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READ THIS
Scene 5 was probably not written by Shakespeare and it seldom appears in any modern performances
of the play. It is essentially a long and angry speech by Hecate who is furious with the witches for what
they have done to Macbeth.
In Scene 6, Lennox and an unknown Lord discuss the latest happenings in Scotland. The purpose is to
show that forces are beginning to assemble in opposition to Macbeth.
THE OPPOSITION GATHERS
For the first time, the audience is transported away from Macbeth to view the opposition forces building
up again the tyrant.
The most notable scene takes place in England and the court of Edward the Confessor, a king known for
his sanctity and powers of healing.
There we meet Macduff who speaks with Malcolm -- the late King Duncan's son and appointed heir to
the Scottish throne. Macduff wishes to spur on Malcolm to lead an army against the tyrant.
Malcolm, however, is suspicious. Macbeth has so many men in his pay that it is possible Macduff is
simply another of them -- come to England to assassinate him.
Macduff understandably becomes deeply frustrated at Malcolm's negative comments until he loses his
temper. Only then does Malcolm accept Macduff's loyalty.
In the meantime, Ross brings news of the murder of Macduff's wife and children. After an initial outburst
of guilt and sorrow, Macduff uses the tidings to steel his own will against Macbeth.
The scene, although a slow-moving one, is nevertheless necessary to allow us to witness the growing
opposition to Macbeth.
The liberation of Scotland, when it happens, will of course be led by Macduff -- about whom the witches
have already warned Macbeth in their usual equivocal way.
Have you looked at the questions
in the right column?
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TEST YOURSELF!
Read the left column and then answer
the following questions:
"Have I not reason, beldams as you are,
Saucy and overbold? How did you dare
To trade and traffic with Macbeth
In riddles and affairs of death."
- Hecate is angry with the three witches. Why? (2)
[Need help?]
Hecate (or Hekate) was the goddess of magic, witchcraft and the night. She was the only child of the
Titanes Perses and Asteria from whom she received her power over heaven, earth, and sea.
It would seem that she is angry at the way in which the witches have meddled in Macbeth's life -- and
also because they did not consult her before doing so.
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- What does Hecate suggest they do? (4)
[Need help?]
Hecate suggests that, to make amends, they must all meet the following day at the pit of Acheron where
they will make their brew and meet once more with Macbeth -- and draw him into confusion once more!
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"The gracious Duncan
Was pitied of Macbeth: marry, he was dead:
And the right-valiant Banquo walk'd too late;
Whom, you may say, if't please you, Fleance kill'd,
For Fleance fled: men must not walk too late."
- What is the purpose of Lennox's surmising as to who might have murdered Duncan and
Banquo? (5)
[Need help?]
Shakespeare's plays do not give any notion of the passing of time. The audience is left to come to its own
conclusion as to how much time has elapsed from one scene to another.
One way in which this is achieved is through a scene like this one. A character -- often a relatively
unimportant one -- speaks about events that have happened and we, the audience, are left to say,
"Ah yes! So a certain amount of time must now have elapsed."
In this scene Lennox examines all the events that have taken place thus far. We hear that one of
Duncan's sons is now living at the court of the King of England, and that Macduff has also left Scotland
for England.
We also know that these men are stirring up opposition to Macbeth, while Macbeth himself is building up
his army. So the stage is set for the last great conflict in the play.
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"The son of Duncan,
From whom this tyrant holds the due of birth
Lives in the English court, and is received
Of the most pious Edward with such grace
That the malevolence of fortune nothing
Takes from his high respect: thither Macduff
Is gone to pray the holy king . . . "
- Who is the "Son of Duncan" referred to? (1)
[Need help?]
It is surely Malcolm, he who decided to flee to England after his father's murder? His brother --
Donalbain -- went into exile in Ireland.
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- Why has Macduff gone to England? (5)
[Need help?]
What are Macduff's choices? There has been enmity between Macbeth and Macduff right from the start,
even before Duncan was murdered.
Macduff then finds himself in a position where he cannot co-operate with the new king. Nevertheless,
defiance would sign his own death warrant.
Macduff slighted Macbeth by not attending his feast -- the one where the ghost of Banquo appeared.
Macduff would have known Macbeth would take exception to this slight, and so he fled to England.
But was he just fleeing? Surely someone as strong as Macduff would not just flee the scene?
He could not survive alone, however, and so needed to travel to England where he could rustle up a
decent enough military force to take on Macbeth in open battle.
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- In what way has Macduff been rude to Macbeth? (3)
[Need help?]
Macduff has essentially been rude to Macbeth three times.
- First, he did not attend the banquet at Inverness where Macbeth entertained Duncan.
- Macduff then did not attend Macbeth's coronation at Scone.
- Finally, Macduff failed to attend the celebration afterwards -- the one where the ghost of Banquo
appeared.
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- What do you think would be the possible outcome of Macduff's rudeness? (2)
[Need help?]
Given Macbeth's present mood, he could probably murder Macduff. Anything else?
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