As the Scottish lords prepare to restore dignity to their
country by ridding themselves of the "tyrant," in Act V of Macbeth
they talk as they await the troops from England. When the British forces led by Malcolm
arrive, the Scottish forces plan to meet them by Birnam Wood. As they wait for these
forces, Menteith asks what the "tyrant" is doing; he is told that Macbeth, in a mad rage
that lacks any self-control fortifies Dunsinane
castle.
He
cannot buckle his distempered causeWithin the belt of
rule. (5.2.17-18)
Angus adds
that the blood of his "secret murders" sticks onto Macbeth's fingers and his control of
his kingdom is falling apart:
readability="13">
Those he commands move only in
command,
Nothing in love. Now does he feel his
title
Hang loose about him, like a giant's
robe
Upon a dwarfish thief.
(5.2.22-25)
Then, Menteith
concludes that no one can blame Macbeth for falling apart if all his senses revolt
against him, if his guilt devours him:
readability="9">
Who then shall
blame
His perstered senses to recoil and
start.
When all that is within him does
condemn
Itself for being
there?(5.2.26-29)
Caithness
declares that their troops will purge the sickly commonwealth soon and Lennox agrees,
saying metaphorically that they will water the royal flower of Malcolm and "drown the
weeds" of Macbeth.
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