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Macbeth Act 5 Scene 5: ISC Class 12 workbook answers

Get notes, workbook solutions, summary, questions and answers, and pdf of the drama/play Macbeth (Act 5 Scene 5) by William
Shakespeare, which is part of ISC Class 12 English. However, the notes should only be treated as references, and changes should be
made according to the needs of the students.

If you notice any errors in the notes, please mention them in the comments

Table of Contents
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Summary
Workbook answers
Multiple Choice Questions
Context questions
Essay question
Extra/additional MCQs
Extra/additional questions and answers

Summary

This scene depicts the crumbling of Macbeth’s world as he faces the consequences of his actions. Confined within Dunsinane castle, he
believes he can outlast his enemies through a siege, hoping they will succumb to starvation and disease. Despite his outward defiance,
Macbeth reveals his inner turmoil and loneliness, lamenting the desertion of his troops and the betrayal of his thanes.

Suddenly, the cries of women within the castle disrupt the tense atmosphere. Seyton, upon investigating, returns with the news of Lady
Macbeth’s death. Macbeth reacts with surprising apathy, suggesting that her death was inevitable and should have happened later,
highlighting his emotional detachment and growing despair.

He then delves into a philosophical contemplation of life’s meaninglessness, comparing life to a “brief candle” that eventually
extinguishes. His words reveal a sense of disillusionment and resignation, acknowledging the futility of his ambition and the fleeting
nature of existence.

Just as Macbeth contemplates mortality, a messenger arrives with alarming news: Birnam Wood appears to be moving towards
Dunsinane. This revelation shatters Macbeth’s remaining hope and exposes the witches’ deceptive prophecy. Filled with rage and
despair, he curses the witches for their manipulation and resolves to face his enemies head-on, even if it means death.

Macbeth’s journey reaches a critical point in this scene. He transitions from defiance to desperation as his world collapses around him.

Workbook answers

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Macbeth orders his soldiers to

a. run away as defeat is imminent b. hang out the banners on the outward walls of the castle c. remove their armours d. not to challenge
the enemies

Answer: b. hang out the banners on the outward walls of the castle

2. Macbeth wants his enemies to

a. die of disease and starvation b. to be killed at once c. be chased and killed d. to be poisoned

Answer: a. die of disease and starvation

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3. The news of the death of the queen is given to Macbeth by

a. his servant b. Seyton c. a messenger d. one of the lords

Answer: b. Seyton

4. Macbeth is given the news that it seems

a. Birnam Wood is moving towards Dunsinane b. Birnam Wood is moving towards Fife c. Birnam Wood is moving towards England d.
Birnam Wood has been completely hacked down by the English army

Answer: a. Birnam Wood is moving towards Dunsinane

5. Macbeth decides to die

a. with harness on his back b. by taking poison c. by hanging himself d. by cutting off his head with his sword

Answer: a. with harness on his back

Context questions

1. Macbeth: I have almost forgot the taste of fears The time has been, my senses would have cool’d To hear a night shriek, and
my fell of hair Would at a dismal treatise rouse and stir As life were in’t. I have supp’d full with horrors Direness, familiar to
my slaughterous thoughts Cannot once start me.

a. What has just been heard and told to Macbeth? How does Macbeth react to defeat differently now?

Answer: The news just heard and told to Macbeth is of the Queen’s death. Macbeth reacts to defeat differently now by showing
indifference to life and a sense of insensibility towards horrors that once would have frightened him. He expresses that he has grown
accustomed to horrors and dire events, so much so that even his “slaughterous thoughts” no longer startle him.

b. What change do we find in Macbeth now? Account for the reason for this change.

Answer: A significant change in Macbeth is his indifference and emotional detachment from life, including the news of the Queen’s
death. The reason for this change is his prolonged exposure to horrors and dire events, which have rendered him insensible to fears and
emotions that would have previously affected him deeply.

c. What does Macbeth’s philosophy about life? What three things does he compare life to?

Answer: Macbeth’s philosophy about life is that it is meaningless and transient. He compares life to a “walking shadow,” a “poor
player” who frets his hour upon the stage, and a “tale told by an idiot,” full of noise and emotional disturbance but ultimately signifying
nothing.

d. What are your feelings about Macbeth at this juncture of the play? Are they feelings of remorse or anger? Justify your
answer.

