| Macbeth Act V Questions 1. In the case of Lady Macbeth�s sleepwalking scene, Shakespeare seems to have anticipated, centuries ago, some of the most important psychological findings and insights of our own time, which deal with the symbolic interpretation of dreams and the effects of suppression of deeply buried feelings. Modern psychology holds that mental breakdown is often due to long-suppressed or repressed feelings, and that clues to the causes of such breakdown can be found in dreams. Lady Macbeth�s sleepwalking can be viewed as such a dream � a dream in motion, a nightmare being acted out. a. Consider the following actions of Lady Macbeth in her sleepwalking scene, as described in the words of those who watch her, and explain in terms of modern psychological theory why you think she performs these acts: (1) �I have seen her rise from her bed . . . take forth paper, fold it, write upon �t, read it, afterwards seal it, and again return to bed.� (Scene 1, lines 3 � 7) (2) �She has light by her continually; �tis her command.� (lines 20 � 21) (3) �Look, how she rubs her hands.� (lines 24 � 25) b. Read carefully Lady Macbeth�s actual utterances in her sleepwalking scene, beginning with line 32. Note how disjointed and disconnected they seen, as the events in a nightmare are disjointed and unconnected. Some of her statements express symbolically the causes and origins of her present condition. Identify these statements and explain the symbolism. (1) �Yet here�s a spot. . . . Out, damned spot! Out, I say! (lines 29, 32) (2) �Yet who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him?� (lines 35 � 37) (3) �The thane of Fife had a wife; where is she now?� (line 39) (4) �What, will these hands ne�er be clean?. . . Here�s the smell of the blood still: all the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand.� (lines 40, 46 � 47) c. Some of Lady Macbeth�s utterances appear to be repetitions of the words she actually must have spoken. Identify these utterances and indicate when she probably spoke these words in the past. (1) �One: two: why, then �tis time to do �t.� (lines 32 � 33) (2) �Fie, my lord, fie! A soldier, and afeard? What need we fear who knows it, when none can call our power to account?� (lines 33 � 35) (3) �No more o� that, my lord, no more o� that: you mar all with this starting.� (lines 40 � 42) (4) �Wash your hands; put on your nightgown; look not so pale: I tell you yet again, Banquo�s buried; he cannot come out on �s grave.� (lines 56 � 59) (5) �To bed, to bed; there�s knocking at the gate. . . to bed, to bed, to bed.� (lines 60 �62) d. In the light of her behavior and utterances in the sleepwalking scene, how would you finally explain the causes of her breakdown? Explain also why you think she, rather than Macbeth himself, broke down in this fashion. 2. What do we learn in Scene 2 of Act V about the military situation in the war to unseat Macbeth? 3. What conclusions about Macbeth�s state of mind can you draw from his speeches and behavior in Scene 3? Does he seem to feel secure or insecure as the opposing armies approach? Consider the significance of each of the following passages in your response. a. The passage beginning, �Bring me no more reports. . . .� (lines 1 � 10) b. His words and behavior toward the servant who brings news about the approach of the English. (lines 11 � 21) c. His soliloquy beginning, �I am sick at heart. . . .� (lines 22 � 31) d. His statement, �I�ll gfight, till my bones my flesh be hack�d.� (line 37) e. His order to Seyton, �Hang those who talk of fear.� (line 41) f. His conversation with the doctor about medicine and disease. g. His final statement: �I will not be afraid of death and bane Till Birnam forest come to Dunsinance.� (lines 68 � 69) 4. What plan of battle does Malcolm announce in Scene 4? What appears to be the best strategy for Macbeth, as Malcolm himself states it? 5. The first scenes of the last act have indicated that the nightmare world created by Macbeth�s first evil act is drawing to a close. The striking shifts of mood in Macbeth�s speeches are prompted by the rapid succession of events in the last scenes. Note the alterations of mood as they appear in the following speeches of Macbeth, and explain these shifts in the light of the events as they occur. a. The speech beginning, �Hang out our banners on the outward walls. . . .� (Scene 5, lines 1 � 7) b. The speech beginning, �I have almost forgot the taste of fears. . . .� (lines 10 � 16) Compare these remarks with his earlier soliloquy in Act I (Scene 3, lines 138 � 150) in which he describes how he reacts to the contemplation of the possible murder of Duncan. c. The speech beginning, �She should have died hereafter. . . .� (Scene 5, lines 19 � 30) d. The speech beginning, �If thou speak�st false. . . .� (Scene 5, lines 43 � 57) e. Macbeth�s successive speeches before and during his encounter with Young Siward. (Scene 7) f. Macbeth�s successive remarks to Macduff when they finally encounter one another. (Scene 8) 6. In what way does the conclusion of the play serve to dissipate the sense of nightmare that has prevailed? Note, in this connection, Malcolm�s last speech. (Scene 8, lines 71 � 86) 7. Malcolm calls Macbeth �this dead butcher,� and most readers will agree that Macbeth�s fate has been deserved. Did Shakespeare want us to view Macbeth exactly as Malcolm views him, or did he want us to have a different feeling about him? In your response, refer to the character and behavior of Macbeth as you have known him throughout the play. 8. a. What explanation does Malcolm offer for the death of Lady Macbeth? b. Malcolm characterizes Lady Macbeth as a �fiend-like queen.� Do you accept this characterization? Explain your answer. 9. Where do you think Shakespeare wanted us to lay the primary responsibility for Macbeth�s course of evil � on the witches? On Macbeth? On himself? Review the events of the play in considering your answer. |