ISC Class 12 English Drama Macbeth Act 5 Scene 2 Important Question Answers
Macbeth Act 5 Scene 2 Question Answers: Looking for ISC Class 12 English Drama Macbeth Act 5 Scene 2 question answers? Look no further! Our comprehensive compilation of important questions will help you brush up on your subject knowledge. Practising ISC Class 12 English question answers can significantly improve your performance in the exam. Our solutions provide a clear idea of how to write the answers effectively. Improve your chances of scoring high marks by exploring Macbeth Act 5 Scene 2 now. The questions listed below are based on the latest ISC exam pattern.
Related:
ISC Class 12 English Drama Macbeth Act 5 Scene 2 Textbook Questions
ASSIGNMENT
Question 1
Choose the correct options for the following questions:
1. ‘What does the tyrant?’ Who is referred to as the tyrant in this line?
(a) Macduff
(b) Donalbain
(c) Macbeth
(d) None of the above.
Ans. (c) Macbeth
2. Who among the following is NOT a Scottish noble who revolted against Macbeth?
(a) Menteith
(b) Angus
(d) Banquo
(c) Caithness
Ans. (d) Banquo
3. According to Angus, why do the soldiers of Macbeth obey him?
(a) Out of love for him
(b) Out of fear
(c) Out of a sense of duty
(d) All of the above.
Ans. (b) Out of fear
4. How do the robes of a king fit Macbeth?
(a) Like robes of a giant stolen by a small thief
(b) Exactly like a king
(c) Exactly like a burglar
(d) None of the above.
Ans. (a) Like robes of a giant stolen by a small thief
5. The imagery of clothing is used in the scene to depict which of the following?
(a) The status of Macbeth is lower than his predecessors
(b) The title of king is ill-fitted on Macbeth
(c) Macbeth enhances his brutality as clothes enhance personality
(d) None of the above.
Ans. (b) The title of king is ill-fitted on Macbeth
6. Who is referred to by Caithness as ‘the medicine of the sickly weal’?
(a) Malcolm
(b) King Edward
(c) Old Siward
(d) Angus
Ans. (a) Malcolm
7. Lennox refers to whom, among the following, as the sovereign flower?
(a) Macduff
(b) Siward’s son
(c) Donalbain
(d) Malcolm
Ans. (d) Malcolm
8. The presence of Siward’s son in Malcolm’s army symbolises
(a) Services of the youth.
(b) Mood of the youth
(c) Resurgence of natural vitality
(d) All of the above.
Ans. (c) Resurgence of natural vitality
Question 2
Complete the following sentences by providing a reason for each:
1. Many Scottish nobles are joining hands with the English forces because______________.
Ans. Many Scottish nobles are joining hands with the English forces because they are determined to seek revenge for Macbeth’s crimes and restore the rightful heir, Malcolm, to the throne.
2. Macbeth is portrayed as losing control over his forces because______________.
Ans. Macbeth is portrayed as losing control over his forces because his soldiers follow his orders only out of fear rather than loyalty, and his own mental state has become unstable and distempered.
3. The imagery of ‘blood’ has been used because______________.
Ans. The imagery of ‘blood’ has been used because it emphasizes the violent nature of Macbeth’s crimes, which stick to his hands and the physical sacrifice the rebels are willing to make to purge the country.
4. Shakespeare has used the imagery of clothing because______________.
Ans. Shakespeare has used the imagery of clothing because it visually represents the idea that Macbeth’s stolen power is an ill-fitting role that does not match his true, treacherous character.
5. The imagery of natural growth is used because ______________.
Ans. The imagery of natural growth is used because it contrasts Macbeth’s destructive weeds with the healthy flowers of the rightful monarchy, showing that the rebellion is a natural process of healing the land.
ISC Class 11 English Drama Macbeth Act 5 Scene 2 Extra Question and Answers
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Q1. Where are the Scottish lords planning to meet the English army?
A. At Macbeth’s castle
B. Near Birnam Wood
C. In the middle of London
D. At the witches’ cave
Ans. B. Near Birnam Wood
Q2. Who is leading the English army mentioned in this scene?
A. King Duncan
B. Banquo
C. Malcolm
D. Lady Macbeth
Ans. C. Malcolm
Q3. According to Angus, why do Macbeth’s soldiers follow his commands?
A. Because they love him
B. Because they are paid well
C. Only because they are ordered to, not out of love
D. Because they believe he is the rightful king
Ans. C. Only because they are ordered to, not out of love
Q4. What famous comparison does Angus use to describe Macbeth’s title of King?
