# Scene III explained — Macbeth

> Chapter companion for Macbeth by William Shakespeare.

## What happens

In England, Malcolm tests Macduff's loyalty by falsely claiming to be more vicious than Macbeth. After Macduff despairs for Scotland, Malcolm reveals his true virtuous nature and they ally with Siward's army. Ross arrives with news of Macbeth's slaughter of Macduff's family, and Macduff vows revenge.

## Themes in this chapter

### Kingship and Tyranny

Malcolm's false confession of vices contrasts with Macbeth's tyranny, exploring what makes a good king.

### Appearance vs. Reality

Malcolm pretends to be evil to test Macduff's honesty, while Macduff's grief reveals his true loyalty.

### Violence and Masculinity

Macduff's grief is challenged by Malcolm to 'dispute it like a man', linking emotion to masculine honor.

## Character check-ins

### Malcolm

Tests Macduff's loyalty by feigning vices, then reveals his true character and allies with Macduff.

### Macduff

Passes Malcolm's test, learns of his family's murder, and vows revenge against Macbeth.

### Ross

Brings news of Macbeth's attack on Macduff's castle and the slaughter of his family.

### Doctor

Briefly appears to inform Malcolm that the English king is curing the 'king's evil'.

### Siward

Mentioned as leading ten thousand English soldiers to aid Malcolm.

## Key lines

> Let us rather Hold fast the mortal sword, and like good men Bestride our down-fall’n birthdom

Let us instead take up arms and defend our fallen homeland like brave men.

_Macduff urges action over lamentation._

> This tyrant, whose sole name blisters our tongues, Was once thought honest

This tyrant, whose very name makes us wince, was once considered honorable.

_Malcolm reflects on Macbeth's former reputation._

> Angels are bright still, though the brightest fell

Angels remain radiant even after the brightest one fell from heaven.

_Malcolm implies that goodness persists despite betrayal._

> Bleed, bleed, poor country! Great tyranny! lay thou thy basis sure

Let Scotland bleed under tyranny, which now seems firmly established.

_Macduff despairs at the state of Scotland._

> When I shall tread upon the tyrant’s head, Or wear it on my sword, yet my poor country Shall have more vices than it had before

Even if I defeat Macbeth, my country might suffer worse under my rule.

_Malcolm feigns self-doubt to test Macduff._

> Not in the legions Of horrid hell can come a devil more damn’d In evils to top Macbeth

Not even the worst devil in hell could surpass Macbeth in evil.

_Macduff insists no one could be worse than Macbeth._

> Your castle is surprised; your wife and babes Savagely slaughter’d

Your castle was attacked, and your wife and children were brutally killed.

_Ross delivers the tragic news to Macduff._

> All my pretty ones? Did you say all? O hell-kite! All? What, all my pretty chickens and their dam At one fell swoop?

All my children? You said all? Oh, that hellish bird of prey! All of them—my little chicks and their mother—killed in one terrible blow?

_Macduff's anguished reaction to his family's murder._

> Dispute it like a man

Face it with courage like a man.

_Malcolm urges Macduff to channel grief into action._

> I shall do so; But I must also feel it as a man

I will act like a man, but I must also grieve as a human being.

_Macduff asserts that true manhood includes emotion._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/macbeth_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-iii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/macbeth_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/macbeth_se/chapters