’s message r.e. regicide.

Repetition of blood and references to blood.

“all the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand” Hyperbole and word choice of little – she is vulnerable, diminished.

Ambition and power corrupt you.

“plague” “disease” metaphors . Just as a disease/plague is deadly, difficult to stop, has sweeping effects and contaminates those around so Macbeth and LM’s actions have done the same.

Lm: “what’s done cannot be undone” links Macbeth

Cyclical structure is present because all that Macbeth warns of occurs later.

Act 5 Scene 3

Macbeth is absolutely determined not to give up. Compare this Macbeth to the one at the beginning.  

“Give me mine armour. How does your patient, doctor?” Care of his wife is second to his care for battle. Word choice of patient – compare to “my dearest (superlative).

Macbeth is stoic : “I will not be afraid of death and bane”

Act 5 scene 4

 The battle prep with Malcolm etc.

Act 5 is fragmented as the scenes alternate between Macbeth and the impending invaders. This shows that his power is waning/ weakening.

Act 5 Scene 5 Macbeth finds out his wife has died.”She have died thereafter” has a double interpretation, one showing him to be callous, the other kinder.

“tomorrow…Out, out brief candle.

Just as a candle is…

This is Macbeth’s views on life.

Life buts a walking shadow . Just as a shadow…is consumed by darkness.

 

Macbeth tells his messenger : “liar and slave!” Macbeth is incorrect – IRONY.

Act 5 scene 6

Siward refers to Macbeth as a “tyrant”. (repetition)

Act 5 scene 7 : Macbeth refers to himself as a “bear” , not regal.

Siward: “abhorred tyrant”

“dead butcher and his fiend like queen” fiend

fiːnd/

noun

noun: fiend; plural noun: fiends

1.    1.

an evil spirit or demon.