Act 5, Scene 3 – Macbeth isn’t Afraid
Macbeth hears the English army is on its way.
This scene is short, which increases the pace and adds to the drama.
“I have lived long enough” – Character: Macbeth
Macbeth’s soliloquy suggests that he is beginning to despair even though he thinks he is
invincible, because of the apparitions’ prophecies.
Macbeth admits that everything he has done is worthless as he seems to know that the
end is coming.
“Seyton!” – Shakespeare’s Techniques
Macbeth’ servant is called ‘Seyton’, which sounds like Satan – this adds to the hellish
image of Macbeth’s castle.
Macbeth repeatedly calls for Seyton, who doesn’t immediately appear. This shows that
Macbeth isn’t in control of his men, and there is an atmosphere of panic and disorder in
his castle.
“Give me my armour”
When he talks to other characters he is over-confident – this contrasts with when he
called for Seyton, which reflects his unstable state of mind.
“Put mine armour on…Pull’t off, I say” – Character: Macbeth
Macbeth shows signs of going mad – he tells Seyton to help him put his armour on and
then almost straight away tells his to take it off. This shows that Macbeth is anxious and
troubled.
Macbeth is confused and unbalanced. His mental state matches Lady Macbeth’s – the
Doctor says she is ‘troubled with thick coming fancies’.
“Doctor, cast the water of my land, find her disease” – Shakespeare’s Techniques
The scene continues the idea from Scene 2 (lines 27-29) that Scotland needs medicine
and healing. The irony here is that Macbeth himself is the disease.
Macbeth hears the English army is on its way.
This scene is short, which increases the pace and adds to the drama.
“I have lived long enough” – Character: Macbeth
Macbeth’s soliloquy suggests that he is beginning to despair even though he thinks he is
invincible, because of the apparitions’ prophecies.
Macbeth admits that everything he has done is worthless as he seems to know that the
end is coming.
“Seyton!” – Shakespeare’s Techniques
Macbeth’ servant is called ‘Seyton’, which sounds like Satan – this adds to the hellish
image of Macbeth’s castle.
Macbeth repeatedly calls for Seyton, who doesn’t immediately appear. This shows that
Macbeth isn’t in control of his men, and there is an atmosphere of panic and disorder in
his castle.
“Give me my armour”
When he talks to other characters he is over-confident – this contrasts with when he
called for Seyton, which reflects his unstable state of mind.
“Put mine armour on…Pull’t off, I say” – Character: Macbeth
Macbeth shows signs of going mad – he tells Seyton to help him put his armour on and
then almost straight away tells his to take it off. This shows that Macbeth is anxious and
troubled.
Macbeth is confused and unbalanced. His mental state matches Lady Macbeth’s – the
Doctor says she is ‘troubled with thick coming fancies’.
“Doctor, cast the water of my land, find her disease” – Shakespeare’s Techniques
The scene continues the idea from Scene 2 (lines 27-29) that Scotland needs medicine
and healing. The irony here is that Macbeth himself is the disease.
