ISC Class 12 English Drama Macbeth Act 5 Scene 3 Important Question Answers
Macbeth Act 5 Scene 3 Question Answers: Looking for ISC Class 12 English Drama Macbeth Act 5 Scene 3 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 3 now. The questions listed below are based on the latest ISC exam pattern.
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ISC Class 12 English Drama Macbeth Act 5 Scene 3 Textbook Questions
ASSIGNMENT
Question 1
1. Why does Macbeth say that he need not fear Malcolm?
(a) No one born of woman can harm him
(b) No one born of woman can reach him
(c) No one can make the forest
(d) None of the above.
Ans. (a) No one born of woman can harm him
2. What is meant by Macbeth when he refers to ‘epicures’?
(a) Followers of Macduff
(b) Brave soldiers
(c) Pleasure seekers
(d) Trustworthy soldiers.
Ans. (c) Pleasure seekers
3. Which of the following is NOT one of the blessings of old ages, as described by Macbeth?
(a) Honour
(b) Loyalty of friend
(c) Love
(d) All of the above.
Ans. (d) All of the above.
4. What does Macbeth say that he can look forward to have in his old age?
(a) Peaceful life
(b) Rebellion
(c) Curses
(d) None of the above.
Ans. (c) Curses
5. According to the doctor, how can the patient be cured?
(a) The patient should cure himself
(b) The patient should meditate on his illness
(c) The patient should give up his evil ways
(d) None of the above.
Ans. (a) The patient should cure himself
6. In what state of mind is Macbeth in this scene?
(a) Dejected and defeated
(b) Brave and confident
(c) Peak of self-confidence and despair
(d) None of the above.
Ans. (c) Peak of self-confidence and despair
7. What does the imagery of ‘the sere, the yellow leaf’ indicate about Macbeth’s life?
(a) A life of despair and decay
(b) A life full of diseases
(c) A life of confusion
(d) None of the above.
Ans. (a) A life of despair and decay
8. What does Macbeth’s soliloquy reveal?
(a) His suffering
(b) His old age
(c) His repentance
(d) His plans
Ans. (a) His suffering
Question 2
Complete the following sentences by providing a reason for each:
1. Macbeth tells the messenger, ‘Bring me no more reports’ because ______________.
Ans. Macbeth tells the messenger, ‘Bring me no more reports’ because he is trying to ignore the reality that his Thanes are deserting him and instead wants to rely solely on the witches’ prophecies for a false sense of security. Hearing about the growing English army only fuels the anxiety he is trying to suppress.
2. The weariness of Macbeth is expressed through the disease imagery because______________.
Ans. The weariness of Macbeth is expressed through disease imagery because it emphasises that his guilt and the state of Scotland are not just political problems, but a sickness of the soul. By asking the doctor to purge the land or cleanse a diseased mind, Shakespeare shows that Macbeth’s world is rotting from the inside out due to his moral corruption.
3. Macbeth’s thoughts of old age are a contrast to Duncan’s because______________.
Ans. Macbeth’s thoughts of old age are a contrast to Duncan’s because Duncan died as a beloved king surrounded by genuine honor, loyalty, and friends, whereas Macbeth realizes his own old age will be defined by isolation, hatred, and insincere mouth-honor people. While Duncan’s legacy was one of growth and fertility, Macbeth’s is one of autumn, decay, and a yellow leaf.
ISC Class 11 English Drama Macbeth Act 5 Scene 3 Extra Question and Answers
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Q1. Why does Macbeth feel confident at the beginning of the scene despite the desertion of his Thanes?
A. He believes his army is still larger than the English force.
B. He relies on the prophecies that no man born of woman can harm him.
C. He thinks Lady Macbeth has a plan to defeat the rebels.
D. He has received news that the English king has fallen ill.
Ans. B. He relies on the prophecies that no man born of woman can harm him.
Q2. How does Macbeth describe his current state of life in his yellow leaf speech?
A. He feels like a king at the height of his power.
B. He feels he is in the autumn of his life and has lost all meaning.
C. He is excited about the upcoming battle and the glory it will bring.
D. He is hopeful that his subjects will eventually learn to love him.
Ans. B. He feels he is in the autumn of his life and has lost all meaning.
Q3. What does Macbeth call the servant who brings news of the 10,000 English soldiers?
A. A brave and loyal soldier.
B. His most trusted messenger.
C. A traitor who should be executed immediately.
D. A cream-faced loon and a lily-livered boy.
Ans. D. A cream-faced loon and a lily-livered boy.
Q4. According to the Doctor, what is wrong with Lady Macbeth?
