Scene II Lady Macbeth example essay topic

Form IV - MacBeth ACT I Scene I All the super natural happenings in act one revolve around the three witches. From the very first line they speak of their power to control the elements. In the first two questions the witches imply they " re able to determine the weather for their next meeting. The prophecy is mentioned in the answer of the previous question. First witch: "Where the place?" Second witch: "Upon the heath" Third witch: "There to meet Macbeth" They know already that they are going to meet Macbeth upon the heath after the battle and before sunset. Their sinister intentions are conveyed in the closing two lines of the scene.

Their favourite element is the filthy air / fog a sign of confusion. They use their paradoxical slogan; "Fair is foul and foul is fair" is a neat summary of their morals and provides something of a commentary on the play as a whole. This lack of moral values is soon to be embraced by two more characters in the play. (Macbeth & Lady Macbeth) Scene II The reason behind this scene is to give information about Macbeth as a warrior. To that end the emphasis is on blood and gore, i.e. the bloody soldier comes on stage to tell Duncan that his cousin Macbeth has beaten McDonwald's army. Macbeth is portrayed as being as brave as he is blood-thirsty.

His enjoyment of his slaughtering of includes ripping the chief of his enemies, from the stomach upwards was beyond the call of duty. Crucially he is made Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth is a furious; it is his nature. It is ironic because he has no problem killing enemies but will find it very nerve racking killing his cousin Duncan, epitomizing the struggle he has with loyalty. Scene This scene starts with three witches on a heath talking to each other and thinking of what treachery they could get up to. Then Banquo and MacBeth enter and the first witch hails Macbeth as the Thane of Glam is, which he is, then the second witch hails him as the Thane of Cawdor whom he has just been made (though he does not yet know it) after the battle.

Then most surprisingly to MacBeth the third witch hails him as the King of Scotland. However just to make things even more confusing the witches say that Banquo will have sons who will be kings. MacBeth says to Banquo 'Your sons will be kings' ( This was a carefully designed sop by Shakespeare as his play would have been staged for King James I, a direct descendent of Banquo) and Banquo replies 'You shall be king'. This shows two things, how confused they are and how much rivalry there will be between them because if Banquo's sons become kings then how can MacBeth's sons become king? Then Ross and Angus enter and tell them that the Thane of Cawdor has been sentenced to death because of his part in the recent rebellion. This leaves the position open for MacBeth, which would put him one step removed from kingship.

Then we see MacBeth talking aside to himself in a soliloquy and we see his first thoughts of killing Duncan. IMPORTANT The witches telling MacBeth that he would become Thane of Cawdor and king of Scotland. Scene IV This scene opens with Duncan asking Malcolm whether the execution of the Thane of Cawdor had been done yet. Malcolm heard word back that it was but didn't actually see the body. He was being executed because of treason and had admitted to his treasons before being executed. When Macbeth enters, he acts in a very loyal manner toward Duncan, telling him that his duties lie with him and the state.

Banquo, Duncan and Macbeth then talk together about all the loyalty and friendship that they have for one another. Duncan then declares Malcolm Prince of Cumberland (and thus heir to the throne). Duncan sees Malcolm as a noble person and he feels that he deserved to become Prince. Macbeth feels bitter and makes out that he has to either let this stand in his way or go one better and become something better than Malcolm. IMPORTANT: Duncan naming Malcolm Prince of Cumberland Scene V Inverness Castle The scene opens with Lady Macbeth reading the letter Macbeth has sent her telling of the encounter with the witches. "This have I thought good to deliver thee, my dearest partner of greatness".

Lady Macbeth fears that Macbeth won't seize the opportunity sent his way "I do fear thy nature / It is too full o' th' milk of human kindness / To catch the nearest way". She appreciates his need of encouragement "This thou must do". Just then a messenger arrives and tells of Macbeth's approach closely followed by the king himself. Having ordered the attendant to make ready Lady Macbeth delivers one of the great speeches of the play. It is in the form of a soliloquy during which she implores the gods to "unsex me here" and render her cruel and mischievous so she might engage well with the murderous designs before herself and her husband. Macbeth enters, confirms what the servant had said regarding the king's arrival that night and his intention to leave the next day.