Answer: At this juncture of the play, feelings towards Macbeth may lean towards pity rather than remorse or anger. Despite his
wrongdoings, Macbeth’s profound despair and philosophical reflection on the futility of life evoke a sense of tragic downfall. His
awareness of life’s meaningless cycle and his inability to feel fear or sorrow even at his wife’s death suggest a man lost to despair,
which may elicit pity.

2. Messenger: Gracious my Lord, I should report that which I say I saw, But know not how to do’t. Macbeth: Well, say, sir.

a. What news does the messenger give to Macbeth? What does Macbeth call him instantly on hearing the news?

Answer: The messenger gives Macbeth the news that Birnam Wood seems to be moving towards Dunsinane. Instantly upon hearing the
news, Macbeth calls the messenger a “liar and slave.”

b. What does the messenger repeat in order to confirm what he has just told Macbeth?

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Answer: To confirm what he has just told Macbeth, the messenger repeats that he saw Birnam Wood moving towards Dunsinane,
describing it as a “moving grove” within a distance of three miles.

c. What does Macbeth threaten to do if the messenger has given a wrong report?

Answer: If the messenger has given a wrong report, Macbeth threatens to hang him alive on the next tree until famine clings to him,
indicating a slow and torturous death by starvation.

d. What does Macbeth recount of the words of the witches told to him? What term does he now use for the witches?

Answer: Macbeth recounts the words of the witches that told him not to fear until Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane. He now uses the
term “fiend” for the witches, indicating his realization of their deceitful nature.

e. What does Macbeth decide to do at the end of the scene? What does this tell us about him?

Answer: At the end of the scene, Macbeth decides to arm himself and go out to meet the foes, signaling his readiness to face death with
“harness on his back.” This tells us about his desperate courage and resolve to fight till the end, despite the ominous signs of his
impending doom.

Essay question

Question. Explore the significance of Macbeth’s soliloquy that begins with “Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow.” What
insights does it offer into his character and state of mind?

Answer: This soliloquy, delivered upon hearing of Lady Macbeth’s death, provides a window into Macbeth’s profound despair and
disillusionment. He likens life to a monotonous progression of meaningless days, each one leading us closer to the ultimate end: death.
He uses powerful metaphors, comparing life to a “brief candle,” a “walking shadow,” and a “poor player” who briefly struts upon the
stage before disappearing. Ultimately, he concludes that life is “a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.”

Through this soliloquy, we gain several key insights into Macbeth’s character:

Overwhelmed by Despair: The weight of his actions and the loss of his wife have driven him to a state of utter hopelessness. He
sees no purpose or meaning in life, only the inevitability of death.
Imagination Faded: His once powerful imagination, which fueled his ambition and downfall, is now extinguished. He is left
facing the harsh reality of his situation with no room for self-deception or fantastical notions.
Embracing Pessimism: Macbeth adopts a bleak outlook on life, viewing it as ultimately futile and meaningless. He believes
humanity to be insignificant and our existence transient and without consequence.

Extra/additional MCQs

1. What does Macbeth order to be done to show defiance against the approaching enemies?

A. Prepare for battle immediately B. Send a peace envoy C. Hang out the banners on the outward walls D. Surrender the castle

Answer: C. Hang out the banners on the outward walls

2. What is Macbeth’s hope regarding his enemies outside the castle?

A. That they would attack at once B. That they would be defeated by his army C. That they would retreat D. That famine and the ague
would destroy them

Answer: D. That famine and the ague would destroy them

3. Who informs Macbeth about the cry of women within the castle?

A. A soldier B. Seyton C. A messenger D. Lady Macbeth

Answer: B. Seyton

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4. What news does Seyton bring to Macbeth?

A. That the enemy has breached the castle B. That Lady Macbeth is dead C. That the witches have been spotted D. That Birnam Wood
is moving

Answer: B. That Lady Macbeth is dead

5. How does Macbeth describe his indifference to fear and horrors?

A. As a result of his bravery B. As a loss of his humanity C. As a consequence of his actions D. As a sign of his power

Answer: B. As a loss of his humanity

6. What does Macbeth compare life to, expressing his nihilistic view?

A. A fleeting shadow B. A grand feast C. A brief candle D. A glorious battle

Answer: C. A brief candle

7. Who brings the news that Birnam Wood seems to be moving towards Dunsinane?

A. A scout B. Seyton C. A messenger D. One of the lords

Answer: C. A messenger

8. How does Macbeth initially react to the messenger’s news about Birnam Wood?

A. He thanks him for his bravery B. He dismisses it as impossible C. He expresses joy D. He accuses him of lying and being a slave

