Scene 2
Lady Macduff, in an extremely foreboding conversation with Ross, determines that her husband must have either been mad or indifferent to his family’s well-being to leave for England. Ross tries to comfort her with words of praise for her husband’s judgement by saying, “cruel are the times when we are traitors” (IV.ii.18). Ross leaves and Lady Macduff and her children playfully discuss the matters at hand. A messenger of unknown origin enters and warns Lady Macduff of impending danger and bids she run away with her children. She tries to leave to no avail, for as soon as the messenger comes, the murderers enter and slaughter Lady Macduff and her children. These actions of cruelty show just how far Macbeth will go to ensure his reign of terror.
Scene 3
Macduff, now in England, makes an attempt to get Malcolm, the rightful heir to the Scottish throne, to return home and challenge Macbeth. Malcolm, being the child of politics that he is, refuses, at first, to believe that Macduff is not a double agent of Macbeth’s, just trying to get Malcolm to betray Macbeth, so that Macbeth can have Malcolm killed. Malcolm, to test Macduff’s motives, claims that his own immorality is far worse than even Macbeth’s. Only after Macduff has deemed Malcolm not only unfit to govern but also unfit to live (”Fit to govern? / No, not to live” (IV.iii.101-102)), does Malcolm agree to lead a rebellion against Macbeth. Ready to fight, Malcolm suffers his first setback when Ross reports to Macduff on the death of Macduff’s family. Malcolm, being the great leader, tells Macduff, “Be this [murder] the whetstone of your sword, let grief/ Convert to anger. Blunt not the heart, enrage it” (IV.iii.231-232). This encouragement having been offered, Malcolm proclaims that it is time to mount an offensive against Macbeth.
4
Scene I
This scene opens with a Gentlewoman reporting to the Doctor that she has seen Lady Macbeth sleep walking. She refuses to tell what her mistress said in her sleep. Lady Macbeth enters the room carrying a candle and tries to wash imagined blood from her hands. Her broken language echoes the past murders of Duncan, Lady Macduff, and Banquo.
Scene II
Malcolm, Macduff, and Siward and the English army approach as young men are flocking to join them. Macbeth is having problems keeping his castle together and his soldiers obey him only out of fear.
Scene III
Macbeth receives news of desertions in his arms, and he recalls the Witches predictions. Macbeth is falling apart as he knows the coming battle will be the deciding role in his life. He is angry with any bad news being reported about his status. Macbeth reflects on a bleak future. Here he decides to fight to the death, and orders anyone who bears bad news to be killed. After not being able to help Macbeth in any way, the Doctor deserts as he sees fait drawing nearer.
Scene IV
This scene shows the beginning of the end as one of the predictions of the Witches comes true; Malcolm orders the army to use branches to camouflage their approach. More and More desertions are coming every minute.
Scene V
Macbeth defies the siege as he orders the battlements to be hung on the castle walls. The castle is prepared for the coming siege. Only desertions in Macbeth’s ranks keep him from facing Malcolm’s army. A moment aside from the action shows that Macbeth has lost all sense of fear. The death of Lady Macbeth is brought to Macbeth. A messenger brings the news of the advancing Birnam wood, but Macbeth dismisses his news.
Scene VI
Malcolm instructs his troops to throw aside the tree branches and orders are issued for battle.
Scene VII
Macbeth compares himself to a baited bear as Yound Siward challenges Macbeth. Macbeth steathily kills Yound Siward and boasts again that no man born of woman can kill him. Macduff refuses to fight with mercenaries and seeks only Macbeth. Malcolm enters Macbeth’s surrendered castle.
Scene VIII
Macbeth and Macduff meet as Macbeth continues to boast that no man born of woman can kill him, but Macduff reveals his Caesarean birth. Macbeth refuses to fight after he hears this. Macbeth is determined to go down fighting and is killed by Macduff.
Scene IX
Siward is told of the death of his son and he asks only if he died bravely. Macduff displays Macbeth’s severed head as everyone hails Malcolm as king of Scotland. The nobles are rewarded for their duties and everyone is invited to Scone in celebration.