Lady Macbeth assures him the sun shall never rise again while Duncan lives (i.e. they " re going to kill him that very night). She hints at their crime by saying the king "must be provided for" but cautions Macbeth to carry on as before, as if nothing is wrong, saying "Leave the rest to me". IMPORTANT: Lady Macbeth's malicious nature and determination to see her husband King of Scotland using whatever means - the fouler the better - as are necessary. Scene VI Inverness, outside Macbeth's castle Duncan opens the scene somewhat ironically in complementing the castle for its fresh air, it being good for one's health and Banquo agrees describing the air there as 'delicate'. Even more ironically Duncan thanks and apologises to Lady Macbeth when she appears for the trouble to which he has put her in arriving at such short notice. She assures him he is to think nothing of it.

Duncan then wonders on Macbeth's whereabouts and praises him for an excellent horseman and insists "we do love him highly / And shall continue our graces towards him". IMPORTANT: Duncan's feelings towards Macbeth, Lady Macbeth and Inverness are ironic given all that they do to him there. Scene VII This scene opens with a soliloquy by Macbeth. He is talking about the king and debating whether killing him is the right way to go about getting to power. He knows that if this is not done, his wife will resent him for it. He is worried that if he were to do something as bad as kill someone, some day would it back-fire.

He goes on to say that he is meant to be loyal; he is Duncan's kinsman. Macbeth says that Duncan is a good king and shouldn't be deceived the way he and his wife intend. His wife, telling him that Duncan is rather drunk, interrupts Macbeth. Macbeth then tells his wife that they cannot go through with this murder.

He remembers how Duncan has favoured him lately and feels that it would be a betrayal of Duncan's trust. Lady Macbeth gets rather angry and tells him that he must do it. He must stay loyal to his wife. She tries to tell him that he has promised to do this for her and he is betraying her. She sets his loyalty to her, his wife above that to the king. Macbeth is worrying that something will go wrong and they will get caught but she replies that nothing will go wrong unless he messes up.

The scene closes with Lady Macbeth saying that they will mourn his death and make themselves look sad about the whole thing. Macbeth then says that he will do it but he isn't very happy about it. IMPORTANT The way that Macbeth doesn't want to murder Duncan but the wife is forcing him by calling him a coward and telling him that if he were loyal to her he would do it. ACT II Scene I Banquo and his son Fleance are walking around outside the castle where they run into Macbeth.

Banquo is slightly worried why Macbeth is up at such a late hour. Banquo brings up the dream he had about the three witches last night. Macbeth also admits that they were on his mind lately but is conscious not to talk too much about the witches and what they fore-claimed as Macbeth is going to kill the king. Banquo says his good nights and goes to bed.

Macbeth then thinks about the murder with doubtfulness but decides to go ahead with it. He plucks up the courage and goes to Duncan's chamber having heard the signal (i.e. a ringing bell) from his wife that all is clear. The guards were unable to stop him as Lady Macbeth had put a strange pill in their drinks. Macbeth takes out his dagger and murders the king. IMPORTANT Macbeth: Is this a dagger which I see before me?

(Macbeth takes his dagger out and looks at it knowing he may well kill Duncan with it.) Macbeth: I go, and it is done: the bell invites me. Hear it not, Duncan, for it is a knell That summons thee to heaven, or to hell. (Macbeth says his last words to Duncan who is still asleep) Scene II Lady Macbeth is inside the castle and she hears a scream. She jumps as she thinks it is the king screaming but really it's an owl perched on a branch outside. During this scene Macbeth is killing Duncan. Lady Macbeth walks past the drunken guards (she slipped wine into their milk.) Macbeth is startled as he bumps into his wife.

Macbeth tells his wife the deed is done. Lady Macbeth is worried that Malcolm and Donalbain have arisen because of the scream but is reassured when laughter comes from their chamber. Macbeth is suffering the after-affects of murdering the king, as he could not say 'amen' when passing the chamber of somebody at prayer and that is said to be a token of demonic possession. Lady Macbeth tries to reassure him that everything will work out. They decide to carry on as normal.

IMPORTANT "My hands are of your colour; but I shame To wear a heart so white. [Knocking within.] I hear a knocking."A little water will clear us of this deed". (i.e. wash her hands) Here Lady Macbeth says that even though her husband did the dirty work she is still a part of this scandalous crime. She says she would be ashamed to have such an innocent, naive heart. This shows how ruthless and deviant a character she is in contrast to her husband. She also betrays her superficiality in thinking that water could absolve her of the crime of murder. The water can remove the blood only and not the guilt.

