Macbeth
Act V – pages 401 to 416
Answer the following questions on another piece of paper in complete ntences and u no unidentified pronouns.
1. Does the ending of the play satisfy you? Why or why not? If not, how would you change it?
2. Why do you think Macbeth continues to appeal to audiences after nearly four hundred years?
3. (a) While Lady Macbeth is sleepwalking, to what three prior events does she refer? (b) To which event does she keep coming back? (scene i - lines 29 to 24)
4. (a) What news does Seyton bring Macbeth in Scene v? (b) What in the mesnger’s report makes Macbeth fear that the apparitions’ third prophecy is coming true?
5. (a) In Scene viii why does Macbeth tell Macduff he does not wish to fight him?
(e lines 5 and 6)
6. (b) What does Macduff tell Macbeth concerning the apparitions’ cond prophecy?
7. (a)Whom does Macbeth kill in the encounter with the English forces? (b) Whom does Macduff kill? (c) At the end of the play, who is to be crowned King of Scotland?
8. Why do you think it is an “accustomed action” for Lady Macbeth to wash her hands while sleepwalking?
9. (a) Why does Macbeth remain confident of surviving the battle with Malcolm’s army despite his own troop’s dertion? (b) Judging by the way Macbeth behaves in Scene iii, describe his state of mind.
10. What changes in his personality is Macbeth describing in Scene v, lines 9 – 14?
11. Why does Macbeth say, “She should have died hereafter,” upon learning of the death
of Lady Macbeth?
12. Macbeth, mad and murderous though he is, shows certain admirable traits to the very end. What are some of his better traits?
OVER
13. If Macbeth had defeated Malcolm’s forces and remained King of Scotland, what actions do you think he would have taken in regard to (a) Malcolm? (b) the rebellious Scottish lords? (c) the witches?
Analyzing Literature – Understanding Theme
Theme is the central or dominating idea in a literary work. In a tragedy the theme is bad on the actions of a tragic hero—a basically moral person, often of noble stature, who downfall usually results from a bad choice. The bad choice stems from a tragic flaw in the tragic hero’s character.
14. What is the tragic flaw in Macbeth’s character? Support your answer with examples from the play.
15. What is the theme of Macbeth? State the theme in the form of a universal truth, not restricted to only the character of Macbeth’s tragic flaw and its conquences for all of mankind.
16. (a) What plot events in Act V show Macbeth’s downfall to be complete and irreversible? (b) Describe Macbeth’s feelings or lack of feelings at the end of the play.
