Macbeth Study Questions Act 5 KEY
Scene 1:
1. What is Lady Macbeth doing while sleepwalking?
She is obsessively washing her hands and talking about the murders.
2. What does Lady Macbeth mean by “Out, damned spot! Out, I say!”?
She means she cannot rid herself of the guilt from Duncan’s murder,
symbolized by the imaginary bloodstain.
3. What does the doctor mean by “Unnatural deeds do breed unnatural
troubles”?
The doctor means that Lady Macbeth’s unnatural actions, such as her role
in murder, have caused her psychological breakdown.
Scene 2:
4. What are the Scottish noblemen planning to do in this scene?
The noblemen plan to join Malcolm’s forces and march to Dunsinane to
overthrow Macbeth.
5. Why do the noblemen compare Macbeth to a “dwarfish thief”
wearing a “giant’s robe”?
They compare Macbeth to a “dwarfish thief” because he is unfit for the
role of king, and his rule is illegitimate.
6. What do the noblemen mean when they refer to Malcolm as the
“medicine of the sickly weal”?
They see Malcolm as the rightful heir and savior who will restore health
and order to Scotland.
Scene 3:
7. How does Macbeth react to the reports of rebellion?
Macbeth dismisses the reports and clings to the witches’ prophecies,
believing he is invincible.
8. What is Macbeth’s response to the doctor regarding Lady Macbeth’s
condition?
Macbeth tells the doctor to cure her, showing his inability to understand
the emotional toll of their actions.
Scene 4:
Scene 1:
1. What is Lady Macbeth doing while sleepwalking?
She is obsessively washing her hands and talking about the murders.
2. What does Lady Macbeth mean by “Out, damned spot! Out, I say!”?
She means she cannot rid herself of the guilt from Duncan’s murder,
symbolized by the imaginary bloodstain.
3. What does the doctor mean by “Unnatural deeds do breed unnatural
troubles”?
The doctor means that Lady Macbeth’s unnatural actions, such as her role
in murder, have caused her psychological breakdown.
Scene 2:
4. What are the Scottish noblemen planning to do in this scene?
The noblemen plan to join Malcolm’s forces and march to Dunsinane to
overthrow Macbeth.
5. Why do the noblemen compare Macbeth to a “dwarfish thief”
wearing a “giant’s robe”?
They compare Macbeth to a “dwarfish thief” because he is unfit for the
role of king, and his rule is illegitimate.
6. What do the noblemen mean when they refer to Malcolm as the
“medicine of the sickly weal”?
They see Malcolm as the rightful heir and savior who will restore health
and order to Scotland.
Scene 3:
7. How does Macbeth react to the reports of rebellion?
Macbeth dismisses the reports and clings to the witches’ prophecies,
believing he is invincible.
8. What is Macbeth’s response to the doctor regarding Lady Macbeth’s
condition?
Macbeth tells the doctor to cure her, showing his inability to understand
the emotional toll of their actions.
Scene 4:
