A Link to a modern story
In Act V, Scene 5, there are two main themes which create the tone, mood, atmosphere and morals in the scene. These three themes include:
- The Importance of loyalty and honour in society
- The overthrow of Natural Order
The importance of loyalty and honour in a society
At the beginning of the play Macbeth is a loyal and honourable until he plans to murder Duncan and usurp the throne. From this, an earthquake effect touches all characters in the play to see if they are loyal, honourable or if they go against this. If the play did not have loyal and honourable members such as Banquo, and had more characters like Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, then there would be civil walls and rebellions against the rulers. Loyalty and honour are necessary for the health of the kingdom.
Macbeth goes against loyalty and honour in Act V, scene 5 as when he hears about the passing of Lady Macbeth’s life, he does not show honour or loyalty but rather no sympathy at all. Macbeth is driven by power, with no time to spare on loved ones. If Macbeth cared, loved and was loyal to his late wife, they would be posed by love and not power. Their lives would not incorporate murder, blood, mental health and most importantly they would still be alive. Loyalty and honour is ideal in a society as it keeps order and maintains friendships and relationships.
The overthrow of the natural order
Natural Order is created to maintain balance, equality and order in society. When certain figures believe they can overturn this, then the natural order is broken. Acts such as murder, war, suicide and witchcraft are accompanied by unnatural events in nature. This theme is very closely linked with the reversal of values.
In Act V, scene 5, natural order has been broken due to the outbreak of war at Macbeth’s castle. “As I did stand my watch upon the hill, I looked toward Birnam, and anon methought. The wood began to move”. This quote by Macbeth shows the war waiting outside his door step. The soldiers have been compared to as trees, enforcing the point “the wood began to move”. War is not natural. It displaces people, makes them homeless and causes deaths. This is against natures order, and all because of Macbeth’s decision to kill Duncan (the former King).
Also in the Act V, scene 5, Macbeth does not follow the natural order of grieving for his late wife’s death. Everyone grieves differently but Macbeth did not show any signs of sadness or lust. Macbeth only cared about the social hierarchy, the power and not the one who cared for him the most.
- The Importance of loyalty and honour in society
- The overthrow of Natural Order
The importance of loyalty and honour in a society
At the beginning of the play Macbeth is a loyal and honourable until he plans to murder Duncan and usurp the throne. From this, an earthquake effect touches all characters in the play to see if they are loyal, honourable or if they go against this. If the play did not have loyal and honourable members such as Banquo, and had more characters like Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, then there would be civil walls and rebellions against the rulers. Loyalty and honour are necessary for the health of the kingdom.
Macbeth goes against loyalty and honour in Act V, scene 5 as when he hears about the passing of Lady Macbeth’s life, he does not show honour or loyalty but rather no sympathy at all. Macbeth is driven by power, with no time to spare on loved ones. If Macbeth cared, loved and was loyal to his late wife, they would be posed by love and not power. Their lives would not incorporate murder, blood, mental health and most importantly they would still be alive. Loyalty and honour is ideal in a society as it keeps order and maintains friendships and relationships.
The overthrow of the natural order
Natural Order is created to maintain balance, equality and order in society. When certain figures believe they can overturn this, then the natural order is broken. Acts such as murder, war, suicide and witchcraft are accompanied by unnatural events in nature. This theme is very closely linked with the reversal of values.
In Act V, scene 5, natural order has been broken due to the outbreak of war at Macbeth’s castle. “As I did stand my watch upon the hill, I looked toward Birnam, and anon methought. The wood began to move”. This quote by Macbeth shows the war waiting outside his door step. The soldiers have been compared to as trees, enforcing the point “the wood began to move”. War is not natural. It displaces people, makes them homeless and causes deaths. This is against natures order, and all because of Macbeth’s decision to kill Duncan (the former King).
Also in the Act V, scene 5, Macbeth does not follow the natural order of grieving for his late wife’s death. Everyone grieves differently but Macbeth did not show any signs of sadness or lust. Macbeth only cared about the social hierarchy, the power and not the one who cared for him the most.