Macbeth - Act 5
Act 5 was just a lot to take in. I like how in Scene 2 they just blatantly refer to Macbeth as "the tyrant"; they don't sugarcoat it or anything. I mean it definitely is a fitting title because when Seyton appeared in the third scene, Macbeth was bossing him around. Who, other than a tyrant, would control someone named after the devil?
I thought it was interesting how when Lady Macbeth died, Macbeth did not care at all, but that's also totally fair because she was psycho and never really did anything for him besides convince him to ruin his own life.
During this act, the characters kept commenting on how Macbeth was losing it and going crazy. In fact, Menteith stated, "Who then shall blame/ His pestered sense to recoil and start/ When all that is within him does condemn/ Itself for being there?" (5.2.23-25). This quote is basically saying that it's no wonder Macbeth is going insane because after all the bad crimes he's committed, the guilt must be eating him away. However, this is ironic because I don't necessarily think it's the guilt that's the problem. I think he has gone power hungry to the point where he can't feel any emotion, much less remorse. In fact, that explains why he showed no sadness upon hearing the news of his wife's death. It is the greed for authority that is driving him mad, not the regret.
In addition, I found it funny how quick everyone is to pledge loyalty to Malcolm at the end of Scene 2, saying that they'll bleed endless amounts of blood for him. The people in this region are a little too quick to pledge loyalty, in my opinion, for who's to say the same thing that happened to Macbeth won't happen to Malcolm? I just found it amusing because they barely even know their leaders yet they basically give their souls to them.
Lastly, I'd like to point out Shakespeare's cleverness in dealing with the prophecy of the Weird Witches. The whole idea of the army grabbing sticks to make it look like the forest was moving was genius, because as the audience, you automatically assume that just isn't possible. Having Macduff be born by C-section was also a good call; I was really curious to see how that one would play out.
I thought it was interesting how when Lady Macbeth died, Macbeth did not care at all, but that's also totally fair because she was psycho and never really did anything for him besides convince him to ruin his own life.
During this act, the characters kept commenting on how Macbeth was losing it and going crazy. In fact, Menteith stated, "Who then shall blame/ His pestered sense to recoil and start/ When all that is within him does condemn/ Itself for being there?" (5.2.23-25). This quote is basically saying that it's no wonder Macbeth is going insane because after all the bad crimes he's committed, the guilt must be eating him away. However, this is ironic because I don't necessarily think it's the guilt that's the problem. I think he has gone power hungry to the point where he can't feel any emotion, much less remorse. In fact, that explains why he showed no sadness upon hearing the news of his wife's death. It is the greed for authority that is driving him mad, not the regret.
In addition, I found it funny how quick everyone is to pledge loyalty to Malcolm at the end of Scene 2, saying that they'll bleed endless amounts of blood for him. The people in this region are a little too quick to pledge loyalty, in my opinion, for who's to say the same thing that happened to Macbeth won't happen to Malcolm? I just found it amusing because they barely even know their leaders yet they basically give their souls to them.
Lastly, I'd like to point out Shakespeare's cleverness in dealing with the prophecy of the Weird Witches. The whole idea of the army grabbing sticks to make it look like the forest was moving was genius, because as the audience, you automatically assume that just isn't possible. Having Macduff be born by C-section was also a good call; I was really curious to see how that one would play out.
I found the way Shakespeare resolves the prophecies to be clever as well. Its really unique in that it seems that it seems to be impossible for Macbeth to be defeated, yet Shakespeare found a very creative loophole to ensure Macbeth's death.
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