Act 5, Scene 7 (2024)

The battle escalates, and Macduff finally puts an end to Macbeth’s life.

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.