LRJ #5

3/5/09

1.The biggest thing in this scene is the fulfilment of prophecy. This is shown through how many of the prophecies are completed. Earlier in the story, Macbeth was told that he could not lose his castle until the forest walked, "The wood began to move" (5.5.35). Here, the army opposing Macbeth took cover underneath the branches of the local woods, and when they advanced, it looked as if the forest was walking. The second prophecy that was fulfilled was that Macbeth could be killed by no man born from a woman, "Macduff was from his mother's womb/ untimely ripped" (5.8.15-16). Here, Macbeth's prophecy was finally fulfilled by Macduff, whose mother had to have a c-section in order to give birth to Macduff.

2. Candles play an interesting part in this act. In the beginning, there is a candle that is being carried by Lady Macbeth during her sleepwalking bouts from which she is said to be inseparable, "'How came she by that light?'... 'she has light by her continually'" (5.1.21-22) This is just a gentlewoman's wondering while she accompanies a doctor who is trying to treat Lady Macbeth. The light is meant to symbolize what is thought to be good morals at the time (mostly christian) and Lady Macduff attempts to keep them with her at all times to possibly expunge herself of her previous sins. This is supported when later, Macbeth uses the symbol himself, "Out, out brief candle!" (5.5.23). Here Macbeth is ordering the candle out and this is used as a means to prove how crazy he really has gone.