Macbeth act 5

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Lady Macbeth: “Out damned spot: out I say.” (5.1.30)

Lady Macbeth once thought that she would be able to wash herself clean of the horrors she once committed. This is not possible for she is so full of guilt that now her hands are completely covered in blood. Lady Macbeth feels as if she cannot escape the evils of her past, she is trapped in the evils of the present. Lady Macbeth is trapped even in her sleep of the evils she and her husband have committed.

Scene 2
Angus: “ Now minutely revolts upbraid his faith-breach./ Those he commands move only in command,/ Nothing in love. Now does he feel his title/ Hang loose about him, like a giant’s robe/ Upon a dwarfish thief” (5.2.18-22).

The lords know the Macbeth is hurt and tormented by his past actions, and he is fearful of those that follow his command not out of respect or love. They only follow him out of fear and simply out of duty. The lords have all turned on Macbeth. Malcolm has won the battle, and the Lords are aware of this. Angus knows that Macbeth’s title of King has effectively become worthless, and does nothing. Macbeth’s people have turned against him, Angus points out that Macbeth now knows the consequences of the murders he committed.

Scene 3
Macbeth: “ Bring me no more reports. Let them fly all./ Till Birnam Wood remove to Dunsinane/ I cannot taint with fear. What’s the boy Malcolm/ Was he not born of woman?” (5.3.1-4).
Macbeth does not listen to any of the reports regarding Malcolm’s army and his approach upon Dunsinane hill. Macbeth goes so far as to mock Malcolm as he was born of woman and cannot defeat Macbeth. Macbeth vaguely talks of how withered and empty his life has become. Macbeth has become fearless and cocky for he feels assured in the witch’s ...

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...o put Malcolm on the throne even greater. Macduff must be the one to kill Macbeth so that all those that were killed or hurt by Macbeth may be avenged. Macduff must do well by and for others as well as himself.
Scene 8
Macduff: Tell thee, Macduff was from his mother’s womb/ Untimely ripped. (5.8. 15-16)

When Macbeth informs Macduff of the prophecy, which Macbeth thinks, will protect him and will allow him to maintain hold over Scotland, Macduff now makes it know that he was not born of woman. The third piece of fate is now complete; Macbeth can be killed. Macduff becomes assured that he can defeat Macbeth for he was not born of a woman. With this new knowledge Macduff knows that he must be the one to kill Macbeth and secure Malcolm’s right to the throne. Macduff does kill Macbeth, being the only one able to do so and secure peace and prosperity for Scotland.

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