Macbeth Act 5: Scene 2 Commentary

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English Commentary Final – Act 5: Scene 2

This passage is extracted from the final act (Act 5, Scene 1), where Lady Macbeth’s speech publicly reveals her true nature. After having suffered from enormous pressure, Lady Macbeth’s guilt is exposed. The audience has not seen Macbeth since Act 3, Scene 4, where Lady Macbeth criticises his flaws. Lady Macbeth’s speech demonstrates that she cannot wipe away the blood on her hands (or her guilt); indicating that her battle to suppress her guilty conscience has failed completely. As the doctor and the gentlewoman talk about Lady Macbeth’s unusual behaviour, the audience hears of a letter that she reads, “...I have seen her...take forth paper, fold it, write upon’t, read it, afterwards seal it...” (Act 5, Scene 1). This letter is a visual reminder of her reading the fateful letter in Act I, Scene 5 but now she reads with agitation rather than expectation.

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Lady Macbeth appears on stage (in a state of somnambulism) holding a candle in her hand. The audience then learns that “she has a light by her continually” which may or may not represent her phobia of the dark (or Nyctophobia). Light symbolises knowledge, which is the removal of the phobia of the unknown. It is clear to the audience that Lady Macbeth’s conscience has changed. This is also a reason why her words seem incomprehensible – however, the audience are still able to distinguish and comprehend the majority of her speech.

The scene begins with a doctor questioning a ...

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