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The Tragedy of Macbeth, Act V, by William Shakespeare
Literary Analysis: Shakespearean Tragedy
People have always been fascinated by tragedy because it allows readers to see themselves
and their potential for self-destruction. Each tragedy rests upon the premise that the tragic hero
brings about his or her own downfall, often because of an inborn weakness in character, a
tragic flaw. This flaw can be pride, lust, greed, and so on. In a typical tragedy, the tragic hero
begins the play as a respected, usually high-born, member of society. His or her virtues are
described at length during the early scenes. In The Tragedy of Macbeth, we first meet Macbeth
as a hero in battle, a loyal supporter of King Duncan, a good husband, and an excellent friend.
With all these wonderful qualities, what could Macbeth want that he does not already possess?
What could possibly go wrong? The answer is, of course, human nature. With all the things
Macbeth has, he wants most acutely that which he doesn’t have. His ambition becomes his
master, his tragic flaw.Even though Macbeth succumbs to his desire for power, his actions as
the end of the play approaches reflect the man whom he used to be. His tragic impulse to
confront his inevitable tragedy with bravery reminds readers of what makes Macbeth a tragic
hero.
DIRECTIONS: Answer the following questions about Macbeth’s character.
1. If Macbeth had never met the three witches, do you think the events of the play would have
turned out the same way? Give reasons for your answer.
2. Is Macbeth aware of how ambitious he is? Support your response.
3. Is Lady Macbeth certain of Macbeth’s ambition before he kills Duncan? Support your
response.
4. How does Macbeth’s tragic impulse manifest itself?
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The Tragedy of Macbeth, Act V, by William Shakespeare
Vocabulary Builder
Word List
antidote
clamorous
harbingers
perturbation
pristine
recoil
vulnerable
A. DIRECTIONS: Match each word in the left column with its definition in the right column. Write
the letter of the definition on the line next to the word it defines.
___
___
___
___
___
___
___
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
antidote
clamorous
harbingers
perturbation
pristine
recoil
vulnerable
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
noisy
forerunners
pure; untouched; unspoiled
disorder
remedy
weak
draw back
B. WORD STUDY: Knowing that the word root -turb- means “to disturb,” create a sentence using
each of the following italicized words.
perturbed, adj., greatly disturbed in mind
turbine, n., a machine that changes the movement of a fluid into mechanical energy
turbojet, n., an airplane powered by turbines
turbid, adj., cloudy, muddy; mixed up or confused
1.
2.
3.
4.
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The Tragedy of Macbeth, Act V, by William Shakespeare
Grammar and Style: Using Adjective and Adverb Clauses
An adjective clause is a dependent clause that modifies a noun or a pronoun. Adjective
clauses perform the same function as adjectives.
EXAMPLE: The Tragedy of Macbeth, which was written by William Shakespeare, tells the
story of Macbeth’s downfall.
An adverb clause is a dependent clause that modifies a verb, an adjective, or an adverb.
Adverb clauses perform the same function as adverbs. Adverb clauses tell how, when, where,
why, to what extent, or under what conditions.
EXAMPLE: Macbeth’s story ends tragically because he succumbs to his tragic flaw of
ambition. (why)
A. PRACTICE: Underline each adjective and adverb clause. Identify whether the adverb clauses
tell how, when, where, why, to what extent, or under what conditions.
1. Lady Macbeth begins to plot against King Duncan after she reads Macbeth’s letter.
2. Macbeth, who was loyal and brave, listens to Lady Macbeth’s persuasion.
3. The speech that the Porter makes about knocking on the gate provides comic relief.
4. Banquo suffers at Macbeth’s hands because he knows of the sisters’ prophecy.
B. Writing Application: Write two sentences about The Tragedy of Macbeth using an
adjective clause in one and an adverb in the other.
1.
2.
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The Tragedy of Macbeth, Act V, by William Shakespeare
Selection Test A
Critical Reading Identify the letter of the choice that best answers the question.
1. What is the main idea of the sleepwalking scene in Act V?
A. Evil people always get sick.
B. It’s hard to get over a guilty conscience.
C. Wives should not be blamed for what their husbands do.
D. Wives are as guilty as their husbands for evil actions.
2. What can you infer from the doctor’s treatment of Lady Macbeth about the practice of
medicine during the time of the play?
