Macbeth act five

The final act of Macbeth has always been somewhat foreign to me. It seems that exceptions is what drives the play home. Macbeth believes that he is an invincible warrior that can’t be defeated by any man, and will not fall until the trees uproot themselves and move to his fortress.

Specifically, the witches in act 4 tell Macbeth that  “Laugh to scorn the power of man, for none of woman born shall harm Macbeth” (4.1.90-91) and "Macbeth shall never vanquished be until Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill shall come against him" (4.1.105-107). I’ve always thought the first loophole to this to be really strange in that the technicality was that Macduff was prematurely born in what appears to be a c-section. Personally, although it may be a weird way of saying “Macduff can defeat you”, I think it’s fine. It’s a part of what makes Macbeth so unique is how the prophecies are both told and resolved in such an unexpected way.

Also, I believe Shakespeare making a commentary on greed and our inner desires. Part of why Macbeth is committing terrible actions is because of the Witches’ prophecies, but also because it is part of innate character. The prophecies are the spark that lights the fire, revealing his true nature. Everyone has a inner lust for power, and the witches enable him to start taking what he believes is his.