A. A crown of thorns
B. A giant’s robe on a dwarfish thief
C. A shining star in the night sky
D. A heavy stone around his neck
Ans. B. A giant’s robe on a dwarfish thief
Q5. What are the rumors about Macbeth’s behavior inside Dunsinane?
A. He is throwing a massive party
B. He has run away to another country
C. Some say he is mad; others call it valiant fury
D. He is trying to make peace with Malcolm
Ans. C. Some say he is mad; others call it valiant fury
Q6. Which character is confirmed NOT to be with the army?
A. Macduff
B. Siward
C. Menteith
D. Donalbain
Ans. D. Donalbain
Q7. The lords describe Scotland as being sick. Who do they call the medicine for the country?
A. Macbeth
B. The Witches
C. Malcolm
D. The Doctor
Ans. C. Malcolm
Q8. What does Lennox mean when he talks about ‘dewing the flower’ and ‘drowning the weeds’?
A. He wants to support Malcolm and destroy Macbeth
B. He wants to start a garden
C. He is worried about the weather for the battle
D. He wants to help Lady Macbeth with her sleepwalking
Ans. A. He wants to support Malcolm and destroy Macbeth
Q9. How does Menteith describe Macbeth’s inner feelings?
A. Peaceful and calm
B. Nervous and jumpy because of his guilty conscience
C. Happy and excited for the fight
D. Bored and tired of being King
Ans. B. Nervous and jumpy because of his guilty conscience
Q10. What is Macbeth doing at his castle in Dunsinane?
A. He is surrendering
B. He is sleeping
C. He is strongly fortifying it for battle
D. He is holding a banquet
Ans. C. He is strongly fortifying it for battle
Fill Up Sentences
Complete the following sentences by providing a reason for each:
1. The Scottish lords are marching toward Birnam Wood because______________
Ans. The Scottish lords are marching toward Birnam Wood because they plan to join forces with Malcolm and the English army.
2. Donalbain is mentioned in the conversation because______________
Ans. Donalbain is mentioned in the conversation because Lennox wants to confirm which members of the royal family are present for the battle.
3. Macbeth is strongly fortifying the castle at Dunsinane because______________.
Ans. Macbeth is strongly fortifying the castle at Dunsinane because he knows he is being surrounded by rebels and invaders.
4. Angus says Macbeth’s title hangs loose about him because______________.
Ans. Angus says Macbeth’s title hangs loose about him because Macbeth is morally too small to be a great king and stole a position that doesn’t belong to him.
5. The soldiers inside the castle obey Macbeth only out of command because______________
Ans. The soldiers inside the castle obey Macbeth only out of command because they have no true love or loyalty for a leader who rules through fear and murder.
6. Menteith believes Macbeth is acting jumpy and erratic because______________
Ans. Menteith believes Macbeth is acting jumpy and erratic because his guilty conscience is constantly starting and recoiling from his past crimes.
7. Caithness refers to Malcolm as the medicine of the country because ______________.
Ans. Caithness refers to Malcolm as the medicine of the country because he believes Scotland is sick under Macbeth’s rule and Malcolm is the only one who can cure it.
8. Many unrough youths are joining the English power because______________.
Ans. Many unrough youths are joining the English power because this is their first chance to prove their manhood by fighting for a righteous cause.
9. The lords use the imagery of weeds to describe Macbeth because______________.
Ans. The lords use the imagery of weeds to describe Macbeth because he is seen as a parasitic growth that is destroying the health of the Scottish garden.
10. This scene is set near Birnam Wood because______________.
Ans. This scene is set near Birnam Wood because it reminds the audience of the witches’ prophecy and shows that Macbeth’s fate is quickly catching up to him.
Extra Questions
SHORT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Q1. What is the military situation described at the beginning of this scene?
Ans. In this scene, the military situation is rapidly turning against Macbeth. A group of Scottish noblemen, including Menteith, Caithness, Angus, and Lennox, have gathered their forces to rebel against the tyrant. They are marching toward Birnam Wood, which is a very important location because of the witches’ earlier prophecies. They are not alone in this fight; they are preparing to join a massive English army led by Malcolm, the rightful heir to the throne. Along with Malcolm are his uncle Siward and the vengeful Macduff. The rebels are highly motivated because they feel they are fighting for a cause to fix the bleeding state of Scotland. The atmosphere is tense but organized, showing a clear contrast to Macbeth’s chaotic and crumbling leadership inside his castle.
