Macbeth Act V Scene II: Line-by-Line Paraphrase, Explanation and Word Meanings
Macbeth Act V, Scene II takes us into the countryside near Dunsinane, where Scottish nobles prepare to join the army opposing Macbeth. The tyrant is strengthening his fortress, but his hold over Scotland is weakening. Angus describes followers who obey his commands without loving him, while Macbeth’s royal title hangs loosely around him “like a giant’s robe / Upon a dwarfish thief”.
This English Mines guide offers a line-by-line paraphrase, clear explanations and contextual word meanings. As you read, explore how Shakespeare connects Macbeth’s guilty conscience with the country’s political disorder. Blood, clothing, medicine and gardening imagery reveal why the nobles see Malcolm as Scotland’s hope of recovery.
Complete Line-by-Line Close Reading
Compare each numbered original line with the corresponding paraphrase. Vocabulary and explanation follow in the right column.
Original Shakespearean Text | Modern Paraphrase and Notes |
Stage direction Opening The country near Dunsinane. [Enter, with drum and colours, MENTEITH, CAITHNESS, ANGUS, LENNOX, and Soldiers] | Paraphrase In the countryside near Dunsinane, Menteith, Caithness, Angus, Lennox and soldiers enter, accompanied by a drum and military flags. Word meanings colours: military flags or standards; thanes: Scottish noblemen; Dunsinane: the place where Macbeth has his stronghold. Explanation The nobles march to join the forces opposing Macbeth. Their drum and flags establish an organised military movement. Macbeth is absent; their dialogue describes his condition. Significance Stagecraft: the entrance makes the approaching conflict visible and audible. |
Menteith Lines 1–2 [1] The English power is near, led on by Malcolm, [2] His uncle Siward, and the good Macduff. | Paraphrase [1] The English army is close by, led by Malcolm, [2] his uncle Siward, and the honourable Macduff. Word meanings power: an army or military force; led on: led forward; good: honourable and morally worthy. Explanation Menteith announces that the allied army is approaching. Malcolm, Siward and Macduff lead it. Calling Macduff ‘good’ shows the speaker’s respect for him and contrasts the liberators’ moral standing with Macbeth’s tyranny. Significance Characterisation through an epithet: ‘good’ presents Macduff as a worthy opponent of Macbeth. |
Menteith Lines 3–5 first part [3] Revenges burn in them; for their dear causes [4] Would to the bleeding and the grim alarm [5 first] Excite the mortified man. | Paraphrase [3] They burn with a desire for revenge, because their deeply personal reasons [4] would rouse someone to face bloodshed and the terrible call to battle, [5 first] even someone who had renounced worldly activity. Word meanings revenges: desires to avenge wrongs; dear causes: deeply felt, personal reasons; bleeding: bloodshed; grim alarm: the dreadful call to battle; excite: stir into action; mortified man: a person who has suppressed worldly desires, such as an ascetic. Explanation Their grievances are so powerful that they could stir even a withdrawn, self-denying person into warfare. ‘Mortified’ does not mean embarrassed here. The sentence runs across three lines: their ‘causes’ would ‘excite’ such a man to fight. Significance Metaphor and hyperbole: revenge ‘burns’ like fire, and its force is exaggerated through the example of the ascetic drawn into war. |
Angus Line 5 second part–Line 6 [5 second] Near Birnam wood [6] Shall we well meet them; that way are they coming. | Paraphrase [5 second] Near Birnam Wood [6] we can conveniently meet them, since they are coming by that route. Word meanings well: suitably or conveniently; them: the approaching army led by Malcolm, Siward and Macduff; that way: by that route. Explanation Angus identifies Birnam Wood as the practical meeting place for the Scottish nobles and the allied army. The reference also reminds the audience of the prediction connecting Birnam Wood with Macbeth’s downfall. Significance Foreshadowing and dramatic irony: the audience recognises Birnam’s importance, although the speakers discuss it as a meeting place. |
Caithness Line 7 [7] Who knows if Donalbain be with his brother? | Paraphrase [7] Does anyone know whether Donalbain is accompanying his brother Malcolm? Word meanings be: is, in this question; his brother: Malcolm. Explanation Caithness asks whether both of Duncan’s sons are involved in the approaching campaign. The question briefly shifts the discussion from the army’s route to the people who are with it. Significance Dialogue develops the situation: the question allows Lennox to clarify the army’s membership. |
