CRITICAL ANALYSIS & INTERPRETATION QUESTIONS FOR ACT FIVE
1. In Scene one, WHY DOES LADY MACBETH WASH HER HANDS CONSTANTLY? WHAT EVIDENCE IS GIVEN TO SHOW SHE IS GOING CRAZY?
2. In Scene two, WHY DO THEY THINK MACBETH IS RIPE TO BE DEFEATED AS KING? WHAT ARE THE REASONS THEY ARE AGAINST MACBETH AND FOR MALCOLM?
3. In Scene three, WHAT ARE MACBETH's FEARS AND ORDERS CONCERNING HIS KINGDOM AND LADY MACBETH?
4. In scene four, WHAT IS LEADING THESE MEN FORWARD IN THEIR THOUGHTS OF BATTLE? WHY ARE THEY CONFIDENT?
5. In scene five, WHAT APPARITIONS ARE COMING TRUE? HOW ARE THINGS BEGINNING TO UNRAVEL FOR MACBETH?
6. In scene six, WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS SCENE BEING INCLUDED?
7. In scene seven, WHAT ARE MACDUFF's CHIEF MOTIVATIONS?
8. In scene eight, WHAT DOES MACDUFF SAY THAT CAUSES MACBETH TO FEAR HIM? HOW DOES THIS ALSO WORK TO SURPRISE THE AUDIENCE?
Final resolutions: what are the final impressions the audience is left with about the kingdom and its stability? What, if any, lessons have been learned from this conflict and shifting of power?
