ISC Class 12 English Drama Macbeth Act 5 Scene 6 Important Question Answers
Macbeth Act 5 Scene 6 Question Answers: Looking for ISC Class 12 English Drama Macbeth Act 5 Scene 6 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 6 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 6 Textbook Questions
ASSIGNMENT
Choose the correct options for the following questions:
1. What are ‘leavy screens’ referred to by Malcolm?
(a) The leaves worn by soldiers on their dress
(b) The Birnam woods
(c) The fears in their minds
(d) None of the above.
Ans. (b) The Birnam woods
2. What does Malcolm tell his soldiers when they near the enemy camp?
(a) To discard their camouflage
(b) To immediately attack the enemy
(c) To keep the Birnam woods in their hands
(d) None of the above.
Ans. (a) To discard their camouflage
3. Why does Malcolm ask his men to throw down the ‘leavy screens’?
(a) They are of no use
(b) They are worn out and need to be replaced
(c) To show their identity and numbers to the enemy
(d) None of the above.
Ans. (c) To show their identity and numbers to the enemy
4. According to Malcolm, who would lead the first attack on the enemy?
(a) Siward and his son
(b) Macduff and his son
(c) Lennox and Ross
(d) None of the above.
Ans. (a) Siward and his son
Question 2
Complete the following sentences by providing a reason for each:
1. Malcolm’s army throws away the boughs because
Ans. Malcolm’s army throws away the boughs because they have reached the castle walls and no longer need to hide their numbers. By discarding the camouflage, they transition from a hidden ‘moving forest’ into a visible, terrifying force of soldiers ready to confront Macbeth directly and prove that the prophecy of Birnam Wood has come true.
2. Malcolm assumes the royal we for the first time in the play because
Ans. Malcolm assumes the ‘royal we’ for the first time in the play because he is finally embracing his identity as the rightful King of Scotland. By saying ‘we / Shall take upon ’s’, he is using the formal language of a monarch to show that he has moved from being a prince in exile to a commander who is ready to reclaim his father’s throne and restore order to the kingdom.
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ISC Class 11 English Drama Macbeth Act 5 Scene 6 Extra Question and Answers
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Q1. Where does this scene take place?
A. Inside Macbeth’s castle
B. In a dark cave
C. On a plain before Dunsinane Castle
D. In the middle of Birnam Wood
Ans. C. On a plain before Dunsinane Castle
Q2. What does Malcolm tell the soldiers to do with their leafy branches?
A. Set them on fire
B. Throw them down
C. Hide behind them
D. Give them to Macbeth
Ans. B. Throw them down
Q3. Why were the soldiers carrying leafy screens in the first place?
A. To keep themselves cool
B. To feed their horses
C. To use as bedding for the night
D. To hide how many soldiers there were
Ans. D. To hide how many soldiers there were
Q4. Who is the worthy uncle Malcolm speaks to?
A. Macduff
B. Duncan
C. Siward
D. Banquo
Ans. C. Siward
Q5. According to Malcolm’s plan, who will lead the first battle?
A. Malcolm and Macduff
B. Siward and his son
C. Macbeth and his guards
D. The witches
Ans. B. Siward and his son
Q6. What does Siward say should happen if they cannot fight well tonight?
A. They should be beaten
B. They should go back to England
C. They should ask for a truce
D. They should try again tomorrow
Ans. A. They should be beaten
Q7. What instrument does Macduff order to be played?
A. Drums
B. Flutes
C. Harps
D. Trumpets
Ans. D. Trumpets
Q8. What does Macduff call the trumpets?
A. Harbinger of Peace and quiet
B. Harbinger of Blood and death
C. Harbinger of Music and dancing
D. Harbinger of Food and drink
Ans. B. Harbinger of Blood and death
Q9. Which word best describes the mood of the soldiers in this scene?
A. Scared and retreating
B. Bored and tired
C. Determined and ready
D. Confused and lost
Ans. C. Determined and ready
Q10. Which prophecy is fulfilled in this scene?
A. No man born of woman shall harm Macbeth
B. Macbeth shall be King of Scotland
C. Banquo’s sons shall be kings
D. Birnam Wood coming to Dunsinane
Ans. D. Birnam Wood coming to Dunsinane
Fill Up Sentences
Complete the following sentences by providing a reason for each:
1. Malcolm orders the soldiers to drop the boughs because __________.
Ans. Malcolm orders the soldiers to drop the boughs because they have arrived at Dunsinane and need to be unencumbered and visible as a striking force.
2. The soldiers used branches from Birnam Wood because __________.
Ans. The soldiers used branches from Birnam Wood because it allowed them to conceal their true numbers and trick Macbeth’s scouts into thinking the forest was moving.
3. Siward and his son are chosen to lead the first battle because __________.
Ans. Siward and his son are chosen to lead the first battle because as experienced and noble soldiers, they represent the honour and bravery of the English forces supporting Malcolm.
4. Macduff wants the trumpets to blow loudly because __________.
Ans. Macduff wants the trumpets to blow loudly because he views them as messengers of death that signal the final reckoning for Macbeth’s crimes.
