A few quick things go down on the battlefield. Macbeth kills Young Siward, the son of one of the English commanders. Macduff searches frantically for Macbeth, vowing that he and he alone should kill the king. Finally, Siward tells Malcolm that they’ve overtaken Dunsinane castle, and victory is near. It’s time for the big face off. Macduff tracks down Macbeth, and the two immediately begin to fight—both physically and verbally. At first, Macbeth isn’t too keen on the idea of killing Macduff. After all, he did just have his family murdered. But Macduff won’t let him get off that easily. Still, Macbeth tells him that there’s no point in Macduff trying to kill him, because Macbeth can’t be harmed by anyone born of a woman. Not so fast, says Macduff. It turns out he was taken from his mother’s womb prematurely, and so he technically isn’t of woman born. Macduff demands surrender, and Macbeth refuses. The two fight until Macduff kills Macbeth, chops off his head, and presents it to a triumphant Malcolm. Everyone hails Malcolm, the new king of Scotland, who vows to restore justice to the kingdom.
Macbeth
They’ve tied me to a stake. I can’t run away, I have to stand and fight it out like a bear tied up to fight with dogs. Where’s this person who wasn’t born from a woman? He’s the only one I need to be afraid of.
Young Siward
What’s your name?
Macbeth
You’d be afraid to hear it.
Young Siward
No I wouldn’t. Even if you were the most terrifying thing in hell.
Macbeth
My name's Macbeth.
Young Siward
The devil himself couldn’t say a name I hate more than yours.
Macbeth
No, nor a name that you’re more afraid of.
Young Siward
That’s a lie, you hated tyrant. My sword will prove you a liar.
Macbeth
You were born from a woman. I smile at swords and laugh at weapons carried by men who were born from women.
Macduff
The noise is coming from that way. Tyrant, show your face! If you’ve been killed by someone else, the ghosts of my wife and children will haunt me forever. I will not fight these wretched peasants you’ve hired to take up arms for you. I will either kill you, Macbeth, or put my sword back in its sheath unused. You’re probably over there, judging by the clatter of battle which announces the presence of someone important. Luck, all I ask is to find him!
Siward
This way, my lord. The castle has surrendered without much of a fight. Some of Macbeth’s soldiers have come over to our side, and our noblemen are fighting bravely. The day is almost yours, and there’s little left to do.
Malcolm
Some of those we faced were not really trying to oppose us.
Siward
Sir, let’s go into the castle.
Macbeth
Why should I act like a Roman fool and kill myself to save my honor? As long as I see my enemy alive before me, I’d rather use my sword on them.
Macduff
Turn around, devilish hound, turn around!
Macbeth
You’re the one I’ve been trying to avoid most of all. Go away, I already have too much of your family’s blood on my hands.
Macduff
I have nothing to say. My sword will do the talking, you villain, bloodier than words can possibly describe!
Macbeth
You’re wasting your energy. You’d have an easier time making the air bleed than me. Use your sword against vulnerable heads. I have a charmed life, which can’t be defeated by anyone born from a woman.
Macduff
Don’t trust that magic! Let the fallen angel you have always served tell you that I, Macduff, was not of woman born – I was prematurely ripped from my mother’s womb.
Macbeth
Curse you for saying so, for now my confidence is shaken. I no longer believe those deceiving witches who speak in a double sense. They spoke promises in my ear and then broke them and ruined my hopes. I won’t fight with you.
Macduff
Then surrender, you coward, and live to be the laughingstock of our age. We’ll treat you like other freaks, painting your picture on a poster with a caption that says, “Here you may see the tyrant.”
Macbeth
I will not surrender and kneel before Malcolm, to be tormented by the crowd's curses. Even though Birnam forest came to Dunsinane, and you weren’t born from a woman, I’ll fight to the end anyway. I put up my shield. Come on, Macduff. May God damn whoever cries, “Stop, enough!”
Malcolm
I hope our missing friends are safe.
Siward
Some are bound to die in a fight. But if you look around, we really didn’t lose that many for this great victory.
Malcolm
Macduff is missing. So is your noble son.
Ross
Your son, my lord, paid a soldier’s debt. He lived just long enough to become a man. At just the moment he gained honor by fighting bravely, he died like a man.
Siward
Then he’s dead?
Ross
Yes, and he’s been carried off the field. Don’t be as sad as he was worthy, or you’ll be sad forever.
Siward
Were his wounds on the front of his body?
Ross
Yes, on the front.
Siward
Well then, he’s God’s soldier now! If I had as many sons as I have hairs on my head, I couldn’t wish a better death for them. And so, his death bell is rung.
Malcolm
He deserves more sorrow than that, and I will grieve for him.
Siward
He's worth no more sorrow. They say he was prepared for death. May God be with him. Here comes better news.
Macduff
Greetings, king! For you are now the king. Here’s Macbeth’s cursed head; we are free. I see you surrounded by nobles who share my thankful thoughts, and I ask them to join their voices to mine – Hail, King of Scotland!
All
Hail, King of Scotland!
Malcolm
I won’t wait long before I pay you back for the devoted services you have rendered me. My nobles and kin, from now on you shall be earls, the first ever to be named to this high title in Scotland. Everything else which needs to be done to establish my government we will, with the grace of God, perform in the correct manner, time, and place. We will invite back our exiled friends who fled from intrusive tyranny abroad, and we’ll arrest the cruel collaborators of this dead butcher and his devilish queen (who I heard killed herself). So thanks to each and every one of you, whom I invite to see me crowned at Scone.
