Questions and Answers
Why does Lady Macbeth sleepwalk?
She is tormented by her guilt after the murder of Duncan.
When the doctor hears Lady Macbeth talk in her sleep, what does he know?
That Lady Macbeth was involved in the death of Duncan.
Where will the English army meet to prepare the attack against Macbeth? (Select all that apply)
How does Macbeth's attitude in this scene compare with other characters?
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What does the doctor say that Lady Macbeth needs to do to be cured?
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What does Macbeth's joke with the doctor at such a dangerous moment reinforce?
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How will Birnam Wood move to Dunsinane?
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How does Lady Macbeth die?
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How is Macbeth's reaction to his wife's death unusual?
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What literary device is used in Macbeth's line 'life is an exercise in futility'?
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What is a soliloquy?
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Why does the information the messenger reports cause Macbeth to worry?
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Who will lead the attack on Macbeth?
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Whom does Macbeth kill in Act V?
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What may the audience presume when Malcolm and Siward appear on stage looking for Macbeth?
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At the beginning of the scene, what does Macbeth realize about his situation?
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Why is Macduff able to kill Macbeth in spite of the witches' prophecy?
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Why is it dramatically appropriate for Macduff to kill Macbeth?
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Why is Macbeth considered a literary tragedy?
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Study Notes
Lady Macbeth's Guilt
- Lady Macbeth sleepwalks due to overwhelming guilt after Duncan's murder.
- Her disturbed state suggests deep psychological distress and a need to confess her crimes.
Doctor's Awareness
- The doctor realizes Lady Macbeth's involvement in Duncan's death when he hears her sleep-talking.
English Army's Strategy
- The English army, led by Malcolm, does not gather at any of the specified locations; they conceal their approach using cut branches from Birnam Wood.
Macbeth's Confidence
- Macbeth displays extreme confidence in the face of fear among other characters, highlighting his arrogance and denial of the impending doom.
Doctor's Prescription
- The doctor believes Lady Macbeth needs to confess her complicity in the murders to find healing.
Macbeth’s Arrogance
- Macbeth's lighthearted interaction with the doctor during a critical moment emphasizes his hubris, contrasting with the somber atmosphere.
Movement of Birnam Wood
- Malcolm's army uses branches from Birnam Wood to camouflage their advance towards Dunsinane, fulfilling the witches' prophecy.
Lady Macbeth's Death
- Tormented by guilt, Lady Macbeth ultimately succumbs to madness and takes her own life.
Macbeth's Reaction to Death
- Macbeth's unusual response to Lady Macbeth's death reflects emotional numbness, lacking the expected grief.
Metaphorical Language
- Macbeth’s expression "life is an exercise in futility" serves as a metaphor, indicating his existential despair.
Definition of Soliloquy
- A soliloquy allows characters to express their innermost thoughts and feelings to the audience, revealing personal conflicts.
Witches' Prophecy Anxiety
- A messenger's report heightens Macbeth's fear that he is losing control and that the witches' prophecy is being realized.
Young Siward's Role
- Young Siward leads the attack against Macbeth, reflecting the conflict and generational struggle.
Young Siward's Fate
- Macbeth kills Young Siward during the chaos of battle, showcasing the tragic consequences of ambition and violence.
Audience Assumption
- When Malcolm and Siward approach the stage, the audience can infer that they have successfully taken control of the castle.
Macbeth's Revelation
- Realizing his situation is hopeless, Macbeth chooses to fight to the death rather than surrender, marking his tragic resolve.
Macduff's Advantage
- Macduff is able to kill Macbeth due to the revelation that he was born by caesarean section, thus defying the witches' prophecy.
Macduff's Revenge
- It is fitting for Macduff to kill Macbeth, as the latter had ordered the slaughter of Macduff's family, bringing poetic justice to the tragedy.
Tragic Downfall
- Macbeth's insatiable ambition ultimately leads to his downfall, embodying the essence of a literary tragedy where hubris leads to ruin.
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Description
Test your knowledge of key themes and events from Act 5 of Shakespeare's Macbeth. This quiz covers Lady Macbeth's guilt, sleepwalking, and the preparations for the English army's attack. Challenge yourself and see how well you remember the dramatic conclusion of this tragedy.
