Macbeth+Act+5+-+6,7,8

Macbeth Act 5 Scenes 6, 7, and 8

Additions from: Amber Wolabaugh SUMMARY 5.6- Malcolm arrives with his troops to fight Macbeth.

5.7- The son of the English commander is killed by Macbeth and Macduff arrives shortly after to find him. Malcolm joins with Scottish rebels and takes the Dunsinane Castle.

5.8- Macduff finds Macbeth and at first Macbeth seems confident. Things change when it turns out that Macduff is not “born of woman” and he scares Macbeth and then kills him. He gives Malcolm the head of Macbeth, who is now declared King. This signifies the witches’ final prophecy being realized.

QUESTIONS Why was Macbeth unable to kill Macduff? He is a ruthless warrior, but something as little as superstition causes him to freak out and allow himself to be beaten by a seemingly lesser man. What happened to Fleance? Will he in fact end up becoming king?

THE LANGUAGE 5.6.10 “, ”

This is a really awesome quote because it captures the essence of battle and violence that is so prevalent throughout Macbeth. It makes the trumpets come alive as the bringers of death. This would have greatly shaken Macbeth, and contributed to his downfall.

“Why should I play the Roman fool” – Scene VIII, line 1 A Roman, when facing defeat, would commit suicide with his own sword. Macbeth refuses to do this when he comes to face Macduff. Macbeth refuses to give up his throne and would rather die, knowing the wrongs he has committed to get there. He wants to fight to the death and will only accept defeat once he his killed in battle, not before.

THE BIG IDEA · Fate and Free will · Macbeth is destined to die, no matter what – OR was he? Was Macduff killing Macbeth simply a fullfillment of the prophecy or was he really just stronger than Macbeth? · Ambition · Everyone wants to kill to be king · Appearance vs. Reality · The trees appear as though they are advancing · Change and transformation Sexual roles- everyone left alive is male Characters- The conflict between characters i.e. Macduff and Malcolm vs. Macbeth

CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT 1

Macbeth continues his descent into oblivion in the last scenes of the play. He allows his inhibitions and fears of the supernatural dictate his own death at the hands of Macduff. He has gone through an extensive transformation throughout the play, from a highly respected noble to a pathetic dead person with absolutely nothing. It brings up the feel of pity (or at least it should) in the audience.

Macduff – We learn a great deal about Macduff in these last few scenes. He is a valiant warrior, much like Macbeth, but he is fighting to avenge his family. It is revealed that he will be the downfall of Macbeth when he says that he was “from his mtoher’s womb untimely ripp’d.” Macbeth was prophesized by the witches to be killed by someone not of woman born. It is then that Macduff kills Macbeth and brings his head to Malcolm.

CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT 2 Malcolm serves as the foil for Macbeth in terms of character development because he rises to power as Macbeth falls. His development is the exact opposite and he becomes more powerful and more of a hero in the closing lines of the play, as he ascends to the throne.

Malcolm – At the beginning of scene VI, he is already growing in to his role as rightful king. As he is talking to his army, he is already using the royal ‘we’ as he says “worthy Macduff and we” (4). At the end of scene VIII, as he gives his speech now that he is king, he shows his gratitude towards his supporters. He makes the faithful earls and promises he will return order to Scotland in due time. He is already making great strides before even being crowned king. __Vocabulary__ cow’d my better part of man – crushed my spirit rabble – crowd

harbingers – one that indicates or foreshadows what is to come

__CONNECTIONS__


 * The 3 witches effectively destroy Duncan’s reign || Rasputin’s indirect destruction of the Russian Czar Nicholas II ||
 * Macbeth going insane and destroying his “empire” || Kaddafi’s insanity effectively destroying his own government ||

Macduff is able to defeat Macbeth as he was “from his mothe’rs womb untimely ripp’d.” The witches told Macbeth that he could only be killed by someone not from woman born.