Macbeth Act V Scene Iii Analysis

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Macbeth's State of Mind in Act V scene iii Lines 1-29 In Act V scene iii of Macbeth, Macbeth receives reports of his army collapsing and his enemies approaching. Initially, Macbeth responds with arrogance and aggression, shown both in his speech and behavior. However when explored in greater depth, the images and words Macbeth emphasizes on in the passage reveal his fear and despondency. Ultimately, beneath the fear and despondency, it becomes apparent that Macbeth is aware that he is essentially doomed when he expresses resignation and world-weariness in the closing speech of the passage. The first hints of Macbeth’s fear and despair can be detected in his monologue at the beginning of the passage. Despite his guise of reckless bravado, the repetitive diction and continuous emphasis of fear reveals his state of mind. The scene begins with Macbeth saying, “Bring me no more reports, let them fly all.” (V.iii.1) Macbeth’s arrogance escalates, as he calls the opposing armies “English epicures,” (V.iii.8) in other words self-indulgent and lazy. He outwardly shows no fear, matching Siward’s description of a “confident tyrant.” (V.iv.8) However, he reiterates the phrase “Then fly false thanes…” (V.iii.7) later, and the repeated “fly” shows his insecurity about thanes defecting to join the English army, which in effect shows Macbeth losing his power as King. He denies being afraid, and repeats so in his speech, “I cannot taint with fear,” (V.iii.3) “‘Fear not, Macbeth,’” (V.iii.6) “[I] shall never sag with doubt nor shake with fear.” (V.iii.10) His repeated denial of fear, however, only more clearly illustrates his anxiety. Macbeth’s tone suggests that he is trying to convince himself that he is unafraid through repeated declarations. His state of mind is also shown through the continuous references he makes to the witches’ prophecies, “Till Birnam Wood remove to
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