Act 5, Scene 2 – The English Army Approaches
The Thanes talk about the English army’s arrival and about Macbeth’s unpopularity as king.
“The grim alarm excite the mortified man”
The Scottish Lords are preparing to attack Macbeth. This scene builds tension in
anticipation of the battle.
“Near Birnam Wood shall we meet them” – Theme: Reality and Appearances
They plan to meet the English army – this reminds of the Witches’ prophecy that
Macbeth will be defeated when Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane.
“His secret murders sticking on his hands” – Shakespeare’s Techniques
Angus’ language echoes Lady Macbeth’s attempts to wash the blood from her hands.
“Now does he feel his title hang loose about him, like a giant’s robe upon a dwarfish
thief” – Shakespeare’s Techniques
Angus describes Macbeth as a ‘dwarfish thief’ wearing a ‘giant’s robe’ – the
responsibility of being king is too great for Macbeth.
“Meet we the med’cine of the sickly weal” – Shakespeare’s Techniques
Shakespeare uses imagery to describe Scotland as unwell. Caithness talk about ‘the
sickly weal’ (wound) and refers to Malcolm as the ‘med’cine’ that will heal the country.
“To dew the sovereign flower and drown the weeds” – Shakespeare’s Techniques
Lennox describes Malcolm as the ‘sovereign flower’. He also wants to ‘drown the weeds’
(get rid of Macbeth). He compares Macbeth to a weed because he’s preventing anything
else from growing and he’s destroying the land.
The Thanes talk about the English army’s arrival and about Macbeth’s unpopularity as king.
“The grim alarm excite the mortified man”
The Scottish Lords are preparing to attack Macbeth. This scene builds tension in
anticipation of the battle.
“Near Birnam Wood shall we meet them” – Theme: Reality and Appearances
They plan to meet the English army – this reminds of the Witches’ prophecy that
Macbeth will be defeated when Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane.
“His secret murders sticking on his hands” – Shakespeare’s Techniques
Angus’ language echoes Lady Macbeth’s attempts to wash the blood from her hands.
“Now does he feel his title hang loose about him, like a giant’s robe upon a dwarfish
thief” – Shakespeare’s Techniques
Angus describes Macbeth as a ‘dwarfish thief’ wearing a ‘giant’s robe’ – the
responsibility of being king is too great for Macbeth.
“Meet we the med’cine of the sickly weal” – Shakespeare’s Techniques
Shakespeare uses imagery to describe Scotland as unwell. Caithness talk about ‘the
sickly weal’ (wound) and refers to Malcolm as the ‘med’cine’ that will heal the country.
“To dew the sovereign flower and drown the weeds” – Shakespeare’s Techniques
Lennox describes Malcolm as the ‘sovereign flower’. He also wants to ‘drown the weeds’
(get rid of Macbeth). He compares Macbeth to a weed because he’s preventing anything
else from growing and he’s destroying the land.