Scene This scene's inclusion in the play can be defended on theatrical grounds, since there has to be a scene between Macbeth's exit and Macduff's entry. The last few lines of Act 2, Scene 2 make it clear that Macbeth must change his clothes and wash his hands. The old idea that the scene was inserted by Shakespeare to provide comic relief is no longer taken seriously. For one thing, it would be difficult to see Shakespeare would have introduced a light-hearted episode merely to dissipate the tension he had steadily built up in the previous nine scenes. The images and themes of the Porter's speeches are part of a pattern extending through much of the play. His talk of hell and the devil, for example, appears singularly appropriate against the ground of the evil forces at work in the castle, and particularly in the light of Lady Macbeth's self-dedication to evil.

The porter's references to the equivocator's treason reminds us of Cawdor's betrayal of his country, and are in turn echoed Macbeth's equivocal answer to Lennox and Macduff on his next appearance. There is much significance in the brevity of his replies and comments to Macduff and Lennox. The discovery of Duncan murder comes as a relief to Macbeth. Scene IV Inverness, out side Macbeth's castle The old man and Ross are discussing the strange sequence of events over the last week. The old man tells of the owl that killed the hawk and uses this story as proof that indeed everything has been turned upside down. Ross confirms the old man's suspicions regarding the king's horses which - normally so well behaved - had eaten each other!

Lady Macbeth's plan seems to have worked as Macduff comes in and tells Ross in answer to his question that it was the king's servants who had been responsible for the king's death: "Those who Macbeth hath slain". He also confirms that Donalbain and Malcolm have fled and that the finger of suspicion points to them for having incited the servants to such a bloody act. The scene ends with news that Macbeth is to be enthroned as the new King of Scotland at Scone. IMPORTANT: The supernatural indicating foul play in relation to Duncan's death and word of Macbeth's coronation.

Act Scene I In this scene we see Macbeth and Lady Macbeth plan to murder Banquo and Fleance. In order for the murder to be successful, Macbeth goes about hiring two assassins to execute Banquo and his son. As the scene goes on Macbeth is speaking with Banquo about the witches' prophesies as they begin to manifest themselves. Banquo is wondering if he is truly going to father a king. If Macbeth's prophesies have started to come true, then Banquo questions why his should not. Lady Macbeth enters and they stop discussing it.

Macbeth is to host a supper, a celebration banquet, that night, and invites Banquo before he leaves. However if Macbeth's plan is successful Banquo will be murdered before he comes to the celebration. We learn that Macbeth feels threatened by Banquo, "There is none but he whose being I do fear" because if what the witches say is true, then Macbeth will not have children who will succeed him to the throne, but Banquo will instead. This is ironic as in the end it is not Banquo's being, but his ghost that frightens Macbeth and foreshadows his downfall. The murderers enter, and he has set them up to believe that Banquo has done wrong against them. As king, they are loyal to him, therefore they are willing to get rid of Banquo.

Macbeth instructs them to kill Banquo and his son Fleance. He tells them it is not to be done within close proximity to the castle, and should be a neat job. At the end of the scene Macbeth says, "It is concluded, Banquo thy soul's light, If it find heaven, must find it out tonight". Scene II The scene starts as Lady Macbeth is talking to the servant. The servant leaves and Lady Macbeth thinks to herself that even though they have accomplished what they set out to do, she feels she has sacrificed everything and gained nothing in return.

Even this cold and cruel creature (Lady Macbeth) has no peace of mind because what they have done and what might happen. Macbeth enters and his wife is surprised at his form. She hasn't seen his treacherous side before. Macbeth is worried that Banquo is on to them. Macbeth tells his wife to be particularly nice and kind to Banquo so he won't suspect anything. He tells her to show off her beauty to Banquo as well.

Macbeth then implores the murderers to make sure this murderous deed is followed through correctly. Lady Macbeth is for once frightened with the way her husband's personality has changed. IMPORTANT Lady Macbeth: "Where our desire is got without content: 'Tis safer to be that which we destroy Than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy". Lady Macbeth is trying to say that those who they destroy are more secure than they are as if they kill Banquo and Fleance they have to live lives of fear, suspicion and apprehension. Macbeth "We have scorched the snake, not killed it: She " ll close and be herself, whilst our poor malice Remains in danger of her former tooth". Macbeth is saying that the threats to their security and welfare have only been partially dealt with.

