What does the sleepwalking scene in The Tragedy of Macbeth, Act V, suggest about customs and practices of the past? Explain why each choice is right or wrong.a. Medical knowledge of mental disorders was far more limited than it is today.b. People in the Middle Ages were more prone to sleepwalking than they are today.c. People in Shakespeare’s time knew nothing of emotional distress.d. In the past, servants often knew more about medicine than doctors did.

Answer:

The best choice is a. The doctor recognizes that Lady Macbeth is deeply troubled, but he cannot provide a medical cure, suggesting that knowledge and treatment of mental disorders were limited compared with today. Choice b is incorrect because the scene gives no evidence that people in the Middle Ages were more prone to sleepwalking. Choice c is incorrect because the characters recognize that Lady Macbeth is suffering emotionally, even if their understanding is limited. Choice d is incorrect because the scene does not show that servants knew more about medicine than doctors; the doctor is consulted, though he cannot cure her.