Macbeth - Act 5 Scene 2
The country near Dunsinane.
Menteith and Caithness are entirely new characters, introduced quite late in the play. Their presence may suggest that the rebellion against Macbeth is widespread, bringing together established thanes like Lennox and Angus, as well as more minor (or younger) lords.
Drum and colours. Enter MENTEITH, CAITHNESS, ANGUS,
LENNOX, and Soldiers
MENTEITH
The English power is near, led on by Malcolm,
His uncle Siward and the good Macduff.
Revenges burn in them; for their dear causes
Would to the bleeding and the grim alarm
Excite the mortified man.
The mention of Birnam Wood reminds the audience of the apparitions' prophecies from 4.1.
ANGUS
Near Birnam wood
Shall we well meet them; that way are they coming.
CAITHNESS
Who knows if Donalbain be with his brother?
LENNOX
For certain, sir, he is not: I have a file
Of all the gentry: there is Siward's son,
And many unrough youths that even now
Protest their first of manhood.
MENTEITH
What does the tyrant?
CAITHNESS
Great Dunsinane he strongly fortifies.
Some say he's mad; others that lesser hate him
Do call it valiant fury: but, for certain,
He cannot buckle his distempered cause
Within the belt of rule.
Macbeth's role as king is once again described in terms of clothing, though now the image is mocking.
ANGUS
Now does he feel
His secret murders sticking on his hands;
Now minutely revolts upbraid his faith-breach;
Those he commands move only in command,
Nothing in love: now does he feel his title
Hang loose about him, like a giant's robe
Upon a dwarfish thief.
MENTEITH
Who then shall blame
His pestered senses to recoil and start,
When all that is within him does condemn
Itself for being there?
The image of Scotland as a diseased body in need of medicine carries over from the previous scene, and will carry over into the next.
CAITHNESS
Well, march we on,
To give obedience where 'tis truly owed.
Meet we the medicine of the sickly weal,
And with him pour we in our country's purge
Each drop of us.
LENNOX
Or so much as it needs,
To dew the sovereign flower and drown the weeds.
Make we our march towards Birnam.
Exeunt, marching