Notes on Macbeth

Act 5 Scene 1 Lady Macbeth, haunted by Duncans murder, is seen sleepwalking by a Gentlewoman and Doctor. Lady Macbeths thoughts and feelings (1) Unlike earlier moments in the play, where Lady Macbeth speaks in blank verse (reflecting her command of situations and revealing her steel-edged determination to realise her ambitions), here she speaks in prose. Such a stark contrast in style supports her breaking down psychologically, where the lack of iambic pentameter helps create a sense of disjointedness in what she is overheard saying. She is a pale reflection of her former self. (2) The fact that tis her command that she has light by her continually (20f) suggests her fear of God and damnation. According to the Bible, God is light. Because of her involvement in Duncans murder, Gods anointed ruler, she has caused the Natural Order to become broken, resulting in her falling out of Gods light and favour. The Doctor acknowledges this when he states more need she the divine than the physician (66). However, the light she now sees by is one of her own creation. Instead of confessing what she has done, seeking forgiveness and accepting the consequences of her actions, she has internalised her guilt and allowed it to fester and sicken her mind. (3) Her description of Hell as being murky (32) could be referring to the castle where Duncan was murdered. What once was her home, a peaceful refuge, has become a hellish reminder of her treachery. In turn, her unnatural deeds (63) have infected (64) her mind and caused her to start breaking down mentally. She is living a hellish existence where she cannot escape her thoughts; ever re-living the moment of Duncans murder, and feeling a deep sense of guilt for her part in it. (4) Earlier (2.2.40-43), Macbeth describes sleep as being sore labours bath and a balm of hurt minds. Yet here, for Lady Macbeth, there is no such peace as she is reliving the moment when the Natural Order was broken by Duncans murder. According to the Doctor, her sleepwalking is a great perturbation in nature (8), which to him is evidence that she is guilty of a great crime. (5) Although she seems disrespectful of Duncan (the old man (35)), her use of a question shows her shock at the fact that he had so much blood in him (35), where his blood could symbolise his nobility and God-given right

to rule. In turn, the reference to much blood could emphasise the gravity of her and Macbeths crime. Whilst she believes that she is too powerful to be judged and condemned by man as none can call [hers and Macbeths] power to account (34), God can and will for killing His chosen king. (6) Despite claiming earlier that, a little water clears us of this deed (2.2.70), Lady Macbeth is haunted by visions of Duncans blood. Not only can she see it (What, will these hands neer be clean? (39)), she can smell it too (44). Her realisation that all the perfumes of/Arabia will not sweeten this little hand causes her deep anguish and clearly demonstrates the fragility of her mental state. (7) Also, Lady Macbeth seems terrified of being found it. Repetition of to bed and the imperative verb come (58-60) suggests that her mind is overrun with fear. The damned spot is ever present. However, is she reliving the murders of Banquo and Duncan and her words to Macbeth or is she trying to convince herself that all will be well?

The way other characters react to her (1) The Doctor realises that Lady Macbeths disease is beyond [his] help (51) and admits that she is more in need of the divine than his skills as a physician (66). Perhaps he has never before contemplated that such vile crimes as Lady Macbeth alludes to having committed or been a party to could occur. (2) The Doctor sees Lady Macbeths behaviour as unnatural (8) and convinced that it is indicative of some heinous, unspeakable crime (71). (3) He is mated and amazd (70) and greatly disturbed by the conclusions he has drawn: that Lady Macbeths unnatural troubles (64), which have caused her heart to be sorely charged (46), are born of unnatural deeds (63).

What makes the relationship between Lady Macbeth and Macbeth so important Lady Macbeth could not bring herself to murder Duncan as he resembled/[her] father as he slept (2.2.12f) she relied upon Macbeth to do so. Up until this moment in the play, Lady Macbeth appears to be strong-willed and determined, whereas Macbeth is weak and double-minded. If only Macbeth had stood firm in his honourable resolve to not murder Duncan (1.7.31), neither of them would be

in the position they are now. However, as Macbeth appears to grow in selfconfidence and self-sufficiency, bolstered by the Weird Sisters prophecies, Lady Macbeth becomes more fragile and isolated as she descends into mental illness. It is ironic that in this scene she falls foul of her own words spoken in 2.2, where she warns Macbeth that these deeds must not be thought/After these ways; so, it will make us mad (36f). Ambition has driven them apart and is now destroying them.

Act 5 Scene 5 Macbeth learns of Lady Macbeths suicide and that Birnam Wood is coming towards Dunsinane. Macbeths thoughts and feelings (1) Macbeths self-confidence is revealed when he boldly claims that his castles strength/Will laugh a siege to scorn (2f). Shakespeares use of personification demonstrates how firmly Macbeth holds to his misguided belief that, since no one can impress the forest, bid the tree/Unfix his earthbound root (4.1.94f), he will never be defeated. However, the Messengers words cause Macbeth to begin to doubt th equivocation of the fiend/That lies like truth (42f). (2) Although he notes the cry within, it does not alarm or startle him, since, by his own admission, he has suppd full with horrors (13) and almost [forgotten] the taste of fears (9). Ambition and the consequences of seeking to satisfy his thirst for power have left Macbeth seemingly fearless and unfeeling. However, the adverb almost suggests that there are still some things Macbeth is afraid of the Weird Sisters powers and prophecies, perhaps? (3) The opening lines of his soliloquy suggest that he is affected by Lady Macbeths suicide. If only it had happened hereafter, then he would have been able to mourn her death (16f). As it is, he cannot afford spending time doing so current events simply will not allow him to. Furthermore, the fact that he shares Seytons line suggests that he is quick to respond to the news and is actually angered by the timing of her death and laments the fact that he does not have time for such a word (17) since he is too preoccupied with thoughts of battle. (4) For Macbeth, life has become empty, meaningless and void of all hope. The metaphor, brief candle reveals just how fragile Macbeth sees life as being in the light of Lady Macbeths death. He goes on to personify it

when he describes it as being nothing more than a walking shadow; of no substance. This is ironic because he could be described as a shadow of his former self since giving in to vice, allowing ambition to cloud his judgement, and losing his wife. (5) Macbeth becomes reckless at the news that the wood [has begun] to move (34). His sudden desire to engage Macduff on the field of battle (45), despite not having enough troops, is ironic. By leaving the safety of his castle, Macbeth ends up fulfilling the witches prophecies. He becomes fatalistic when he admits that I gin to be weary of the sun (48) he no longer values his own life and cares not whether he lives or dies. What makes the relationship between Lady Macbeth and Macbeth so important Having learned of Lady Macbeths death, Macbeth concludes his soliloquy by claiming that life is a tale/Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury (25f). Despite all of his sound and fury, in the face of the prophecies coming true, Macbeth perhaps realises that, without his wife, his life is like that of the idiot or poor player meaningless. Perhaps this causes him to become reckless. The scene ends with Macbeth stating that at least well die with harness on our back (51). Death is not only inevitable but also welcomed.