Lennox Lines 8–11 first part [8] For certain, sir, he is not: I have a file [9] Of all the gentry: there is Siward’s son, [10] And many unrough youths that even now [11 first] Protest their first of manhood. | Paraphrase [8] He certainly is not, sir. I have a list [9] of all the gentlemen: Siward’s son is among them, [10] along with many beardless young men who are now [11 first] giving their first proof of adult courage. Word meanings file: a list or register; gentry: gentlemen of noble or respectable rank; unrough: not yet rough with a beard; protest: demonstrate or declare; first of manhood: first evidence of adult courage. Explanation Lennox confirms Donalbain’s absence and mentions young recruits, including Siward’s son. They are entering battle to prove themselves. ‘Protest’ means demonstrate here, rather than complain. Their youth gives the campaign a sense of fresh energy, but also vulnerability. Significance Motif of manhood: courage is associated with military action. The mention of Siward’s son prepares for his later role. |
Menteith Line 11 second part [11 second] What does the tyrant? | Paraphrase [11 second] What is the tyrant Macbeth doing? Word meanings tyrant: a ruler who uses power cruelly and unjustly. Explanation Menteith calls Macbeth ‘the tyrant’ instead of ‘the king’. His choice of word rejects Macbeth’s moral authority and turns the conversation towards the enemy’s preparations. Significance Loaded diction: ‘tyrant’ reveals condemnation of Macbeth’s rule. |
Caithness Lines 12–14 [12] Great Dunsinane he strongly fortifies. [13] Some say he’s mad; others that lesser hate him [14] Do call it valiant fury; but, for certain, | Paraphrase [12] He is strengthening the defences of his great stronghold at Dunsinane. [13] Some call him mad; others who hate him less [14] describe his behaviour as courageous rage. But one thing is certain: Word meanings fortifies: strengthens against attack; lesser hate him: hate him less; valiant: brave; fury: violent anger or frenzy. Explanation Macbeth prepares for an attack, but observers disagree about his mental state. ‘Valiant fury’ is the more favourable description used by those who dislike him less. Caithness reports opinions; he does not establish a medical diagnosis. His certain conclusion comes in the next lines. Significance Contrast in judgement: ‘mad’ and ‘valiant fury’ show how attitudes towards Macbeth shape descriptions of his behaviour. |
Caithness Lines 15–16 first part [15] He cannot buckle his distemper’d cause [16 first] Within the belt of rule. | Paraphrase [15] He cannot fasten his disordered affairs [16 first] within the limits of orderly government and control. Word meanings buckle: fasten or secure; distemper’d: disordered, diseased or disturbed; cause: his affairs and political enterprise; rule: government, order or control. Explanation Caithness imagines Macbeth’s troubled cause as something that cannot be secured by a belt. Macbeth cannot bring his affairs into order, despite fortifying his castle. The line suggests both political disorder and an inability to govern himself. Significance Metaphor: the ‘belt of rule’ turns effective government into a restraining belt. ‘Distemper’d’ also introduces the scene’s language of disease. |
Angus Line 16 second part–Line 18 [16 second] Now does he feel [17] His secret murders sticking on his hands; [18] Now minutely revolts upbraid his faith-breach; | Paraphrase [16 second] Now he feels [17] the guilt of his concealed murders clinging to his hands, [18] while rebellions occurring every moment reproach him for his betrayal. Word meanings sticking: clinging and refusing to come away; minutely: every minute or continually; revolts: rebellions or acts of desertion; upbraid: reproach or condemn; faith-breach: violation of trust or loyalty. Explanation Angus links Macbeth’s inward guilt with the resistance outside him. The murders cling to him like blood on a murderer’s hands. Each rebellion is a new accusation against his broken trust. His crimes now damage both his conscience and his power. Significance Blood imagery and personification: guilt appears as a stain, while the revolts seem to speak accusations. Repeated ‘Now’ stresses that consequences have arrived. |
