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Scene 2 takes us briefly to the opposing English forces gathering near Macbeth's fortress at Dunsinane.
We notice that Macbeth's army is beginning to desert.
In Scene 3, we notice that Macbeth's confidence hangs on a very thin thread. Indeed, he is not at all
happy with his situation. Then comes the news that Lady Macbeth herself is mentally ill and cannot be
cured.
THE OPPOSITION GATHERS
The story has come full circle.
The play started with the Thane of Cawdor proving to be a traitor to Scotland for which he was executed
and his head was presumably mounted on a stake.
The play ends with the new Thane of Cawdor proving to be a traitor to Scotland and his head too would
be mounted on a stake.
In-between we have witnessed Macbeth becoming the victim of the ultimate equivocation. First, the
witches made prophecies to him which were truths, half-truths or even possible truths.
Had Macbeth -- like Banquo -- not acted upon them but simply let events take their course, it is
possible that the prophecies might have reached fulfilment without his lifting a finger.
Even Macbeth himself came to a similar conclusion but allowed himself to fall prey to Lady Macbeth, who
persuaded him to take the shortest route.
Finding himself embarking upon a path of habitual murder, Macbeth returned to the witches to check on
his fear for Macduff. Yet Macbeth already knew that Macduff was his greatest threat.
Nevertheless he allowed the witches to deceive him once more by their equivocation. Fear Macduff --
but have no fear till great Birnam wood comes to Dunsinane. And fear no-one born of a woman.
These prophecies gave Macbeth false hope. Ultimately Macduff was his greatest fear -- and perhaps
also the greater warrior.
The final shock for Macbeth, of course, was probably to witness the real Porter of Hell's gate coming to
claim him!
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:
SCENE 2:
Comment on the significance of the fact that they are near Birnam Wood. (3)
[Need help?]
It was one of the witches' prophecies that Macbeth must not fear till Great Birnam Wood comes to
Dunsinane.
The audience is therefore put in the picture that Birnam Wood will somehow indeed play a role in the
tyrant's downfall.
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What does this scene tell us of the activities of Macbeth? (4)
[Need help?]
We learn that Macbeth is putting up great defence at Dunsinane. We also learn that there are mixed
opinions about him, ranging from madness to anger.
Whatever the rumours, however, it is clear that he is finding it increasingly difficult to maintain loyal
followers. Presumably desertion is becoming the order of the day.
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Comment on the loyalty of Macbeth's current army. (3)
[Need help?]
Macbeth's soldiers are in a constant state of desertion. His continual resort to murder so as to maintain
his hold on Scotland is beginning to turn against him.
Indeed, even those not deserting show no initiative but work only on command.
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Why does Macbeth believe that he need not fear "till Birnam wood remove to
Dunsinane"? (2)
[Need help?]
The witches prophesied that Macbeth would never be vanquished till Great Birnam Wood came to
Dunsinane Castle. This prophesy has given the king false hope.
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SCENE 3:
Why does Macbeth not fear Malcolm? (4)
[Need help?]
In the first place, Malcolm has always been presented as a coward. Did he not run away at the news of
his father's murder despite the fact that he had already been appointed next king?
Second, the witches had prophesied that no man born of a woman would ever defeat Macbeth, and was
not Malcolm born of a woman?
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Macbeth insults the English forces by calling them "epicures".
- What does he mean by this? Why is the term insulting? (4)
[Need help?]
An epicure is a philosophically minded person, one who prefers to live a life of luxury rather than go out
and fight.
According to Macbeth, therefore, an epicure is a weakling -- one not fit for battle.
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"My way of life
Is fall'n into the sere, the yellow leaf."
- What does Macbeth mean? (2)
[Need help?]
Macbeth's life has become diseased, sick. A leaf turns yellow just before it is due to fall from the tree.
In like manner, Macbeth himself is about to fall -- just like an old or sickly leaf.
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- What does this tell you of his current mental condition? (4)
[Need help?]
Despite the apparent prophesies that he will not be vanquished, Macbeth is nevertheless giving up hope.
Even if he should be victorious in battle, his life is not a happy one.
He lacks real friends. His acquaintances are all treacherous. He has to murder to maintain his grip on
the throne. And now even his wife is mentally ill.
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"Canst thou not minister to a mind diseased,
Pluck from the memory a rooted sorrow,
Raze out the written troubles of the brain
And with some sweet oblivious antidote
Cleanse the stuff'd bosom of that perilous stuff
Which weighs upon the heart?"
- Is Macbeth referring to Lady Macbeth or to himself? Explain. (6)
[Need help?]
Macbeth is, of course, referring to Lady Macbeth because it is Lady Macbeth that they are presently
discussing -- and we know from her sleep-walking episode that she is mentally ill.
But is not Macbeth also referring to himself?
It is fairly clear that he is a troubled man, one who is mentally disturbed. He can no longer sleep at night.
He has had terrible visions of ghostly daggers and ghostly men.
His life is in turmoil and there comes a point where he must seriously have thought of ending it all himself.
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"SEYTON: What is your gracious pleasure?"
- Considering that the witches played such an important role in Macbeth's life, is there any reason why
we never see them again after the king has consulted them concerning Macduff? (10)
[Need help?]
This answer is pure speculation.
It is probable that the witches had no further need to enter Macbeth's life for they now handed over their
authority to the Dark Lord himself.
Have you wondered why it is that the person who suddenly appears at the final moment of battle has the
name "Seyton"?
In Elizabethan England, this name would not have been pronounced "See-tin", as most modern
productions do. It would have been pronounced "Say-tin" or "Satan".
Such a pronunciation would not have been missed on the Elizabethan audience. By a cunning sleight of
hand, the Great Bard has introduced Satan to dress Macbeth for battle.
Suddenly we should become aware that we have reached Hell's Gate -- and Seyton or Satan is there
to ensure that Macbeth does not escape.
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