Answer: D. He accuses him of lying and being a slave

9. What does Macbeth threaten to do if the messenger’s report is false?

A. Reward him with gold B. Banish him from the kingdom C. Hang him alive until famine kills him D. Make him lead the attack
against the enemy

Answer: C. Hang him alive until famine kills him

10. What deceptive prophecy of the witches does Macbeth recall?

A. That he would be king forever B. That he could not be killed by any man born of a woman C. That he need not fear until Birnam
Wood comes to Dunsinane D. That he would be defeated in battle

Answer: C. That he need not fear until Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane

11. What decision does Macbeth make upon hearing the news about Birnam Wood?

A. To flee the castle B. To negotiate peace C. To arm and meet the foes D. To hold the castle’s defenses

Answer: C. To arm and meet the foes

12. What does Macbeth wish for regarding the state of the world?

A. Its prosperity B. Its destruction C. A new king D. Peace among nations

Answer: B. Its destruction

13. How does Macbeth plan to face his potential death?

A. By surrendering to the enemy B. With harness on his back C. By escaping in disguise D. By committing suicide

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Answer: B. With harness on his back

14. What signifies the beginning of the battle in the scene?

A. The sound of trumpets B. The cry of the women C. The ringing of the alarm bell D. The arrival of the messenger

Answer: C. The ringing of the alarm bell

15. What does Macbeth express about life’s significance in his soliloquy?

A. It is full of honor and glory B. It is a tale told by an idiot, signifying nothing C. It is a journey towards greatness D. It is a series of
victorious battles

Answer: B. It is a tale told by an idiot, signifying nothing

Extra/additional questions and answers

1. What does Macbeth order his soldiers to do?

Answer: Macbeth orders his soldiers to hang out the banners on the outward walls of the castle.

2. What does Macbeth want his enemies to do?

Answer: Macbeth wants his enemies to die of disease and starvation.

3. Who gives Macbeth the news of the queen’s death?

Answer: Seyton, Macbeth’s servant, gives him the news of the queen’s death.

4. What news does the messenger bring to Macbeth?

Answer: The messenger informs Macbeth that Birnam Wood seems to be moving towards Dunsinane.

5. What does Macbeth compare life to in his soliloquy?

Answer: Macbeth compares life to a brief candle, a walking shadow, and a poor player.

6. What does Macbeth wish for at the end of the scene?

Answer: Macbeth wishes for the destruction of the settled order of the world.

7. How does Macbeth’s reaction to the news of the queen’s death differ from how he would have reacted earlier?

Answer: Macbeth has grown so desensitized to death and horrors that the news of the queen’s death has little to no effect on him, a
stark contrast to how he would have reacted earlier when he would have experienced a cold shudder and his hair would have stood on
end at the mere thought of such a tragic event.

8. What does Macbeth’s soliloquy reveal about his perspective on life and its meaning?

Answer: Macbeth’s soliloquy reveals his deeply pessimistic and cynical view of life, seeing it as meaningless, a brief candle, a walking
shadow, and a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing. This shift in his perspective suggests a loss of the
ambition and drive that once fueled his actions, replaced by a sense of despair and futility.

9. How does Macbeth’s decision to face his enemies head-on at the end of the scene reflect his character development?

Answer: Macbeth’s decision to go out and meet his enemies in battle, even though he knows defeat is imminent, shows a resurgence of
his defiant and impulsive nature. Despite the despair and hopelessness he expresses, he is unwilling to simply surrender and chooses to
die “with harness on [his] back,” demonstrating a glimmer of the pride and self-assurance that once defined his character.

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10. Discuss how Macbeth’s reaction to the news of the queen’s death and his subsequent soliloquy on the nature of life reflect his
deeper psychological and emotional state.

Answer: Macbeth’s reaction to the news of the queen’s death and his subsequent soliloquy on the nature of life provide a profound
insight into his deeper psychological and emotional state. The cold, detached manner in which he responds to the loss of his wife, the
person who was once so intimately connected to his ambitions and actions, suggests a deep-seated emotional withdrawal and
desensitization. His comparison of life to a “brief candle,” a “walking shadow,” and a “tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
signifying nothing” reflects a profound existential crisis, a loss of faith in the meaning and purpose of human existence. This shift in
perspective, from the ambitious, ruthless Macbeth to a man consumed by a sense of futility and despair, underscores the immense
psychological toll his actions have taken on him. The scene thus serves as a powerful exploration of the human psyche, revealing the
corrosive effects of unchecked ambition and the ultimately tragic consequences of defying the natural order.

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