A. She has a deadly physical fever.
B. She has been poisoned by a servant.
C. She is troubled by thick-coming fancies that keep her from sleeping.
D. She is faking her illness to avoid the battle.
Ans. C. She is troubled by thick-coming fancies that keep her from sleeping.
Q5. When Macbeth asks the Doctor to ‘pluck from the memory a rooted sorrow’, what is he really asking for?
A. A way to cure his wife’s broken leg.
B. A potion to make his soldiers braver.
C. A way to erase the guilt and mental suffering caused by his crimes.
D. A poison to use against the English army.
Ans. C. A way to erase the guilt and mental suffering caused by his crimes.
Q6. What is the Doctor’s response when Macbeth asks him to cure a mind diseased?
A. He says he can cure it with a special herbal tea.
B. He says the patient must heal their own soul.
C. He says Macbeth must repent for his sins to be cured.
D. He says he needs more money before he can help.
Ans. B. He says the patient must heal their own soul.
Q7. Who is Seyton in this scene?
A. Macbeth’s last loyal officer and armor-bearer.
B. A ghost who appears to haunt Macbeth.
C. The leader of the English army.
D. A doctor from a neighboring kingdom.
Ans. A. Macbeth’s last loyal officer and armor-bearer.
Q8. What does Macbeth command his servants to do to those who talk of fear?
A. Give them a reward for their honesty.
B. Send them to the English camp.
C. Hang them.
D. Promote them to higher ranks.
Ans. C. Hang them.
Q9. Which metaphor does Macbeth use to describe the disease of Scotland?
A. He compares it to a broken sword.
B. He asks the Doctor to purge the land back to health.
C. He compares the country to a sinking ship.
D. He says the land is a fruitless crown.
Ans. B. He asks the Doctor to purge the land back to health.
Q10. What is the Doctor’s aside at the very end of the scene?
A. He hopes Macbeth wins the battle.
B. He wishes he were far away from Dunsinane and safe from danger.
C. He is planning to kill Macbeth himself.
D. He believes Lady Macbeth will recover by morning.
Ans. B. He wishes he were far away from Dunsinane and safe from danger.
Fill Up Sentences
Complete the following sentences by providing a reason for each:
1. Macbeth insists that he does not need to fear the approach of the English army because ____________________________.
Ans. Macbeth insists that he does not need to fear the approach of the English army because he believes the witches’ prophecy that no man born of woman can harm him.
2. Macbeth calls the servant a ‘cream-faced loon’ and mocks his pale appearance because ____________________________.
Ans. Macbeth calls the servant a ‘cream-faced loon’ and mocks his pale appearance because the servant’s visible terror reminds Macbeth of the danger he is trying to ignore.
3. Macbeth feels a deep sense of sadness and isolation in his ‘yellow leaf’ speech because ____________________________.
Ans. Macbeth feels a deep sense of sadness and isolation in his ‘yellow leaf’ speech because he realizes he has traded love, honor, and friends for a hollow and hated crown.
4. Macbeth demands that Seyton help him put on his armor long before the battle starts because ____________________________.
Ans. Macbeth demands that Seyton help him put on his armor long before the battle starts because he is in a frantic, unstable state of mind and wants to feel like a powerful warrior again.
5. The Doctor tells Macbeth that he cannot cure Lady Macbeth’s condition because ____________________________.
Ans. The Doctor tells Macbeth that he cannot cure Lady Macbeth’s condition because her illness is mental and spiritual guilt, which medicine cannot heal.
6. Macbeth tells the Doctor to ‘throw physic to the dogs’ because ____________________________.
Ans. Macbeth tells the Doctor to ‘throw physic to the dogs’ because he is frustrated that medical science is useless against the rooted sorrows of the mind.
7. Macbeth asks the Doctor if he can ‘cast the water of my land’ and find its disease because ____________________________.
Ans. Macbeth asks the Doctor if he can ‘cast the water of my land’ and find its disease because he views the invading English army as a sickness that needs to be purged from Scotland.
8. Many of Macbeth’s Thanes and soldiers are fleeing to the English side because ____________________________.
Ans. Many of Macbeth’s Thanes and soldiers are fleeing to the English side because they no longer respect him and view him as a murderous tyrant.
9. Macbeth claims he will not be afraid of death or destruction because ____________________________.
Ans. Macbeth claims he will not be afraid of death or destruction because he is clinging to the belief that Birnam Wood can never move to Dunsinane Hill.
10. At the end of the scene, the Doctor wishes he were far away from Dunsinane because ____________________________.
Ans. At the end of the scene, the Doctor wishes he were far away from Dunsinane because he sees that Macbeth is mentally unraveling and the castle is about to be attacked.
