Macbeth
ACT 5 SCENE SUMMARIES
Act 4 Summary
 Macbeth confronts the three Weird Sisters and they show
him more visions. The visions lead Macbeth to believe
that he cannot be killed by any man, giving him a false
sense of security. He then plans to send murderers to the
castle of Macduff (who is in England ) in order to kill his
family.
 Meanwhile, Macduff is in England begging Malcolm to
return to Scotland and seize the throne from Macbeth
who has become a tyrant. Malcolm tests Macduff's loyalty
to Scotland and himself, and after being satisfied with
Macduff's responses, he agrees to wage war against
Macbeth. Malcolm's uncle (Siward) will also aid in the
attack.
5:1 – Macbeth’s Castle at Dunsinane
 Characters: Doctor, Lady Macbeth‘s attendant,
Lady Macbeth
 Action: Lady Macbeth is sleepwalking and washing
her hands. The Doctor and her attendant watch and
discuss.
 Staging: Lady Macbeth must have a light near her.
 Problem or Solution: Problem—Lady Macbeth
has slipped fully into insanity, and now she is a
danger to herself.
5:2 – Outside Dunsinane
 Characters: Mentieth, Caithness, Angus, Lennox
 Action: The men gather the troops, discussing how
Macbeth is getting ready for attack.
 Staging: none in particular
 Problem or Solution: neither OR beginning of
Solution, as Macbeth will soon be facing his demise
5:3 – Inside Macbeth’s Castle
 Characters: Macbeth, Doctor, Seyton
 Action: Macbeth still clings to hope that the
prophecies are true, but calls for his armor in order
to fight. The doctor tells Macbeth about Lady
Macbeth’s ―disease.
5:4 – Birnam Wood
 Characters: Malcolm, Mentieth, Siward, Macduff
 Action: Malcolm orders the men to cut down part of
a tree to disguise themselves moving closer to
Dunsinane.
 Staging: lots of soldiers with branches
 Problem or Solution: Solution—By the soldiers
holding the branches of Birnam Wood, they will
ascend on Dunsinane, making the third apparition‘s
words come true
5:5 – Inside Macbeth’s Castle
 Characters: Macbeth, Seyton
 Action: Macbeth learns that Lady Macbeth is dead;
a messenger announces Birnam Wood is coming.
Macbeth vows to die fighting.
 Staging: Inside the castle, flags of Scotland
 Problem or Solution: Solution—Lady Macbeth is
now dead, seemingly out of her misery. Macbeth
braces himself for attack.
5:6 – Outside Macbeth’s Castle
 Characters: Malcolm, Siward
 Action: The soldiers continue to advance, now
without the branches.
 Staging: men should be tattered from fighting,
should have weapons
 Problem or Solution: neither
5:7 – Inside Macbeth’s Castle
 Characters: Macbeth, Young Siward, Macduff
 Action: Macbeth kills Young Siward and feels
temporarily better; Macduff shows up
 Staging: men in armor
 Problem or Solution: Solution—Macbeth feels
comforted knowing that Young Siward was not able
to kill him
5:8 – Outside Macbeth’s Castle
 Characters: Macbeth, Macbeth, Siward, Malcolm
 Action: Maduff fights with and kills Macbeth, later
enters with his head on his sword; Siward learns his
son was killed; they declare victory and head off to
crown Malcolm king.
 Staging: Macbeth’s head on Macduff’s sword
 Problem or Solution: Solution—Macbeth the
tyrant is finally dead and now Malcolm can be king.
Act 5 Summary
 Lady Macbeth has finally gone mad with guilt over the
murders. The once strong and ruthless woman is now a
scared child. Doctors are unable to help her.
 Some of the Scottish lords are discussing Macbeth's state
of mind and have come to the conclusion that they will
help Malcolm and Macduff fight against Macbeth. Of
course, Macbeth isn't really concerned because the
prophecy, he believes, insures that he cannot be killed by
any man born of woman.
 Macbeth soon confronts Macduff and learns that
Macduff was ripped from his mother's side (c-section)
and not born naturally. Thus, Macbeth is killed by
Macduff, just as Macbeth had conquered the other Thane
of Cawdor. Malcolm then becomes the rightful King of
Scotland