5. This scene is very short because __________.
Ans. This scene is very short because Shakespeare wanted to create a sense of fast-paced momentum and urgency as the play moves toward the final fight.
6. Macbeth’s scouts were likely confused because __________.
Ans. Macbeth’s scouts were likely confused because the clever use of camouflage made a massive army look like a natural part of the landscape.
7. Malcolm uses the phrase ‘worthy uncle’ because __________.
Ans. Malcolm uses the phrase ‘worthy uncle’because he wants to show respect and strengthen the bond between the Scottish royalty and the English military.
8. The ‘leavy screens’ are no longer needed because __________.
Ans. The ‘leavy screens’ are no longer needed because the time for stealth and deception has ended, and the time for direct, open combat has begun.
9. Siward mentions the tyrant’s power because __________.
Ans. Siward mentions the tyrant’s power because he wants to emphasise that they are fighting to remove an illegal, cruel ruler and restore a rightful one.
10. The stage directions include alarums because __________.
Ans. The stage directions include alarums because the sound of drums and trumpets helps the audience feel the chaotic and violent atmosphere of a castle under siege.
Extra Questions
SHORT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Q1. How does the moving forest prophecy finally come true in this scene?
Ans. In this scene, the prophecy given by the witches that Macbeth would be safe until Birnam Wood moves to Dunsinane is finally fulfilled in a practical way. Earlier, Malcolm had ordered every soldier to cut down a tree branch and carry it in front of them. This was a clever military tactic used to hide the size of his massive army from Macbeth’s scouts. As the soldiers march toward the castle, it looks to anyone watching from the battlements like the forest itself is creeping up the hill. In Scene 6, the army arrives at the foot of the castle and Malcolm orders them to throw down their leafy branches. This moment reveals the true army underneath the wood, proving that the witches’ supernatural warning was actually a physical reality that Macbeth failed to understand until it was too late.
Q2. What does Malcolm’s leadership style reveal about his character in this scene?
Ans. Malcolm shows that he has grown into a confident and organized leader, which is a big change from the start of the play when he fled Scotland in fear. In this scene, he takes full control of the situation by giving clear and direct orders to his commanders. He assigns the experienced English general, Siward, and his son to lead the first wave of the attack, while he and Macduff manage the rest of the plan. This shows that he is a strategic thinker who knows how to use the strengths of his team. His calm and determined attitude suggests that he is ready to be the rightful King of Scotland. Unlike Macbeth, who rules through fear and madness, Malcolm rules through cooperation, order, and a clear sense of duty to his country and his soldiers.
Q3. Why is the sound of the trumpets so significant at the end of the scene?
Ans. At the end of the scene, Macduff orders the trumpeters to blow their horns as loudly as possible. He calls these trumpets the ‘clamorous harbingers of blood and death’. This is significant because it marks the official end of the waiting and the beginning of the final battle. For the entire play, there has been a lot of whispering, plotting, and secret murders in the dark. The loud, bold sound of the trumpets represents the truth coming out into the light. It is a ‘clamorous’ or noisy signal that justice has arrived. The trumpets also serve to strike fear into Macbeth inside the castle, letting him know that his enemies are no longer hiding behind trees but are standing at his front door, ready to fight until the tyrant is finally defeated.
Q4. How does the relationship between Siward and Malcolm represent a holy war?
Ans. The partnership between Siward and Malcolm is important because it shows that the fight against Macbeth is a righteous and holy cause supported by others. Siward is a noble English general sent by the King of England to help Malcolm. His presence shows that Macbeth’s evil has become so great that even neighbouring countries feel the need to step in and stop him. By having Siward lead the first battle or wave of the attack, the play suggests that the rebellion is an organised, honourable effort to restore the natural order. It isn’t just a personal grudge; it is a formal military operation meant to heal a broken nation. This contrasts with Macbeth’s lonely position, as he has no true allies or foreign friends left to help him defend his stolen crown.
Q5. What is the symbolic importance of the soldiers dropping their branches?
Ans. The act of the soldiers throwing down their leafy screens is deeply symbolic of the theme of appearance versus reality. For several scenes, the army has been disguised as a forest, creating a false appearance to trick Macbeth. When they drop the branches, the mask is removed, and the reality of the situation is revealed. This symbolises that the time for tricks and deception is over. Macbeth has lived a life of lies and masks since he killed King Duncan, but in this scene, he is forced to face the naked truth. The dropping of the boughs also represents nature itself stepping aside to let the human soldiers finish the job of removing the tyrant. It shows that the supernatural elements of the play are fading away, leaving only the physical struggle between good and evil.
LONG QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Q1. Why is the mention of Siward’s son important in this specific scene?