And that they will re-assert themselves, and prove as dangerous as they were before. He is basically in a 'no win's itu ation and they can only hope for the best. Scene The murderers that Macbeth has hired are waiting in a park near a road leading to the palace. Another murderer joins the first and second, saying that Macbeth had sent him. The first murderer is suspicious of him, but he is assured by his accomplice that they can trust the new arrival. They suddenly hear horses, those of Banquo and Fleance.

The murderers know that they will dismount their horses and walk to the palace from the gate. Banquo carries a torch, he sees the murderers and they set on him and Fleance. But, in the confusion, the light is put out and Fleance escapes. Banquo's last wish is that Fleance avenges his murder.

"0, treachery! Fly, good Fleance, fly, fly, fly Thou mayst revenge. 0 slave!" The fact that Fleance survives, adds more interest to the witches' prophecy that Banquo's children will be kings. And, although Macbeth has gotten rid of another liability, Fleance's escape helps place doubt over the length of Macbeth's reign as king. Scene IV This scene begins with a banquet held by Lady Macbeth and Macbeth. Macbeth welcomes his guests and he also speaks to the murderer about the death of Banquo.

Macbeth: "But Banquo's safe?" Murderer: "Ay, my good Lord, safe in a ditch he bides, With twenty trenched gashes on his head" The banquet is about to begin when Macbeth notices that there is no place at the table for him because Banquo's ghost has just appeared and has taken his place. (Only Macbeth can see the ghost). The ghost terrifies Macbeth and he refuses to be seated as he claims that the table's full. His guests, who are confused at Macbeth's strange behaviour, insist that there is a space for him at the table. Lennox: "Here is a space reserved Sir". At this stage Lady Macbeth begins to cover for Macbeth, as she is determined that the banquet will be a success.

She excuses him claiming that he is sick. As the others rise to leave thinking Macbeth ill Lady Macbeth insists they stay: "Sit worthy friends, my lord is often thus, And hath been from his youth". The ghost soon leaves the room and the banquet continues. Macbeth relaxes again and the ghost's appearance is forgotten until Macbeth proposes a toast to Banquo. Macbeth: "I drink to th " generosity o'th' I whole table, And to our dear friend Banquo, whom we miss". The ghost appears to Macbeth again and to his guests he seems to become 'crazy' again, talking to nothing.

Macbeth: "Avaunt and quit my sight, let the earth hide thee " This alarms Lady Macbeth and she once again tries to pull Macbeth back into line. The ghost leaves the room and Macbeth relaxes "I am a man again, Pray you sit still". Macbeth's behaviour has embarrassed Lady Macbeth too much and she calls off the banquet, excusing Macbeth by saying his 'illness' has grown worse. "I pray you speak not, he grows worse and worse, Question enrages him, at once, good night Stand not upon the order of your going, but go at once". IMPORTANT: Banquo has been murdered after Macbeth ordered men to kill him and Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are hosting a banquet for the Lords.

The ghost of Banquo appears to Macbeth but nobody else. Scene V The three witches come and meet Hecate, the queen of the witches. She is angry because the witches have engaged with Macbeth without her being a part of it. She sees Macbeth as someone who does not deserve their help. "Hath been but a wayward son, Spiteful and wrathful...

Loves for his own ends not you". Macbeth will want to find out more of his fate so that he can know what to expect. He will not accept his fate if it does not tell him what he wants to hear. "He shall spurn fate, scorn death and bear His hopes 'bove wisdom, grace and fear".

Hecate believes she can undo Macbeth and says she will meet the witches the next morning. Hecate wants to make Macbeth the victim of her evil and she promises this: "Upon the corner of the moon There hangs a vaporous drop profound - I'll catch it ere come to ground". Scene VI The scene opens with Lennox talking to a fellow Lord. He discusses the happenings of events so far. He admits that he finds the behaviour of Macbeth very odd: "Only I say things have been strangely borne". He goes on to analyse Macbeth's false reactions to the murders of both Duncan and Banquo.

We now see that Lennox can see through Macbeth's lies. Already this scene shows signs of being an updating scene in that it is reviewing what has already happened, but it is also showing that Lennox is aware of Macbeth's doings and no longer trusts him. Lennox then goes on to ask the lord where Macduff is hiding, the lord then tells him that both Macduff and Malcolm are taking refuge in the English court. The lord also expresses his concern with Macbeth's behaviour in the quote that with help: "We may again give to our tables meat, sleep to our nights". The lord also mentions the fact of war, and the two lords talk about their wishes for English aid as their messengers will take too long and Scotland will suffer under Macbeth. Towards the end Lennox gives his opinion on the situation in Scotland.