Q2. How does Angus describe Macbeth’s loss of control and his current reputation?
Ans. Angus provides a vivid description of how Macbeth is failing as a leader. He explains that Macbeth is now feeling the consequences of his secret murders, which seem to be ‘sticking on his hands’. Angus notes that the soldiers who remain with Macbeth are not doing so because they love or respect him; instead, they move only because they are commanded to. This shows that Macbeth has lost all genuine loyalty. Most importantly, Angus uses a famous metaphor to describe Macbeth’s title as king. He says the title hangs loose on Macbeth, like a giant’s robe being worn by a small, pathetic thief. This suggests that Macbeth was never morally or spiritually big enough to be a king. He is essentially a small man hiding behind a stolen, oversized position of power.
Q3. What do the lords say about Macbeth’s state of mind and his behavior at Dunsinane?
Ans. The lords discuss rumors that Macbeth is losing his mind as the enemy forces approach. Caithness mentions that Macbeth is strongly fortifying his castle at Dunsinane, but his behavior is unpredictable. Some people believe he has gone completely mad, while those who hate him a little less describe his actions as valiant fury. This means he is acting with a desperate, wild kind of bravery because he is cornered. Menteith adds that Macbeth’s own senses are ‘recoiling’ and ‘starting’, which suggests that his guilty conscience is making him paranoid and jumpy. He can no longer control his emotions or his kingdom because everything inside him is condemning him for the crimes he has committed. He is a man who has lost his internal peace, making it impossible for him to be an effective commander.
Q4. How do the characters use the imagery of medicine and weeds to describe the war?
Ans. The noblemen view the war not just as a political battle, but as a way to heal a sick country. Caithness refers to Malcolm as the medicine of the ‘sickly weal’, meaning Malcolm is the cure for the diseased state of Scotland. They believe that by fighting for Malcolm, they are helping to purge or clean the country of Macbeth’s corruption. Lennox continues this plant-based imagery by saying they must ‘dew the sovereign flower’ and ‘drown the weeds’. In this comparison, Malcolm is the beautiful, rightful flower that needs to be watered with their loyalty and blood so he can grow. Macbeth, on the other hand, is the ‘weed’ that is choking the life out of the garden of Scotland and must be destroyed. This imagery highlights their belief that the rebellion is a natural and holy act.
Q5. Why is the mention of Birnam Wood significant in this scene?
Ans. The mention of Birnam Wood is incredibly significant because it connects the physical movement of the soldiers to the supernatural prophecies given by the witches. The witches told Macbeth that he would never be defeated until Birnam Wood moved to Dunsinane Hill. Because Macbeth believed trees cannot move, he felt invincible. However, in this scene, the rebels specifically choose Birnam Wood as their meeting point with the English army. This tells the audience that the trap is being set. Even though the soldiers don’t know about the prophecy, their decision to gather there is the first step toward the prophecy coming true in a way Macbeth does not expect. It creates a sense of fate closing in on the main character, as the very place he thought was a sign of his safety is now becoming the base for his enemies.
LONG QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Q1. Who are the specific leaders of the English and Scottish forces mentioned in this scene, and why are they important?
Ans. In this scene, the Scottish noblemen Menteith, Caithness, Angus, and Lennox list the key figures leading the march against Macbeth. On the English side, the primary leader is Malcolm, the son of the murdered King Duncan and the rightful heir to the throne. He is accompanied by his uncle, Old Siward, who is an experienced and respected military commander from England. Another vital figure is Macduff, the Thane of Fife, whose family was brutally murdered by Macbeth. The Scottish lords are eager to join this group because these leaders represent both legal authority and personal justice. The scene also confirms who is missing; Lennox mentions that Donalbain, Malcolm’s brother, is not with the army, which clarifies the hierarchy of the rebellion. Additionally, Lennox points out that there are many unrough youths in the army. These are young, beardless men who are entering their first battle to prove their manhood. These characters are important because they show that the rebellion is a mixture of experienced warriors seeking revenge and a new generation of Scots fighting for a better future. By gathering such a diverse and powerful group of leaders, the play suggests that the entire world is finally uniting to remove the cancer of Macbeth’s rule and restore the proper line of kings.
Q2. How does the metaphor of the distempered cause explain Macbeth’s loss of power?
