Macbeth Act 5 Summary with Key Quotes & English Subtitles

Macbeth Act 5
Summary of the Summary

Two new characters, a doctor and a gentlewoman observe Lady Macbeth sleepwalking in her bedroom. Lady Macbeth now feels burdened with guilt as a result of her past actions. She tries to remove imaginary blood from her hands. In her sleepwalking trance, she talks about the deaths of King Duncan, Banquo, and Lady Macduff. The doctor is shocked by what he hears and tells the gentlewoman to watch Lady Macbeth closely and to remove anything from the bedroom that could be used in a suicide attempt.

Malcolm, Macduff and the Siwards (father and son, leaders of the English soldiers) advance through the countryside toward Macbeth's castle. Their aim is to meet up with Scottish soldiers and then overthrow Macbeth.

Inside Dunsinane Castle, Macbeth receives word that many soldiers are deserting him. He doesn't care. He is told that 10,000 English soldiers are advancing toward his castle. He asks the doctor how his wife is doing. The doctor says that Lady Macbeth is experiencing hallucinations. Macbeth orders the doctor to cure her. The doctor is glad to leave the castle.

Macbeth feels secure inside the castle. He says that the attackers won't be able to get in and they will die of starvation. Macbeth is told that Lady Macbeth has died. It is implied that she jumped to her death. Macbeth compares life and death to a candle that is lit briefly and then blown out.

News arrives that Birnam Wood (a forest) seems to be walking toward the castle! The witches' prophecy stated that Macbeth would be undefeated until a forest advanced to his castle. Macbeth thought that meant he would NEVER be defeated because a forest cannot move. Now, he realizes that the prophecies were not a sign that he would NEVER be defeated.

Macbeth is going to die fighting. He will not die a coward. In fact, he orders his men to leave the safety of the castle and fight the invaders outside the castle walls. This was not a good decision.

Macbeth kills Young Siward. Macduff is looking for Macbeth. He feels he must avenge his family's murder by killing Macbeth personally. The two men fight and Macduff kills Macbeth offstage. Macduff reappears carrying Macbeth's head. Malcolm is acknowledged as the new King of Scotland. Malcolm announces that each of the loyal fighters will be given the title of "earl". Peace is restored in Scotland. The citizens and the land itself can now heal from the horrible reign of Macbeth.

The End

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