Act 5 Scene 8

• What happens in Act 5 Scene 8 in Macbeth?

  1. The final battle between Macbeth and Macduff happens.
  2. Macbeth, confident due to the witches' prophecy that no one born of a woman can harm him, faces Macduff in combat.
  3. Macduff reveals that he was born through caesarean section.
  4. This revelation shocks Macbeth, but Macduff ultimately kills him.
  5. Malcolm, Duncan's son, is declared king.
  6. The scene concludes with peace being restored and the rightful heir to the throne taking power.
• What does it mean when Macbeth says, 'My soul is too much charged with blood of thine already'?

  Macbeth feels guilt for killing. He knows he will die and go to hell.
• What does it mean when Macbeth says, 'juggling fiends no more believed'

  M realises the witches have had power over everything without him knowing. M realises how cunning and clever the witches are, and he feels betrayed.
• What does it mean when Macduff says, 'We'll have thee, as our rare monsters are, painted upon a pole'?

  Macduff is saying that they will display Macbeth's head on a pole, like a rare monster, as a warning to others.
• What does it mean when Malcom says, 'of this dead butcher and his fiend-like queen'?

  1. 'his' implies LM is still just a woman.
  2. 'butcher' Macbeth is only good for killing.
  3. 'queen' LM is still superior even in death and is respected for her cunningness.