Medieval warfare during the Middle Ages played an important role in European military history.  Images of knights in heavy armor and melee as well as the clanging of weapons as the knights charged each other, are common perceptions we hold of Medieval battles.  However, these descriptions are not accurate.
         Battles like the one described above were used until the emergence of high quality gunpowder weapons.  No one type of fighting man dominated the battlefields of Europe.  The medieval military is seen  to be dominated by knights and their heavy armor, who are drawn from the upper classes of society.  They fought with supposed purposes of gaining wealth and honor.
         Commanders had organized armies at their disposal just in case an enemy appeared.  The commanders held a firm control of the army which consisted of knights, conroi, and cavalry.  The sound of trumpets directed the troops.  The army was separated into small, separate units.
         A common tactic used by the army on enemies was "with their antelope shields, lances and iron tipped javelins are placed, kneeling in ranks, Lances rest on shoulders, and shaft point directed towards the enemy."  There is a certain order of rank in which the army is positioned to battle.  First come the infantry, the archers behind, and the cavalry last.  When the enemy strikes, the archers point their arrows and shoot.  The infantry throw their javelins.  The two troops disperse, allowing space for the cavalry who rushes upon the enemy.

         Sleepwalking is defined as a sleep disorder characterized by the patient sitting up in bed and making repetitive and purposeless movements.  Created by previous sleep loss, anxiety, and fever.  In Act V, scene 1 Lady Macbeth sleepwalks and reveals her feelings of guilt.
         Sleepwalking occurs in the first 1-2 hours of the night.  If awakened, the human is mildly in shock for a few minutes and has no recall of the episode.  While sleepwalking, the person may injure themselves or others.
Sleepwalking is a series of behaviors which begin during sleep and result in walking during sleep.  Amnesia may follow an episode as other medical and psychiatric disorders can be present.
         Medical reports show that 18% of the population sleepwalks.  It is a more common in children than adults, as well as in boys than girls.  Causes of sleepwalking include the following; lack of rest, stress, hazardous objects in bedroom, and not developing a calming bedtime ritual.  Sleepwalkers should close all windows and doors.  Hypnosis is a common treatment for both children and adults, even though it may not be too effective.
         In Lady Macbeth's case, her feelings of guilt and anxiety could have caused the sleepwalking syndrome.  She constantly rubs her hands together as if washing them.  She refers to the three murders during this state of confusion.  All of the trauma that Lady Macbeth had experienced created this sleepwalking scene.

         Now five acts later, "Macbeth" has come to a conclusion.  The last act manly portrayed the plans of battle by the Scottish and English forces as well as the downfall of the two main characters - Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.
         I was satisfied by the way the play ended for many reasons.  Lady Macbeth finally showed her true feelings, even if they occurred during her sleepwalking.  Ironically after all of the mature that Lady Macbeth has done, I pity her.  She falls into madness, guilt, and hysteria as she has deadly memories.  It is also interesting to see how Macbeth had no loyal supporters.  All of Dunsinane had surrendered in hope for savior and relief.
         Macbeth came to realization after his obsessive thoughts with the witches' prophecies.  Also, the "battle" was very different than any other.  Usually they exist between two opposing armies.  In the play, Scottish and English forces joined together against one man.  I just wish that Macbeth had suffered more before dyeing because he had caused despair for an entire country as well as the deaths of three friends.
         Macbeth's downfall is definitely a result of his own actions.  He had become obsessed with the witches' prophecies and the apparitions and their promises.  He used their words constantly to comfort his fears as well as provide bravery when presented to fight.  Had he not payed attention to the witches in the beginning of the play when they said his three royal titles, Macbeth would not have had to live through this misery.
         Macbeth at the end of the play was pitiful.  His status in the eyes of his people had lowered drastically.  He had gone from their hero to the man they feared and wanted to overthrow.  He never actually felt the guilt.  If he did, it was either during his sleep or insane state of mind.
         Scotland's leaders consisted of Duncan, Banquo, Macduff, Malcolm, and Macbeth.  Their leadership abilities, individually, presented a positive asset to being king.  They were all looked up to by the people, including Macbeth in the beginning of the play.  Duncan was a very good man who treated others fairly.  He praised his people as well as provided a safe place  to live in.  Banquo was courageous, honest, and extremely loyal.  He had a very leveled head which always directed him towards positive goals.  Macduff was a very persistent and loyal.  He met his goals and cared for the well being of all, not just himself.  Macduff took the liberty of saving Scotland and killing Macbeth.  Malcolm was an interesting character.  We were introduced to him at the beginning of the play and not again until the end.  Malcolm was a strong leader as he fled to England in preparation of Macbeth's overthrow.  Macbeth was an exception from all of the other leaders. He could not handle royalty and the powers that came along with it.  He lacked many qualities of a good leader, especially since he was involved mainly on his own personal interests.
         The play illustrates both positive and negative effects of ambition.  In Macbeth's case it was negative.  He and Lady Macbeth went to the extremes to get what they wanted.  They did not care of who they harmed or the consequences as long as their ambitions were met.  On the other hand, Macduff and Malcolm were determined to overthrow Macbeth for the savior and safety of Scotland.  They had positive ambitions for the welfare of others.
         The play offers many lessons to today's leaders.  A leader holds the responsibility of an entire country.  He must respond to their needs and provide a just, safe environment in which to live.  Once a leader becomes overly involved in his own personal ambitions, chaos occurs.  He must not let his personal goals interfere with those of his position and authority.

            Many subjects are touched upon by Shakespeare in the play.  "Macbeth" is the story of a courageous man on the battlefield whose ambitions and persistency to become king led to disaster.  He committed murder only to hide from the spirits of his dead friends as well as his own conscience.  Throughout the play, Macbeth's character deteriorated with one bad action after another.  Such subjects like fate, ambition, tragic hero, witches, prophecies, medical treatment (insanity, sleepwalking), and leadership were all discussed in "Macbeth".
             The play opens with three witches casting a spell.  Macbeth enters as the war hero receiving honors from Duncan.  But the one day when Macbeth heard the prophecies of his three royal title, changed his life forever.  Macbeth led his life based on the prophecies until the point that they became obsessions.  He overcame all obstacles, harming the ones he loved along the way.  Many would debate that one's fate is predestined and unavoidable.  However,  one can try to overcome fate by carrying positive goals.
             Tragic hero is that who's life actions affect the surrounding people.  He is of noble status and usually suffers because of a fatal flaw which intervenes with his power to rule.  Macbeth is such a character as he let his wife's persistency combine with his impatience to become king, rather than wait for chance to crown him to the throne.
             The witches present an interesting part of the play.  Based on superstitions, they created a mysterious mood for the play.  In a way, the play revolved around the witches and their prophecies.  They provided the "fuel" for Macbeth's bravery and ambition fulfillment.
             Medical treatment during Shakespeare's time was also very different as the remedies and beliefs were very different from the one's we use today.  Macbeth's sanity deteriorated from the guilt and obsessions he possessed.  Ghosts of those he murdered haunted him during the day and night.  Towards the end of the play, Lady Macbeth suffered  from madness as well.  All of the events of despair, guilt, chaos, and fear led to her sleepwalking where she revealed her true feelings.  The facade of being strong and evil tumbled, revealing a woman unable to cope with the consequences of her own actions.
             "Macbeth" is an excellent work of literature which portrays very important morals.  One can look  at Macbeth and see the resulting product of overambition and self-conceit.  He provides a symbol of how today's leaders should not be.