Act V Macbeth Review

What is a "Harbinger"?

A person or thing that signals or announces what is to come.

What does "arbitrate" mean?

An unbiased judge who settles an argument

What literary element is present in "speak'st"?

Syncope, which is used to shorten the word so the writer can meet the meter.

Why does Macbeth feel confident after killing the Young Siward?

He feels confident because he believes that no one who was born of a woman can kill him. After killing him, he is assured that he is unstoppable and on top of the world.

What does Macbeth realize about the Weird Sisters?

He realized that the witches had manipulated his way of thinking. They didn't tell him lies, but they also weren't really true. He understands that they told him things that have double meanings.

What does Malcom say in his peaceful speech at the end of Act V? What is the effect it has in the play?

He says that he will reward his loyal subjects and will honor the thanes with a new title, "earl". He talks about how he will invite those who left during Macbeth's reign to come back into the Kingdom. They will slowly restore the kingdom. The effect of the speech in the play is very quick. It immediately goes from having a lot of action to a very straightforward solution. It doesn't match the effect of the actions made throughout the play.

Who says, "What's the boy Malcom? Was he not born of woman? The spirits that know all mortal consequences have pronounced me thus: "Fear not, Macbeth No man that's born of woman shall e'er have power upon thee" ? (V.iii.3-7)

Macbeth

How does Macbeth react to the death of his wife?

Macbeth begins a very depressing monologue. He describes how he should've died after the battle because he has no time to mourn now. He says that there is no point to life because death is inevitable and you have no control. He makes a metaphor to how life is like being in a play because you have no control over your life.

Why does Macbeth decide to fight after saying how he will stay inside the castle?

Macbeth decides to fight because he refuses to wait to be killed. Since he believes life means nothing, he does not believe in waiting for death.

Who says, "I have no words ; my voice is my sword, thou bloodier villain than terms can give thee out"? (V.viii.6-8)

Macduff

Why do Siward and Macduff begin to speak with heroic couplets in Act 5, Scene 6?

Shakespeare has given them the honor to speak in heroic couplets. They have developed throughout the play to finally use this level in language.

What did Lady Macbeth confess in her sleep?

She confessed to killing King Duncan, Banquo and Macduff's family.

How did Macbeth and Lady Macbeth switch roles?

Lady Macbeth has started to feel more guilty by hallucinating that she has bloody hands. However, before this happened, Lady Macbeth made fun of Macbeth when he was imagining having blood on his hands. She has become weaker while Macbeth has become more ruthless.

Who says, "A great perturbation in nature, to receive at once the benefit of sleep and do the effects of watching"? (V.i.7-8)

The Doctor

Why are there few men who stay "loyal" to Macbeth?

The majority of the lords have joined forces with Malcolm. The few who have stayed "loyal" to Macbeth are scared of his wrath. They are not vocally against him, but do not see him as the true king.

Why does Siward ask if his son was hurt in the front of his body?

The reason why is because if his wounds are in the front of his body, it means he was fighting his enemy. This would show that he died as a warrior.

How far would the Scottish rebels go to "heal" Scotland?

They will sacrifice their blood to heal their country. They will do anything to save Scotland from the tyrant king, Macbeth. Their determination is clearly shown when Caithness says, "Meet we the med'cine of the sickly weal, and with him pour we in our country's purge each drop of us" (v. ii.27-29).

When Macbeth says, "I will not yield to kiss the ground before young Malcolm's feet and to be baited with the rabble's curse", what literary element is present? (V.viii.28-30)

This is a tragic flaw because Macbeth would rather die than be humiliated and be Macduff's prisoner.

What literary element is present in this quote: "Look after her. Remove from her the means of all annoyance and still keep eyes upon her" ? (V.i.62-64)

This is an example of Foreshadowing. Here, the doctor clearly expresses concern that the gentlewoman should make sure that she doesn't try to hurt herself. Towards the end of Act V, Lady Macbeth will kill herself.

What literary element is present in this quote: "If thou couldst, doctor, cast the water of my land, find her disease, and purge it to a sound and pristine health, I would applaud thee to the very echo that should applaud again"? (V. iii.50-54)

This is an example of irony. Macbeth is asking the doctor to find and remove the disease out of Scotland. However, Macbeth is unaware that Scotland's disease is really him.

What literary element is present in this quote: "Now does he feel his title hang loose about him, like a giant's robe upon a dwarfish thief"? (V. ii. 20-22)

This is an example of simile. Angus is saying that the robe a king wears does not fit Macbeth because he is not a true king.

What does "censures" mean?

To criticize or disapprove of severely

What does "hew" mean?

To make of shape by cutting with an ax

What does "usurper" mean?

To seize power or possessions illegally

Were the Weird Sisters prophecies equivocations?

Yes. In the prophecy, the Birnam Wood technically went to Duninsane because Malcolm's army would camouflage and march there. Macbeth would technically die from someone who wasn't born from a woman because Macduff was born via c-section.