Ans. Caithness uses a very specific metaphor when he describes Macbeth’s situation, saying that the tyrant cannot ‘buckle his distempered cause within the belt of rule’, meaning Macbeth’s kingdom has become so disorganized and sick that it is no longer possible to control it. Think of a person who has become so swollen or out of shape that they can no longer fasten their belt; in this case, Macbeth’s cause i.e. his government is the body, and the belt is the law and order of the land. Because Macbeth’s power was built on murder and chaos, it is now diseased or out of balance. The scene explores the idea that power must have a moral foundation to be manageable. Because Macbeth lacks that foundation, his authority is bursting at the seams. He is trying to fortify his castle and hold onto his crown, but the lords observe that his control is slipping away like water through his fingers. This metaphor perfectly captures the theme of internal and external chaos. It shows that Macbeth isn’t just fighting an invading army; he is fighting a system of government that he has personally broken beyond repair. He has lost the ability to be a ruler because he has ignored the rules of humanity, leaving him with a mess that no belt can hold together.
Q3. What does Menteith mean when he says Macbeth’s ‘pestered senses are recoiling and starting’?
Ans. Menteith provides a deep look into Macbeth’s psychological state by explaining that the tyrant’s own mind is turning against him. He uses the phrase ‘pestered senses’ to describe how Macbeth is being haunted and annoyed by his own thoughts and memories. The words ‘recoiling and starting’ suggest a physical reaction to guilt, like a person jumping at a sudden noise or flinching away from a scary sight. Menteith argues that no one should blame Macbeth for acting crazy or unstable because everything inside his soul is screaming at him and condemning him for his crimes. This is a very important observation because it shows that Macbeth’s greatest enemy is no longer Malcolm or Macduff, but his own conscience. Every time he thinks about the murder of Duncan, the betrayal of Banquo, or the slaughter of Macduff’s family, his mind ‘recoils’ in horror. He is trapped in a state of constant mental torture where his own brain is his worst critic. This theme of psychological collapse is central to the end of the play. It explains why Macbeth is acting so erratically at Dunsinane; he is mentally exhausted from trying to ignore the voice of his own guilt. By the time the battle begins, Macbeth is already a broken man because his senses have been battered by the weight of his sins.
Q4. How does the scene establish the theme of True Obedience versus Forced Command?
Ans. One of the most powerful points made by Angus in this scene is the distinction between why people follow a good leader and why they follow a tyrant. He notes that the soldiers currently serving Macbeth ‘move only in command’, meaning they are just going through the motions because they are afraid of being punished if they disobey. There is nothing in love behind their actions. This theme of true obedience is contrasted with the Scottish lords who are marching to meet Malcolm. Caithness says they are marching to ‘give obedience where ’tis truly owed’. This implies that loyalty is something that must be earned through goodness and justice, rather than stolen through violence. A rightful king like Malcolm inspires people to sacrifice their lives out of love for their country, whereas a thief like Macbeth can only buy or scare people into temporary service. This is a fatal weakness for Macbeth. As soon as the battle begins, he cannot trust the people standing next to him because their hearts are not in the fight. The scene suggests that a kingdom held together only by fear will eventually fall apart when a better alternative appears. The rebels are not just soldiers; they are volunteers who believe in their mission, which makes them much more dangerous than Macbeth’s reluctant and fearful troops.
Q5. What is the significance of the Purge imagery used by Caithness and Lennox?
Ans. At the end of the scene, Caithness and Lennox use medical and environmental imagery to describe their plan for Scotland. Caithness talks about pouring out ‘each drop of us’ into the ‘country’s purge’. A purge is a medical treatment used to clean out toxins or poisons from a body. By using this word, he is suggesting that Macbeth is a literal poison that has infected the land of Scotland. The only way to make the country healthy again is to purge him through war. Lennox adds to this by saying they will ‘dew the sovereign flower’ i.e. Malcolm and ‘drown the weeds’ i.e. Macbeth. This imagery turns the political rebellion into a natural, almost holy process. In their minds, they are like gardeners pulling out a parasitic weed that is killing the rest of the garden. This is significant because it justifies their violence. They don’t see themselves as traitors or murderers; they see themselves as doctors and caretakers of the earth. The use of the word ‘sovereign’ for the flower also reinforces that Malcolm is the natural, God-chosen king. This imagery prepares the audience for the final battle, framing it as a necessary cleansing that will allow Scotland to grow and breathe again. It shifts the tone from a simple power struggle to a grand battle between the forces of life and the forces of death.