Angus Lines 19–20 first part [19] Those he commands move only in command, [20 first] Nothing in love; | Paraphrase [19] The people he commands act only because they are ordered to do so, [20 first] and not at all because they love him. Word meanings move: act or take action; in command: in obedience to an order; nothing: not at all; in love: out of affection or willing loyalty. Explanation Macbeth still issues orders, but obedience no longer proves loyalty. His followers act under compulsion rather than affection. This distinction exposes the weakness beneath his outward authority and helps explain the growing defections. Significance Antithesis: ‘command’ is opposed to ‘love’, contrasting enforced obedience with freely given allegiance. |
Angus Line 20 second part–Line 22 first part [20 second] now does he feel his title [21] Hang loose about him, like a giant’s robe [22 first] Upon a dwarfish thief. | Paraphrase [20 second] Now he feels that his royal title [21] hangs loosely around him, like a giant’s robe [22 first] worn by a tiny thief. Word meanings title: his rank and authority as king; hang loose: fit badly; giant’s robe: clothing made for someone much greater; dwarfish: extremely small in comparison; thief: someone who has stolen what is not rightfully his. Explanation The royal office is too great for Macbeth’s moral stature. He has seized the crown, but lacks the qualities needed to deserve it. ‘Thief’ condemns his usurpation. ‘Dwarfish’ describes his unworthiness within the comparison, not his actual height. Significance Simile and clothing imagery: the oversized robe makes the mismatch between royal status and personal worth vividly visible. |
Menteith Line 22 second part–Line 25 first part [22 second] Who then shall blame [23] His pester’d senses to recoil and start, [24] When all that is within him does condemn [25 first] Itself for being there? | Paraphrase [22 second] Who, then, can blame [23] his tormented mind for shrinking back and becoming frightened, [24] when everything within him condemns [25 first] itself for remaining inside such a guilty man? Word meanings pester’d: tormented or troubled; senses: mental faculties; recoil: shrink back in alarm; start: react suddenly in fear; condemn: judge guilty or denounce; there: within Macbeth. Explanation Menteith suggests that Macbeth’s mental agitation is understandable because his whole inner being is at war with itself. Even his own faculties seem ashamed to inhabit him. This may suggest limited pity for his suffering, while preserving condemnation of his crimes. Significance Rhetorical question and personification: his inward faculties become judges of the man they inhabit. The question emphasises the inevitable effects of guilt. |
Caithness Line 25 second part–Line 26 [25 second] Well, march we on, [26] To give obedience where ’tis truly ow’d; | Paraphrase [25 second] Come, let us continue marching, [26] and give our allegiance to the person who rightly deserves it. Word meanings march we on: let us march onwards; ’tis: it is; ow’d: owed or due; where: to the rightful recipient, Malcolm. Explanation Caithness turns discussion into action. The nobles choose to support Malcolm, whom they regard as the rightful ruler. Their willing allegiance contrasts with the reluctant obedience Macbeth receives. Significance Contrast in kingship: obedience is morally justified when it is given to a ruler who deserves it. |
Caithness Lines 27–29 first part [27] Meet we the medicine of the sickly weal, [28] And with him pour we in our country’s purge [29 first] Each drop of us. | Paraphrase [27] Let us meet Malcolm, the remedy for our suffering nation, [28] and, together with him, pour into the cleansing of our country [29 first] every drop of our blood and all our strength. Word meanings medicine: remedy, here Malcolm; sickly weal: diseased commonwealth or suffering country; purge: cleansing treatment to remove what is harmful; each drop of us: all our blood, strength and commitment. Explanation Scotland is imagined as a sick body and Malcolm as its cure. Removing tyranny will cleanse the nation. The nobles offer complete service and, if necessary, their lives. Their language treats the campaign as a public duty as well as a military struggle. Significance Extended medical metaphor: Scotland is the patient, Malcolm the remedy, and the struggle against tyranny the cleansing treatment. |
