Macbeth Act V Scene 2 Summary
Plot Summary / Story-line
In the Scottish countryside near Birnam Wood, four Scottish lords—Menteith, Caithness, Angus, and Lennox—lead a Scottish army toward their rendezvous point. They discuss the approaching English forces led by Malcolm, his uncle Siward (the English general), and Macduff. The lords express that the English forces "burn in them" with righteous desire for revenge.
They note that Macbeth is fortifying Dunsinane Castle but that his position remains precarious. Most significantly, they observe that Macbeth's followers remain loyal only through fear and compulsion rather than through genuine love or respect. Menteith reports that the English army is nearby and being led by the aforementioned commanders. Caithness confirms they will meet near Birnam Wood. The lords voice confidence that their combined forces will sweep Macbeth from power, and they march toward Birnam Wood to unite with Malcolm's English army.
Commentary on Act V, Scene ii
This brief scene serves crucial dramatic functions. First, it shifts perspective from Macbeth's castle to the gathering forces of opposition, emphasizing that his rule has become untenable and that his enemies are united and approaching. Second, the lords' observation that Macbeth's followers remain loyal only through fear rather than love reveals a fundamental weakness in his rule. Macbeth has achieved power through violence but cannot maintain it through legitimate authority or loyalty. This observation echoes the play's recurring theme distinguishing true kingship (based on love, loyalty, and virtue) from tyranny (based on fear and violence).
The reference to Birnam Wood is particularly significant, as this location will prove central to the fulfillment of the witches' prophecy. The lords' confidence and determination suggest moral legitimacy on their side—they fight to restore rightful order, not to seize power for personal gain. The unification of Scottish and English forces under Malcolm demonstrates that Macbeth has become such a threat to order that natural political boundaries dissolve in the face of his tyranny.