Act V: Scene 7
Summary
In a scene
that foreshadows the final destruction of a tyrant in single combat, Macbeth is
challenged by the courageous son of Siward. Immediately afterwards, Macduff is
seen eagerly seeking out the man who was responsible for the murder of his
family. Lastly, it is announced that Macbeth's forces have surrendered
Dunsinane castle. But the business is not yet finished.
Analysis
The image of
paralysis that ended Scene 5 is picked up immediately in Macbeth's image of
himself as a baited bear. He is like a captured wild animal, furious yet unable
to move: "They have tied me to a stake: I cannot fly." All he can do
is to await his destiny. When a single figure enters, Macbeth must wonder,
half-doubtful, whether his nemesis has arrived in the form of young Siward. The
fight itself is preceded by a combat of words in which Siward appropriately
taunts Macbeth with the words "devil" and "lie," words that
have particular significance for his opponent. Macbeth's replies spur Siward
into courageous but futile action. Before his exit, Macbeth gloats over the
corpse of his assailant, with one final mockery: "Thou wast born of
woman."
With ironic
timing, the man who was not born of woman now takes Siward's place on the
battlefield stage. The darkly vengeful figure of Macduff speaks of his
obligation to the souls of his dead family: Revenge must be his and his alone
if he is to escape his personal feelings of guilt at having abandoned his
family.
Describing
the surrender of Macbeth's castle, Old Siward (who at this point is ignorant of
the heroic self-sacrifice of his son) explains that Macbeth's troops
surrendered the castle with little resistance — "gently." Perhaps the
audience recalls the "gentle" King Duncan, who, on his fateful visit
to Macbeth's castle at Inverness in Act I, Scene 6, commented on the sweet air
which surrounded it. Here, we feel that a weight has been lifted: the air will
shortly "smell wooingly" once more.
Glossary
bruited (22)
announced
rendered (22)
surrendered
0 comments:
Post a Comment