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A summary of Act 5: Scenes 1–8 in William Shakespeare's Macbeth. Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of Macbeth and what it means. Perfect for acing essays, tests, and quizzes, as well as for writing lesson plans.
Lady Macbeth's guilt makes it impossible for her to hide the horrors that she and Macbeth have committed. Her conscience is rebelling against the unnatural fiend that ambition has turned her into. Active Themes
Until Act 5, Macbeth has been tormented with visions and nightmares while Lady Macbeth has derided him for his weakness. Now the audience witnesses the way in which the murders have also preyed on Lady Macbeth. In her sleepwalking, Lady Macbeth plays out the theme of washing and cleansing that runs throughout the play.
Blood: Angus refers to Macbeth saying that Macbeth will feel the wrath of their revenge, for he feels “his secret murders sticking on his hands”. Borrowed robes: It is said he is unfit for the title of king and he achieved that name through unjust methods.
Prodded by his ambitious wife, Lady Macbeth, he murders King Duncan, becomes king, and sends mercenaries to kill Banquo and his sons. His attempts to defy the prophesy fail, however: Macduff kills Macbeth, and Duncan's son Malcolm becomes king.
The main theme of Macbeth —the destruction wrought when ambition goes unchecked by moral constraints—finds its most powerful expression in the play’s two main characters. Macbeth is a courageous Scottish general who is not naturally inclined to commit evil deeds, yet he deeply desires power and advancement.
Themes. chevron_right. Act 5, Scene 1 Summary. The scene begins with a doctor and a gentlewoman discussing Lady Macbeth ’s sleepwalking problem. Lady Macbeth enters with a candle in her hand, seemingly in a trance. She bemoans the killings of Duncan, Banquo, and Lady Macduff and seems to see blood on her hands, which she cannot wash away.