Extra Questions
SHORT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Q1. Why is Macbeth so confident at the start of the scene?
Ans. At the beginning of the scene, Macbeth is relying entirely on the supernatural prophecies given to him by the three witches. He believes he is invincible because the apparitions told him that no man born of a woman could ever harm him. Furthermore, he was told he would remain safe until Birnam Wood physically moved toward his castle at Dunsinane. Because it seems impossible for a forest to get up and walk, and because every man is naturally born, Macbeth feels he has nothing to fear. He uses these truths as a mental shield to block out the terrifying reality that ten thousand English soldiers are marching toward him. This confidence is actually a form of delusion, as he ignores the fact that his own Thanes are abandoning him and his kingdom is falling apart.
Q2. How does Macbeth treat the servant who brings him news?
Ans. When the servant enters to report the size of the English army, Macbeth treats him with extreme cruelty and verbal abuse. He calls the servant a ‘cream-faced loon’ and mocks his pale skin, telling him to ‘over-red’ his fear by pricking his face to draw blood. Macbeth is furious because the servant’s terrified expression reminds him of the danger he is trying to ignore. By insulting the boy’s cowardice and calling him ‘lily-livered’, Macbeth is attempting to project strength and dominance. This interaction shows how much Macbeth has changed; he was once a respected general who inspired his men, but he has become a bitter, lonely tyrant who can only lead through fear and insults. His anger toward the servant reveals his own deep-seated anxiety and his inability to handle the truth.
Q3. What does the yellow leaf monologue reveal about Macbeth’s feelings?
Ans. The yellow leaf speech is a rare moment of honesty where Macbeth admits his life is empty and dying. He compares his life to a withered leaf in autumn, realizing that he has reached old age but lacks the things that usually make it meaningful. He notes that instead of receiving honor, love, obedience, and the company of friends, he is only met with people who honor him only with their mouth. This means people only respect him with their words because they are afraid of him, while in their hearts, they actually curse him. This revelation is powerful because it shows that even though Macbeth achieved his goal of becoming king, he understands that the price was too high. He is profoundly lonely and realizes that his violent path to power has robbed him of a peaceful, happy future.
Q4. What does Macbeth ask the Doctor to do for Lady Macbeth?
Ans. Macbeth asks the Doctor to find a way to cure Lady Macbeth’s diseased mind. He specifically asks if there is a medicine that can wipe away rooted sorrows and erase the troubles of the brain. While he is technically asking about his wife, who is suffering from sleepwalking and hallucinations, his language suggests he is also asking for himself. He wants a way to surgically remove the guilt and the memories of the murders they have committed. He is looking for a physical cure for a spiritual problem. When the Doctor tells him that the patient must ‘minister to himself’, meaning only the patient can heal their own soul to which Macbeth becomes angry and dismissive, realising that no medicine in the world can fix the internal rot caused by his crimes.
Q5. Why does Macbeth insist on putting on his armor so early?
Ans. Even though his officer, Seyton, tells him that his armor is not yet needed, Macbeth insists on putting it on immediately. This action symbolises his desperate need for a sense of control and protection. Physically wearing the armor makes him feel like the warrior he used to be, providing a distraction from the mental and emotional chaos he is experiencing. It also shows his fearful state of mind; he is unable to sit still or wait patiently for the battle to arrive. By arming himself, he is preparing for the only thing he has left: a violent, physical struggle. He knows he cannot win back the hearts of his people or his own peace of mind, so he focuses all his energy on the upcoming fight, choosing to die as a soldier rather than face his guilt.
LONG QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Q1. What does Macbeth mean when he tells the servant to ‘over-red thy fear’?
Ans. When Macbeth tells the servant to over-red his fear, he is using a very vivid and violent metaphor to mock the boy’s cowardice. The servant has entered the room looking extremely pale because he is terrified of the ten thousand English soldiers approaching the castle. Macbeth calls him ‘linen cheeks’ and ‘whey-face’, suggesting that the boy’s face is as white as a sheet or milk. By telling him to ‘over-red’ his fear, Macbeth is suggesting that the boy should prick his own skin so that the red blood will cover up his white, pale complexion. Essentially, Macbeth is saying that if the boy won’t show courage, he should at least hide his fear with blood. This interaction is important because it shows Macbeth’s complete lack of empathy. He no longer acts like a leader who encourages his men; instead, he has become a bully who uses insults and threats to deal with anyone who shows weakness. It also highlights Macbeth’s own internal struggle, as he is desperately trying to convince himself that he is not as afraid as the servant standing before him. He hates seeing fear in others because it reminds him of the fear he is trying to suppress deep within his own heart.