"Suffering country under a hand accursed". The scene is a tool for two main things: o Bringing the audience up to date o Introducing the idea of war against Macbeth ACT IV Scene I This scene opens in a cave with the three witches making a potion with many mythical and tropical ingredients. The very famous words "Double double toil and trouble, fire burn and cauldron bubble" are used in this scene. As the scene progresses, Macbeth arrives and asks what they are doing. The witches call upon three apparitions.

The first apparition tells Macbeth that Macduff must be avoided. The second apparition tells Macbeth that no man born of woman shall harm him, while the third apparition tells that Macbeth shall only be vanquished when the Great Birnam Wood moves to Dunsinane which also seems impossible. Macbeth seems to be dreaming after the apparitions which gives us a sense of drama in the play and how it haunts Macbeth. Macbeth is told by Lennox that Macduff has fled to England which gives Macbeth the idea to kill anyone who has anything to do with Macduff to hopefully keep him back or have him race to Scotland for vengeance. The most important part in this scene is to give you the three omens about Macbeth's death. It will make the audience or readers a sense of anticipation as to how everything will go wrong for Macbeth and will give them a sharper eye so they can see the clues lead up to Macbeth's fate.

Scene II In the last scene Macduff fled Scotland. This disgusted Macbeth so much that in this scene he takes the innocent lives of Macduff's son and wife. This scene also deals with how Lady Macduff is feeling after her husband has fled. Ross patiently attempts to explain to her that under Macbeth's rule, Macduff's life was dominated by fear, violence and uncertainty.

Lady Macduff thinks her husband was cowardly. "All is fear and nothing is love" Lady Macduff had a warm relationship with her son. Though she did feel that his observations concerning his father were too accurate for someone so young. "If he were dead you'd weep for him" Lady Macduff said.

When Macbeth has her killed, her final words are defiant, clearly protective and loving her husband. She also reflects on how the world, in general, and Scotland in particular have become evil. "I have done no harm. But I remember now I am in this earthly world, where to do harm is often laudable, to do good sometime accounted as dangerous folly" The main point this scene makes is to show the audience how monstrous Macbeth is as he causally carried out the murder of two innocent individuals. Maybe in this scene, we see Macbeth's true character? Scene In England Malcolm, Duncan's son, entertains Macduff.

Malcolm analyses Macduff's behaviour for he fears that Macduff may be on Macbeth's side. Macduff stresses that he is "not treacherous". Macduff's intentions for visiting Malcolm were based on the well-being of Scotland. He attempts to encourage Malcolm to return to Scotland so he may claim the throne from Macbeth.

"Oh Scotland, Scotland" he declares. He is truly patriotic who would die for his country. In this scene, we encounter the doctor who gives up hopeless news on the outcome of the King. He has scrofula tuberculosis of the lymphatic glands. Ross, a nobleman, companion and cousin of Macduff's, appears bearing shocking news.

"Your wife and babes savagely slaughtered". Previously Macduff asks Ross about his family's well-being but Ross cannot conjure up the courage to break Macduff's heart. He finally reveals the reality. Macduff sits in shock; "All my pretty ones" he mutters in disbelief. Malcom encourages Macduff to convert this remorse into anger to defeat Macbeth.

Malcolm, Ross and Macduff return to Scotland with ambitions of executing their pathetic King Macbeth. Therefore, this scene is filled with anger and hatred at what Macbeth has done. The most important issue in this scene is that we see how everyone feels about Macbeth and what they intend to do to him. ACT V Scene I In this scene the doctor of physic and a lady watch Lady Macbeth as she does lots of things in her sleep, although she acts as though she is awake. When she is asleep part of her ritual is to wash her hands as if she were washing away the blood of Duncan. She does this every night.

Lady Macbeth talks of all the blood the old man has in him as she says "what need we fear who knows it, when none can call our power to account? yet who would have thought the old man had such blood in him" Lady Macbeth feels as though she has lost herself, she feels as though she is going insane. All this is a reaction to the terrible crime she and Macbeth committed. Ironically it is she who is worst effected by the crime. The doctor realises that he and the lady have heard too much and he tells the lady to leave. Lady Macbeth does feel a lot of guilt because of the crime they have committed even if it only comes out in her sleep. This is obvious because she reveals in her sleep "Here's the smell of blood still All the perfumes in Arabia will not sweeten this little hand".

