Explication of Important Quotes from Act 5 of Shakespeare's Macbeth

Macbeth Quote Explications – Act V (5)

Theme: Light vs. Dark

Quote: “…she has light by her continually; ‘tis her command.” (V, I)

Explication: Lady Macbeth is spotted sleep walking in the Ante-room of the castle by a Doctor and a gentlewoman. She is carrying a candlestick for light, which is ironic because it is useless to her since her “eyes are open…but their sense is shut.” The doctor also notices she is rubbing her hands as if she is trying to cleanse them, perhaps from bloodshed; indicating she is guilty of something. All the while, Lady Macbeth has been suffering of maladies, approaching death, which compounded with guilt, are her motives for having a light by her side at all times. Because light is symbolic of God and good and is antithetical of dark, which constitutes her character, she is experiencing guilt, so carrying a light is her soothing remedy in an attempt to earn forgiveness.

Theme: Clothing

Quote: “…now does he feel his title hang loose about him, like a giant’s robe upon a dwarfish thief.” (V, III)

Explication: Contributing to a heated conversation about Macbeth’s illegitimacy and wrong doings committed during his term as King of Scotland, Angus says this quote about Macbeth. Macbeth’s secrets have become public knowledge; therefore, it has been declared he will be removed from the throne, forcibly. Angus accuses Macbeth of being a dwarfish thief, which is totally appropriate given the circumstances by which he became King. Angus also says Macbeth’s robes fit loosely, which means Macbeth cannot even compare to Duncan’s stature when he was king. Macbeth has not lived up to the standards set by Duncan. The fact that the robes do not fit him means he is illegitimate and undeserving of the Throne.

Theme: Nature as Symbols

Quote: “Or so much as it needs to dew the sovereign flower and drown the weeds.” (V, III)

Explication: In this quote nature is referenced to symbolize a conflict between two parties. Malcolm will soon wage war on Macbeth, in order to rid him of the throne. Two objects are symbolic in this quote: the sovereign flower, which is the rightful holder of the throne, and the weeds, which are Macbeth and his accomplices. Lennox says they need to drown the weeds, or remove Macbeth. By doing so, they can “dew the sovereign flower,” or appoint Malcolm as king since he has proven his loyalty to Duncan the entire time.