Macbeth Act 5 Questions for study

Scene 1:

1. What does her sleepwalking reveal about Lady Macbeth's conscience?

2. How is her hand-washing symbolic?

3. About what does the doctor tell the lady-in-waiting to be watchful on Lady Macbeth's behalf?

Scene 2:

4. Where are the noblemen to meet Malcolm?

5. What is reported about Macbeth?

Scene 3:

6. Why does Macbeth claim to feel no fear?

7. In lines 25-31, what does Macbeth indicate he is in fact feeling?

Scene 4:

8. Where does this scene take place?

9. What are Malcolm's instructions to his soldiers? Why does he have them do this?

10. According to Malcolm in lines 15-18, what is the attitude of Macbeth's troops?

Scene 5:

11. What news does Seyton give Macbeth?

12. Paraphrase lines 21-30.

13. Of what does the messenger inform Macbeth?

Scenes 6 & 7:

14. What is accomplished in scene 6?

15. In scene 7, how does Macbeth indicate he feels in lines 1-4?

16. Who is slain by Macbeth?

17. What is reported to have happened to some of Macbeth's men?

Scenes 8 & 9:

18. What does Macduff tell Macbeth about his birth?

19. Who kills Macbeth?

20. Who will be the new king of Scotland?

General questions:

21.As Macbeth becomes increasingly obsessed with protecting his position, he also becomes more and more isolated and alienated. What incidents demonstrate this in his relationship with his wife?

22. What character flaw resulted in Macbeth's downfall?