Macbeth Act Five Scene Synopses

Scene 1: The Macbeths are now living at Dunsinane Castle. A doctor has been employed to watch over Lady Macbeth. The queen's lady-in-waiting is worried over her mistresses' behavior. She has been seen sleepwalking, always carrying a candle and often appearing to be washing her hands. She also writes on a piece of paper and then locks it away. Lady Macbeth also talks in her sleep, but the lady-in-waiting refuses to repeat what she has heard, afraid for her life. Instead, she has asked the doctor to wait up at night with her and observe Lady Macbeth for himself. As they watch, the queen enters, her speech a jumbled but very vivid recreation of the murders. She is now obsessed with the impossibility of washing her hands of the blood which she now sees and smells. The doctor realizes that he cannot cure such a deep mental disturbance, and warns the lady-in-waiting to watch Lady Macbeth, as he fears she is now suicidal.

Scenes 2 & 3: The Scottish nobles Menteith, Caithness, Angus and Lennox are on their way to Birnam Wood near Dunsinane to join with the English army and its leaders, Malcolm Macduff and Siward. All are prepared to die for their country and the restoration of order to Scotland.

Macbeth, awaiting attack in his castle at Dunsinane, has been deserted by everyone except his paid employees who are forced to remain. He receives news that the English force has been sighted. As he prepares for combat, he reflects on the emptiness of his life. The doctor reports that nothing can be done for Lady Macbeth's condition save God Himself. He reassures himself by repeating the prophesies that he will not be defeated until Birnam Wood moves to Dunsinane and that he cannot be killed by anyone born of a woman.

Scenes 4, 5 & 6: The Scottish forces have joined the English army at Birnam Wood. Malcolm, as commander, orders each soldier to cut down and carry a branch. This will allow Malcolm's army to disguise its numbers as it marches to Dunsinane.

Meanwhile, Macbeth is confident that Dunsinane Castle can resist any siege, regretting only he has not enough soldiers to charge against Malcolm's army. He is told then of Lady Macbeth's death. Life now seems to him to be futile, meaningless and empty. A messenger arrives to report, in disbelief, that Birnam Wood is moving toward the castle. At last, Macbeth realizes that he has been deceived. Though he knows he cannot win, Macbeth decides he will die fighting and calls his troops to arms, and thereby makes it possible for Malcolm to capture Dunsinane.

Upon their arrival at Dunsinane, Malcolm orders his soldiers to throw down their camouflage of branches and to proceed to battle.

Scenes 7, 8 & 9: On the battlefield, Macbeth feels trapped. At the same time, however, he clings to the third prophesy that he cannot be killed by anyone born of a woman. His easy victory over Young Siward seems to increase his confidence. In the meantime, Macduff is looking for him, compelled to seek revenge. Siward announces the castle's surrender, and predicting victory, invites Malcolm to enter his rightful palace.

At last Macbeth and Macduff confront each other. Macbeth is reluctant to fight, feeling guilty already for the slaughter of Macduff's family. He is still convinced that he cannot be killed, but Macduff's explanation that he was delivered by caesarian section and thus, technically not born of woman, forces upon Macbeth the full realization of the witches' deception (equivocation). Nevertheless, he refuses to yield; this time he will fight to the death.

Now in possession of Dunsinane, Malcolm and Siward are informed by Ross of the courageous death of Young Siward. Macduff enters with Macbeth's head, proclaims their victory, and declares Malcolm the new king of Scotland. Malcolm promises rewards and restoration of order, and asks for God's help and blessing. The moral law is at last restored.