The Duel, Macbeth's Fall, and the New King

Scene summary

On the plain, Macbeth, who feels trapped at a stake like a bear surrounded by dogs, says that he should fear only someone who was not born of woman. He meets young Siward, who challenges him, and kills him, certain that a man born of woman could not wound him. Macduff arrives, looking for Macbeth to avenge his wife and children. Meanwhile, Malcolm and Siward enter the castle, which has surrendered, and see that the tyrant's partisans are already fighting on their side as well. Macbeth, who does not want to die by his own sword, meets Macduff again and says he avoided facing him because his soul is heavy with the blood of Macduff's family. When Macduff answers that only swords will speak, Macbeth says he leads an enchanted life that no man born of woman can end. Macduff replies that he was torn from his mother's womb before his time. Macbeth curses the tongue that tells him this, accuses the demons of playing with ambiguous words, and refuses to fight. Macduff proposes that he surrender and live on display, like a rare monster, with his portrait painted on a mast. Macbeth prefers to fight to the end, and the two leave, fighting. Malcolm and Siward return, and Ross tells Siward that his son died like a soldier, with his wounds in front, and Siward says he would not wish him a more beautiful death. Macduff enters with Macbeth's head and greets Malcolm as King of Scotland. Malcolm makes the barons and kinsmen Earls, the first in Scotland, promises to recall the exiles, to bring before justice the ministers of the tyrant and of his Queen, who is believed to have killed herself, and invites everyone to the coronation at Scone.