The doctor sees there is something wrong with her but he also says he can not do anything for her. Yet he has seen cases like this before. Lady Macbeth goes on as if she were talking to Macbeth. She even mentions Banquo. The most significant things in this scene are the quotes by Lady Macbeth. She basically tells the doctor and woman what she and Macbeth killed the king Duncan.

She actually confessed to all in her sleep. Scene II Menteith, Caithness, Angus and Lennox are discussing the coming battle against Macbeth. They also discuss Macbeth and from what they say you can see they are dead set against him. "Now does he feel his secret murders sticking on his hands" and "Those he commands move only in command, nothing in love" are two important quotes showing that he is losing control and that even his most faithful subjects have turned against him and are foretelling his down fall. Scene This scene opens with MacBeth saying that the witches had told him that he would be safe in his castle until Birnam Wood came to Dunsinane which he reasonably thought could never happen. Just then a servant came in and told him that ten thousand English troops were seen marching towards the castle.

Then Seton enters the scene and confirms the sighting. MacBeth turns all brave and says that he will fight until the flesh is hacked from his bones. He sends out men on horses to see what the picture is. He then talks to the doctor about Lady MacBeth and the doctor tells him that she is troubled by thoughts that keep her from sleep. He tells him to cure it and moves on. The scene ends with MacBeth saying that he will not fear death and bane till Birnam come to Dunsinane which he thinks will never happen.

IMPORTANT MacBeth thinking that he is completely safe because a wood cannot march to a castle. Scene IV Menteith, Caithness, Angus and Lennox have met up with Malcolm, Siward, Macduff, and Ross. They have come to Birnam Wood and have sent their soldiers to it. They are confident that they will defeat Macbeth who stays at Dunsinane waiting for their attack. Scene V This is the scene where Macbeth finds out that Birnam wood is coming towards the castle. He prepares for battle as Macduff and his men approach the castle and it seems that everything the witches told him has come true.

IMPORTANT: When Macbeth is told "Fear not, till Birnam wood do come to Dunsinane" and "Now a wood comes to Dunsinane. Arm, arm, and out!" Scene VI Malcolm urges the army to throw down their boughs and branches of trees and storm the castle. Siward, Macduff and himself then exit to take up their various positions and duties for the battle to follow. Scene VII In this scene Macbeth is alone. He describes himself as a bear as he says: "They have tied me to a steak I can not fly, But hear like I must fight the course.

What's he that was not born of woman? Such a one I am to fear or none". In this scene young Siward appears. He obviously has heard of Macbeth because he asks Macbeth his name and when Macbeth answers he says the devil himself could not use such a horrible name, in his opinion. Macbeth trys to make out he is fearless and that the threats made by young Siward are nothing to him.

Macduff enters and explains that he wants to fight Macbeth because he feels the ghosts of his wife and children still haunt him. Malcolm is also involved in this scene he describes Macbeth as his foe. As Macduff is seeking out Macbeth the surrender of Macbeth's castle is reported by Siward. It was an easy victory because Macbeth's people were deserting him.

Despite knowing he has been beaten he still hangs on hoping the witches final prophecy may come true. In this scene young Siward has been killed by Macbeth and this increased Macbeth's confidence greatly. The most important things that take place in this scene is the death of the young Siward. He was trying to get rid of the rumours that he is afraid of Macbeth and gets killed in the process. Macduff is out to get revenge from Macbeth for the death of his wife and children. Scene V Another part of the battlefield At last Macbeth's past catches up with him.

He has been dismayed to see Birnam Wood move up the hill to Dunsinane castle (one of the things the witches foretold he thought could never happen) but has rested sure in their other prophecy that he cannot be killed by any 'born of woman'. Unfortunately he goes so far as to tell this to Macduff by whom he is faced in this scene. Macduff tells how he had been delivered, not born, by Caesarean section: "Macduff was from his mother's womb / Untimely ripped". The two fall to fighting and Macbeth is slain. IMPORTANT: Macduff is the one 'not of woman' born who proceeds to kill Macbeth. Scene IX Malcolm, Siward and Ross start off the scene off by talking about their victory against Macbeth and then about where Siward's son is.

Ross tells Siward his son died an honourable death and he should be proud. Then Macduff enters the scene carrying Macbeth's head and there is a cheer from the waiting crowd. Malcolm declares how they will settle the future of the kingdom.