Macbeth

by William Shakespeare

Cite this Web Page

No sweat. We'll create your citation for you.

More Info

Stickies


Show All \| Hide All

Dictionary

Double-click a word and we'll look it up for you

Macbeth Act V, Scene x Summary

Macbeth enters the stage alone and says he refuses to "play the Roman fool" (one who would choose noble suicide in the face of defeat – see Antony and Cleopatra). Instead, he will lash out at any living thing he sees, so valueless is life.
Macduff enters and calls Macbeth a "hell-hound" and Macbeth talks a little trash in return: I already killed your family so you best be steppin' back now unless you want me to have your blood on my hands too.
Macduff is having none of it. They fight, and Macbeth continues to be cocky. He says Macduff hasn't got a chance since he, Macbeth, can't be killed by anyone "of woman born."
That's funny, says Macduff, because "Macduff was from his mother's womb / Untimely ripped." Note: That means he was delivered, prematurely, via cesarean section. And yes, Macduff actually refers to himself in the third person here.
Upon hearing this news, Macbeth curses the "juggling fiends" who knowingly gave him a sense of false security by issuing a twisted prophesy.
Realizing this, Macbeth says he will fight Macduff no more, yet he will not yield to Malcolm as an ordinary citizen.
Then he thinks about it and realizes he really has to pick one. Though he knows he is beat by the prophecy, he fights to the last. Macbeth throws up his shield but is slain by Macduff anyway.

Are you sure you want to delete this ?

Save to a Folder:

or Cancel

Organize your stuff into a folder! Later you can access your folders in the toolbar.

Save to a Folder:


	Saved to [Folder Name] Tip: Click on My Folders in your toolbar to quickly find your saved stuff.