A. Doctors knew little about emotional distress.
B. Doctors were skilled at treating battle wounds.
C. Doctors knew little about treating common illnesses.
D. Doctors treated only members of royal families.
3. At the beginning of Act V, the waiting-gentlewoman tells the doctor about Lady Macbeth’s strange behavior. Why does he tell the gentlewoman to “Remove from her the
means of all annoyance”?
A. He wants Lady Macbeth to have peace and quiet.
B. He fears Lady Macbeth will hurt someone.
C. He fears Lady Macbeth will try to kill herself.
D. He wants to punish Lady Macbeth for helping to kill King Duncan.
4. In the opening scene at Dunsinane Castle, Macbeth has no patience for his servant. He
says, “Go prick thy face and over-red thy fear. / Thou lily-livered boy.” What does his
treatment of the servant tell you about how Macbeth’s character has changed?
A. He has grown brutal.
B. He has remained honorable.
C. He has become a coward.
D. He has lost his confidence.
5. Why does Lady Macbeth kill herself?
A. She knows Macbeth will lose his crown.
B. She cannot bear her guilt.
C. She is under attack by Malcolm’s army.
D. She is afraid of Macbeth.
6. Why does Malcolm tell his soldiers to cut down branches of trees to carry as they
march?
A. so Macbeth can see that Birnam Wood is moving
B. so his men will not see how formidable the castle is that they are to attack
C. so they can use the branches to start a fire and burn down the castle
D. so Macbeth will not know how many men are in the army
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7. When does Macbeth first realize that he has been tricked by the prophecies of the
witches?
A. when he learns of Lady Macbeth’s madness
B. when he fights and kills Young Siward
C. when he learns that Lady Macbeth has killed herself
D. when he sees Birnam Wood moving toward him
8. In the final battle, Macbeth fights bravely, even after he learns he will probably die.
How does his courage affect the reader?
A. It reminds the reader that Macbeth still has some noble qualities.
B. It shows that Macbeth does not believe in the witches’ prophecy.
C. It explains why Macbeth is such an evil man.
D. It shows that he is a failure as king.
9. In her mad scene, Lady Macbeth declares, “Out, damned spot! Out, I say!” What spot is
she talking about?
A. It is an imaginary spot that stands for the evil done by Macbeth.
B. The spot represents Malcolm, who is now attacking Macbeth at Dunsinane Castle.
C. The spot is blood from King Duncan’s murder that she imagines she has on her
hands.
D. The spot represents the gentlewoman who is spying on her with the doctor.
10. What is Macbeth’s tragic flaw?
A. hatred
B. lack of a conscience
C. envy
D. ambition
11. As Macbeth awaits the battle at Dunsinane Castle, he demonstrates that he is no
longer touched by either fear or horror. Which of the play’s themes does his behavior
underscore?
A. conflict between love and ambition
B. senselessness of battle
C. destructiveness of blind ambition
D. betrayal of friends and family
Vocabulary and Grammar
12. Which words in this sentence make up an adjective clause?
Macduff is the man who kills Macbeth.
A. Macduff is
B. who kills Macbeth
C. is the man
D. kills Macbeth
13. Which words in this sentence make up an adverb clause?
Malcolm rules Scotland after Macbeth is slain.
A. Malcolm rules Scotland
B. rules Scotland
C. Macbeth is slain
D. after Macbeth is slain
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14. Which vocabulary word best completes this sentence?
The trees of Birnam Wood become
of Macbeth’s downfall when the soldiers carry
them toward Dunsinane.
A. perturbations
B. victims
C. clamorous
D. harbingers
15. Which vocabulary word best completes this sentence?
Lady Macbeth’s guilt causes a
of her spirit.
A. perturbation
B. harbinger
C. clamor
D. renewal
Essay
16. We often witness the evil acts of villains in movies, stories, and plays. It is satisfying to see
them get what they deserve. In an essay, discuss whether Macbeth has gotten what he
deserved or whether he has gotten off too easily. Is his downfall satisfying to you? Why or
why not? Give reasons and examples as well as details from the play to support your
answer.
17. In an essay, discuss the importance of the witches and their prophecies in The Tragedy of
Macbeth. Would events have happened as they did if the witches had not appeared before
Macbeth? Would prophecies like those the witches made change the course of current
events in today’s world the way they did in Macbeth’s or Shakespeare’s time? Give details
from the story to support your ideas.
18. Thinking About the Essential Question: What is the relationship of the writer
to tradition? Write an essay describing Macbeth as a traditional tragic hero. What is his
tragic flaw? How does it lead to his downfall? Support your essay with examples from The
Tragedy of Macbeth.
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