Act III: Scene 6
Summary
Meeting with
a rebel lord, Lennox reveals his doubts concerning Macbeth. His argument is
that those who might be immediately suspected of murdering their kinsmen are
less likely to have done so than Macbeth, who had killed the guards of Duncan's
chamber so hastily. Although Lennox is prepared to accept Macbeth's actions, he
cannot help feeling deeply suspicious of him. The other lord reveals to Lennox
that Macduff has fled from Scotland to join forces with Malcolm in England.
Moreover, they have requested help from England's King Edward the Confessor.
Both Lennox and the other lord pray that God's vengeance may swiftly fall on
the tyrannical Macbeth and that Scotland may return to peace once more.
Analysis
Some of the
language of this scene is difficult. Its lines are full of pauses, half-spoken
thoughts, and fragments of reported speech. Its function is twofold: first to
convince the audience of Lennox's real thoughts about Macbeth. Even though
Lennox appears loyal to Macbeth at the end of Act IV, Scene 1, here he divulges
his concerns in lines such as "Men must not walk too late" and, more
directly, the phrase "the tyrant's feast."
The primary
function of the other lord is to confirm the news of Macduff's flight to
England and to introduce the names of other rebel leaders, Northumberland and
Siward, who will combine against Macbeth in the final act. But his words
"That . . . we may again / Give to our tables meat, sleep to our
nights" (32-34) also recall, ironically, the words of Macbeth to his wife
in Act III, Scene 2: "But let the frame of things disjoint . . . / Ere we
will eat our meal in fear, and sleep / In the affliction of these terrible
dreams."
Glossary
marry (4)
indeed
want the
thought (8) help thinking
straight (11)
straightaway
the two
delinquents (12) that is, the guards of Duncan's chamber
an't (19) If
with Him
above . . . work (33) with God's help
The cloudy
messenger . . . clogs me with this answer The surly messenger refuses to report
to Macbeth the news of Macduff's desertion for fear of punishment.