Lennox Line 29 second part–Line 31 [29 second] Or so much as it needs [30] To dew the sovereign flower and drown the weeds. [31] Make we our march towards Birnam. | Paraphrase [29 second] Or as much of our blood as is needed [30] to nourish the rightful royal flower and destroy the harmful weeds. [31] Let us march towards Birnam Wood. Word meanings dew: moisten or nourish, as with dew; sovereign: royal or supreme; sovereign flower: Malcolm, the rightful ruler; weeds: Macbeth and the harmful forces of his tyranny; Make we: let us make. Explanation Lennox slightly qualifies Caithness’s offer: they will give whatever sacrifice the country needs. He changes the image from healing a sick body to tending a garden. Malcolm must flourish, while tyranny must be removed. His final command sets the army moving towards Birnam. Significance Extended gardening metaphor: the royal flower is nourished and weeds are destroyed. The contrast makes restoration and removal equally necessary. |
Stage direction Closing [Exeunt, marching] | Paraphrase They all leave the stage while marching. Word meanings Exeunt: they go out; marching: moving in military formation. Explanation The scene closes with collective action. The nobles’ shared judgement of Macbeth becomes a united movement towards Birnam and the approaching battle. Significance Stagecraft: the marching exit maintains the military momentum established by the opening drum and flags. |
Explore more for Macbeth Act IV, Scene III: Line-by-Line Paraphrase, Explanation and Word Meanings
Key Imagery and Themes
Authority and willing loyalty
Macbeth’s followers obey ‘only in command’, while the nobles freely support Malcolm. The contrast distinguishes a ruler’s power to issue orders from the trust and moral worth that inspire lasting allegiance.
Guilt made visible
Murders ‘sticking on his hands’ make guilt an enduring stain. Repeated ‘Now’ connects past crimes to present consequences: rebellion threatens Macbeth outside, while self-condemnation destroys his peace within.
The robe and the unworthy wearer
The ‘giant’s robe’ simile makes kingship larger than Macbeth’s character can fill. The thief has seized what he does not deserve. The image concerns legitimacy and moral stature, not actual height.
Healing the country
Medical imagery makes Scotland the patient and Malcolm the remedy. Gardening imagery makes him the flower to nourish. Both present resistance as restoration: tyranny must be removed so national life can recover.
Birnam and the approaching climax
The nobles discuss Birnam as a meeting place. The audience also remembers its connection with the prediction about Macbeth’s safety. This difference in understanding adds dramatic irony and prepares the final conflict.
Manhood and the cost of battle
The beardless recruits seek their ‘first of manhood’ in courageous action. Their youth gives the campaign fresh energy, while reminding us that recovery may require sacrifice from those just entering adulthood.
Ready Reckoner
Situation Scottish nobles march towards Birnam to join the army led by Malcolm, Siward and Macduff.
Macbeth’s condition Fortified outside; disordered within. He has orders at his disposal, but little willing loyalty.
Four Images to Remember
Stained hands The secret murders cling to Macbeth as guilt.
Oversized robe The royal title exceeds Macbeth’s moral worth.
Medicine and purge Malcolm and the campaign are imagined as a cure for Scotland.
Flower and weeds Legitimate kingship must be nourished and harmful tyranny removed.
Five Things You Must Not Forget
Macbeth is absent from the scene; other characters describe him.
Donalbain is not with Malcolm’s army; Siward’s son is present.
“Mortified” means withdrawn from worldly desires; “protest” means demonstrate.
“Dwarfish thief” is a figurative judgement of worth and legitimacy.
Birnam is the meeting place and an important reminder of the prediction.
Be Careful
Reported opinions “Mad” and “valiant fury” are alternative descriptions of Macbeth. The speakers’ certainty concerns his inability to bring his affairs into order.
Meaning of sacrifice “Each drop of us” expresses complete dedication and willingness to shed blood; it does not report a death in this scene.
Answer approach Identify the speaker and context; paraphrase the words; explain the image; connect the theme.
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