Macbeth | Act 5, Scene 7 | Summary

Summary

In the midst of battle, Macbeth finds himself cornered, but he continues to fight. He takes some comfort in the prophecy that no person born of woman can do him harm. Siward's son finds Macbeth, and Macbeth kills him, declaring that the young man must have been born of woman. Macbeth flees before Macduff arrives. Macduff pursues Macbeth, while Siward and Malcolm make their way toward the castle.

Analysis

Even though the prophecy about Birnam Wood coming to Dunsinane Hill has not played out as he had thought it would, Macbeth continues to place faith in the second vision's words: none born of woman can harm him. Perhaps, with the battle upon him, he has no time to consider other possible meanings, but his clinging to this vision represents his continued blind allegiance to what he believes is his destiny. He takes his ability to kill Siward's son as proof that the remaining prophecy is true, still driven by arrogance even as the battle rages around him.