Act V

Scene I

Dunsinane. A room in the castle.

A Doctor of Phisic and a waiting gentlewoman enter talking of having watched for two nights for Lady Macbeth to sleepwalk again. They speak of her actions and demeanour whilst she is in this state – eyes wide open with no apparent recognition or sensory response.

Lady Macbeth enters with a taper, rubbing her hands as though washing them, (previously this has been known to continue for a quarter of an hour). She speaks fragmentarily of blood on her hands, circumstances around the killing of Banquo and of the killing of Macduff’s family; later fully disclosing information of the deeds her and Macbeth have committed. The gentlewoman, concerned as to whether or not they should continue to listen to Lady Macbeth, eventually coaxes her to bed.

Scene II

The country near Dunsinane

Menteth, Cathnes, Angus, Lenox and soldiers enter with drums and colours. They speak of Macbeth’s tyrannous behaviour and their belief that he is no-longer worthy of his title. They then march on towards Birnam.

Scene III

Dunsinane. A room in the castle.

Macbeth enters with the Doctor and attendants. Recalling the premonition made by the witches that ‘no man that’s born of woman shall e’er have power upon thee’; Macbeth believes he is somewhat invincible. After briefly feeling remorseful over his terrible behaviour, he dons his armour and prepares for battle. The Doctor tells Macbeth of his wife’s ill health, to which he instructs him to cure her, followed be him dismissing him uncaringly.

Scene IV

Countryside near Dunsinane, a wood in view.

Malcom, Macduff et al disguise themselves with boughs cut from the woods in order for them to advance on the castle undetected.

Scene V

Dunsinane: within the castle.

Macbeth believes his castle walls will hold and that those trying to attack will starve and perish. He remembers a time, different from now, that the sound of the women in the castle wailing and screaming through fear would have stirred his senses – pumping his body full of adrenalin and making him feel alive. After learning of his wife’s death he shows little emotion, only commenting that it was the wrong time for her to have died.

A messenger enters to tell Macbeth of a peculiar sight he has seen, that the wood began to move! This worries Macbeth and he recalls the premonition made by the witches ‘Fear not, till Birnam wood do come to Dunsinane’. With this in mind he rallies his soldiers into leaving the castle to fight (thus enabling the prophecies to come true).

Scene VI

Dunsinane – a plane before the castle.

Malcom, old Siward, Macduff and army enter with drum, colours and boughs. Malcom instructs the army to throw down their disguise showing their true selves to the castle and then to lead the first attack.

Scene VII

Dunsinane – another part of the plane.

Young Siward enters asking for Macbeth’s name. He is not frightened to learn the man before is Macbeth and challenges him, young Siward is killed and Macbeth exits. Macduff then enters swearing that he will avenge his family or their ghosts will persist to haunt him. Malcom and old Siward enter briefly to update Macduff on the battle, all then enter the castle in search of Macbeth.

Scene VIII

Dunsinane - another part of the field.

Although Macbeth’s castle has been penetrated and his people killed, he still believes he is untouchable and continues on. After a brief notion of remorse when coming into contact with Macuff, he precedes to fight and ultimately dies. ‘No man that’s born of woman shall e’er have power upon thee’ is upheld as Macduff was prematurely ripped from his mother’s womb, and therefore not technically ‘born of woman’.

Scene IX

Within the castle.

Malcom, old Sirward, Rosse, thanes and soldiers enter with drum and colours. They speak of their sadness over loved ones lost, but of their pride in their honourable departure. Macduff enters with Macbeth’s head and Malcom is hailed as the new King of Scotland. All are delighted with the outcome of the battle.

End of the play

~Kendra