Q2. How does Macbeth’s reaction to the deserting Thanes reflect his state of mind?
Ans. Throughout this scene, Macbeth is constantly being told that his noblemen, the Thanes, are flying or deserting him to join the English army. His reaction to this news is a mixture of extreme anger and forced indifference. He screams at his attendants to bring him no more reports and tells the deserting Thanes to go and mingle with the English army. This reaction shows that Macbeth is feeling deeply betrayed, but he is using the witches’ prophecies as a shield to pretend he doesn’t care. He believes that as long as he is protected by magic, he doesn’t need a loyal army or friends. However, beneath his angry words, we can see that he is actually sick at heart. The desertion of the Thanes proves that he has lost all political and social power. He is now a king without a kingdom and a general without an army. His insistence on fighting alone or with only a few loyal followers like Seyton shows that he has fully embraced his role as a tyrant. He is no longer trying to rule a country; he is simply trying to survive a disaster that he created. This isolation is the ultimate consequence of his ambition, leaving him trapped in his castle while the rest of the world turns against him.
Q3. What is the significance of Macbeth’s conversation with the Doctor about the land’s disease?
Ans. In a very ironic moment, Macbeth asks the Doctor if he can ‘cast the water of my land, find her disease, and purge it to a sound and pristine health’. He is asking the Doctor to diagnose what is wrong with Scotland and fix it, as if the country itself were a sick patient. This is incredibly ironic because Macbeth himself is the disease that is killing Scotland. Since he murdered King Duncan and took the throne, the country has been filled with violence, fear, and misery. Macbeth seems to realize that his country is suffering, but he is completely unable to see that he is the cause of the problem. He suggests using ‘rhubarb, senna, or what purgative drug” to clear the English forces away, viewing the invading army as a foreign infection that needs to be cleaned out. This conversation shows Macbeth’s total lack of self-awareness. He wants the Doctor to perform a miracle to save the kingdom, but he refuses to acknowledge that the only way to heal Scotland is for him to be removed from power. It also shows his desperation for a quick fix; he wants a drug to solve a problem that was caused by his own moral choices. The Doctor’s silence and his desire to escape show that he knows Macbeth is the true sickness.
Q4. How does the character of Seyton add to the dark atmosphere of the scene?
Ans. Seyton is the only officer who remains by Macbeth’s side as the end approaches. While his role is small, his presence is very significant. First, his name is often seen as a pun on Satan, which adds a demonic or doomed feeling to the scene. By having a man named Seyton as his final companion, Shakespeare suggests that Macbeth is now surrounded by darkness and has no holy or good influences left in his life. Seyton’s behavior is calm, cold, and efficient, which contrasts sharply with Macbeth’s frantic and emotional outbursts. When Macbeth calls for his armor, Seyton calmly tells him it is not needed yet, but Macbeth insists anyway. This interaction shows that Macbeth is no longer listening to reason and is spiraling into a state of manic preparation. Seyton represents the stark reality of Macbeth’s situation; he doesn’t offer comfort or hope, he only brings reports that all is confirmed regarding the enemy’s approach. The fact that Macbeth is reduced to relying on one single officer shows how far he has fallen from his days as a beloved war hero. Seyton is like a herald of death, standing by to dress Macbeth for his final, fatal battle, emphasizing that the end is near and there is no turning back.
Q5. Why does Macbeth decide to fight till his bones and flesh are hacked?
Ans. This famous line reveals that Macbeth has moved past the point of hope and into a state of pure, violent defiance. He knows that his life is ‘fall’n into the sere’, and he knows that the English army is overwhelming, yet he refuses to surrender. This decision is based on two things: his remaining belief in the witches’ prophecies and his identity as a warrior. Throughout the play, Macbeth’s most defining trait has been his bravery on the battlefield. Even though he has lost his honor, his wife’s sanity, and his friends, he still knows how to fight. By choosing to stay and have his ‘flesh hacked’ from his bones, he is returning to the only thing he is good at. He would rather die a violent death in battle than be captured and humiliated by Malcolm. This shows a nihilistic worldview, which is the belief that life is meaningless, so one might as well go out with a fight. It is a moment of dark courage; he is a villain, but he is not a coward. He chooses to meet his fate head-on, even though he knows the outcome will likely be his own destruction. This courage and determination are what make Macbeth a tragic figure rather than a simple villain; he remains a fierce fighter even when he has nothing left to fight for.