1. Macbeth
Act 5 scene Summaries

2. Act 4 Summary
Macbeth confronts the three Weird Sisters and they show him more visions. The visions lead Macbeth to believe that he cannot be killed by any man, giving him a false sense of security. He then plans to send murderers to the castle of Macduff (who is in England ) in order to kill his family.
Meanwhile, Macduff is in England begging Malcolm to return to Scotland and seize the throne from Macbeth who has become a tyrant. Malcolm tests Macduff's loyalty to Scotland and himself, and after being satisfied with Macduff's responses, he agrees to wage war against Macbeth. Malcolm's uncle (Siward) will also aid in the attack.

3. 5:1 – Macbeth’s Castle at Dunsinane
Characters: Doctor, Lady Macbeth‘s attendant, Lady Macbeth
Action: Lady Macbeth is sleepwalking and washing her hands. The Doctor and her attendant watch and discuss.
Staging: Lady Macbeth must have a light near her.
Problem or Solution: Problem—Lady Macbeth has slipped fully into insanity, and now she is a danger to herself.

4. 5:2 – Outside Dunsinane Characters: Mentieth, Caithness, Angus, Lennox
Action: The men gather the troops, discussing how Macbeth is getting ready for attack.
Staging: none in particular
Problem or Solution: neither OR beginning of Solution, as Macbeth will soon be facing his demise

5. 5:3 – Inside Macbeth’s Castle
Characters: Macbeth, Doctor, Seyton
Action: Macbeth still clings to hope that the prophecies are true, but calls for his armor in order to fight. The doctor tells Macbeth about Lady Macbeth’s ―disease.

6. 5:4 – Birnam Wood Characters: Malcolm, Mentieth, Siward, Macduff
Action: Malcolm orders the men to cut down part of a tree to disguise themselves moving closer to Dunsinane.
Staging: lots of soldiers with branches
Problem or Solution: Solution—By the soldiers holding the branches of Birnam Wood, they will ascend on Dunsinane, making the third apparition‘s words come true

7. 5:5 – Inside Macbeth’s Castle
Characters: Macbeth, Seyton
Action: Macbeth learns that Lady Macbeth is dead; a messenger announces Birnam Wood is coming. Macbeth vows to die fighting.
Staging: Inside the castle, flags of Scotland
Problem or Solution: Solution—Lady Macbeth is now dead, seemingly out of her misery. Macbeth braces himself for attack.

8. 5:6 – Outside Macbeth’s Castle
Characters: Malcolm, Siward
Action: The soldiers continue to advance, now without the branches.
Staging: men should be tattered from fighting, should have weapons
Problem or Solution: neither

9. 5:7 – Inside Macbeth’s Castle
Characters: Macbeth, Young Siward, Macduff
Action: Macbeth kills Young Siward and feels temporarily better; Macduff shows up
Staging: men in armor
Problem or Solution: Solution—Macbeth feels comforted knowing that Young Siward was not able to kill him

10. 5:8 – Outside Macbeth’s Castle
Characters: Macbeth, Macbeth, Siward, Malcolm
Action: Maduff fights with and kills Macbeth, later enters with his head on his sword; Siward learns his son was killed; they declare victory and head off to crown Malcolm king.
Staging: Macbeth’s head on Macduff’s sword
Problem or Solution: Solution—Macbeth the tyrant is finally dead and now Malcolm can be king.

11. Act 5 Summary
Lady Macbeth has finally gone mad with guilt over the murders. The once strong and ruthless woman is now a scared child. Doctors are unable to help her.
Some of the Scottish lords are discussing Macbeth's state of mind and have come to the conclusion that they will help Malcolm and Macduff fight against Macbeth. Of course, Macbeth isn't really concerned because the prophecy, he believes, insures that he cannot be killed by any man born of woman.
Macbeth soon confronts Macduff and learns that Macduff was ripped from his mother's side (c-section) and not born naturally. Thus, Macbeth is killed by Macduff, just as Macbeth had conquered the other Thane of Cawdor. Malcolm then becomes the rightful King of Scotland