Ans. The introduction of Siward’s son, often called Young Siward, is strategically important because it sets up a powerful contrast between the different types of masculinity and courage shown in the play. Malcolm specifically tasks the ‘right noble son’ with leading the very first wave of the attack alongside his father. This shows that the rebellion is built on a foundation of family loyalty and a legacy of honour, which is the exact opposite of Macbeth’s situation. Macbeth has no children to carry on his name and has murdered the families of others, like Macduff’s wife and children. By placing Young Siward at the front of the battle, Shakespeare highlights a sense of hope and the new blood of Scotland and England working together to fix the broken country. It also prepares the audience for the upcoming scene where Young Siward will face Macbeth in person. His presence reminds us that the war against the tyrant requires the bravery of the youth as well as the wisdom of the older generation. While Macbeth is fighting purely for his own survival, these young men are fighting for a future they believe in. This creates a feeling of a war of justice where fathers and sons are proud to stand side-by-side to restore the rightful King to the throne.
Q2. How does the order of battle described by Malcolm reflect the restoration of harmony?
Ans. In this scene, Malcolm discusses the order of their plan, assigning specific roles to Siward, his son, and Macduff. This focus on order is a major theme because, ever since Macbeth murdered King Duncan, Scotland has been in a state of total chaos and disorder. Nature has been out of balance, with strange storms and animals behaving oddly. By showing the rebel leaders calmly and professionally organising their military ranks, Shakespeare is signaling that the natural order is finally returning to the land. Malcolm is acting like a true King by delegating tasks and trusting his commanders, which is a massive contrast to Macbeth, who has become increasingly paranoid, untrusting, and isolated in his castle. Macbeth’s power is crumbling because it was built on fear and lies, whereas Malcolm’s power is growing because it is built on structure, hierarchy, and mutual respect. The order of battle isn’t just a military list; it is a symbol of a healthy society where everyone knows their place and works together for the common good. When the soldiers drop their branches and stand in their proper formations, it visually represents the mess of the moving forest being replaced by the clean, sharp lines of a disciplined and righteous army ready to bring peace back to Scotland.
Q3. What is the significance of the Alarums mentioned in the stage directions at the end?
Ans. The Alarums mentioned at the very end of the scene are stage directions for loud, clashing battle sounds, usually involving drums and trumpets. These sounds are incredibly significant because they act as a bridge between the planning phase of the rebellion and the actual physical violence of the climax. Up until this point in the final Act, there has been a lot of talking, preparing, and marching, but the Alarums tell the audience that the time for talking is over and the killing has begun. These noises create a sense of frantic energy and sensory overload for the audience, mirroring the internal panic Macbeth must be feeling inside the castle walls. The continuous nature of the alarums suggests that the battle is happening everywhere at once, making the stage feel much larger than it actually is. It also serves to build immense tension. This scene is so short, the sudden burst of loud battle noise at the end pushes the story forward at a high speed. It forces the audience to feel the urgency of the moment. These sounds are the voice of the war itself, drowning out the prophecies and the hesitation of the earlier acts and replacing them with the harsh, unavoidable reality of a kingdom being reclaimed by force.
Q4. How does the brevity of this scene contribute to the play’s ending?
Ans. Act 5, Scene 6 is one of the shortest scenes in the entire play, and its brevity is a deliberate choice by Shakespeare to speed up the tempo of the story. As the play nears its end, the scenes become shorter and faster, jumping between the inside of the castle and the outside battlefield. This creates a cinematic feeling of excitement and mounting pressure. If this scene were long and filled with slow speeches, the energy of the approaching army would be lost. Instead, by keeping the dialogue brief and focused only on the immediate plan to show who they are, the play creates a sense of an unstoppable momentum. It feels like a heartbeat that is racing faster and faster as the final confrontation approaches. This shortness also reflects the fact that the rebel army is now focused and efficient. They don’t need to debate or argue anymore because their goal is clear: kill the tyrant and take the castle. The quick transition from Malcolm’s orders to Macduff’s call for trumpets and then straight into the alarums of war keeps the audience on the edge of their seats. It ensures that the focus remains on the action and the inevitable collision between Macbeth’s dwindling power and Malcolm’s rising authority.
Q5. Why does Macduff refer to the trumpets as ‘harbingers of blood and death’?
Ans. When Macduff calls the trumpets ‘clamorous harbingers of blood and death’, he is using very specific and dark imagery to set the tone for the final fight. A harbinger is someone or something that arrives first to announce that something else is coming. By using this word, Macduff is saying that the noise of the trumpets is the official warning that a massive amount of blood and death is about to follow. This reflects Macduff’s personal state of mind; he is no longer looking for peace or negotiation. He is looking for a violent end to the man who slaughtered his family. The word clamorous suggests a loud, chaotic, and demanding noise that cannot be ignored. It shows that the time for secrets is over. For most of the play, death has happened in the shadows, Duncan was killed in his sleep, and Banquo was killed in the dark. Now, the death is going to be loud, public, and proud. Macduff is essentially waking up the castle and Macbeth himself, letting them know that the day of reckoning has arrived. This phrase reinforces the idea that the upcoming battle is a necessary sacrifice to cleanse Scotland of Macbeth’s influence, even if it means a great deal of blood must be spilled to achieve it.
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