2.In Act V of The Tragedy of Macbeth by William Shakespeare, why does Macbeth believe that Malcolm cannot harm him? He believes the witches’ prophecy that no man born of a woman can harm him. He is overconfident in his ability to fight against Malcolm and his army. He knows that he is a much better swordsman than Malcolm. He knows that Malcolm would not be able to approach the castle from Birnam Wood.

"Macbeth" is a tragedy, in form of play, that was written by William Shakespeare and which it is believed was first performed in 1606 and published into written form around 1623. This tragic play is also known as "The Tragedy of Macbeth". In essence, "Macbeth" is the story of Macbeth and his wife, who, overcome by greed and ambition, and led by a prophecy made by three witches on Macbeth never being killed by the hand of a man born of a woman, usurp the throne of Scotland from Duncan, the true king and they kill the king, his wife, and Banquo. Because of the ramifications of their actions, both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth end up entangled in a trail of murders they commit and Macbeth becomes a tyrannical ruler which his people want to get rid of. In the meantime, Prince Malcolm, son of King Duncan, has raised an English army and is now marching towards Scotland to kill Macbeth. In scene V, we see first, as certain characters become aware of the guilt that riddles Lady Macbeth for the murders, and believe she has become ill because she sleepwalks and tells of what they have done. And in battle, when Macbeth is about to confront Malcolm, although he has just learned of the death of his wife, by her own hand, Macbeth still confronts the Prince because he A: believes the witche´s prophecy that no man born of a woman can harm him. In the end, when Malcolm defeats him, Macbeth realizes that he misunderstood the prophecy given to him by the witches and he dies decapitated.