Macbeth Group

Question:

citiiechick
citiiechick

In Act V, scene 8 of "Macbeth", what is the stucture of the scene?

(the way the ideas, relationships and tension in the scene build up/develop?

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Posted by citiiechick on Saturday September 13, 2008 at 3:49 AM and tagged with act v, macbeth, structure.

Answers:

  1. lit24
    lit24 Teacher
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    eNotes Editor

    Act V Sc.8  marks the 'end' of the plot of "Macbeth."

    It must be remembered that Shakespeare did not have his plays printed and published during his own lifetime. It was the editors of his plays who divided them into 'acts' and 'scenes.' In fact, in some editions of "Macbeth" the last act will be divided into 9 or even 11 scenes! Only we who read the 'text' of the play are conscious of act and scene divisions. So to appreciate the play better we must visualise it as being played out on the Shakespearean stage.

    The limitations of space of an Elizabethan stage did not permit a full scale battle to be shown on the stage, nor  would it have been  possible to show the beheading of Macbeth. This is why the last scene of the  play seems a bit rushed - too many incidents seem to be taking place at the  same time.

    The 'story' of "Macbeth" ends with the beheading of the tyrant Macbeth.  But the climax of the  'plot' of  "Macbeth" is the 'anagnorisis' (the recognition) when Macbeth realises that the witches have deceived him with false prophecies, "And be these juggling fiends no more believed/That palter with us in a double sense." But it is too late for him to repent and he is beheaded. Justice is done, the Divine Right of the King is restored with the beheading of the tyrant and the announcement of Malcolm's coronation at Scone.

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    Posted by lit24 on Saturday September 13, 2008 at 7:38 AM