This scene is in England, at the Kings palace, and starts with Malcolm (Dunacns Son) and Macduff (a lord) talking. Malcolm is making himself look bad to try and reveal Macduff’s true loyalties, and to make sure he is not a spy sent by Macbeth. Malcolm is saying that “black Macbeth Will seem as pure as snow,……… being compared With my confineless harms.” and that, if he were king, he would sieze all the wealth of the Lords of Scotland for himself, and have sex with all the women and children there were, and that he has none of the attributes a king needs, like justice, perseverance and strength. He is clearly trying to flatter Macduff so he will reveal his thoughts on the matter, and after Malcolm talks lots about his many flaws, Macduff reveals that he loyal to the country of Scotland (and therefore God also) rather than to Macbeth when he says “O Scotland, Scotland!” because he is despairing about the future of Scotland with both the present and future King being so bad and dishonorable. Malcolm then hastily takes back all he has said claiming it was the first time his noble self had lied, and asks Macduff to join him in attacking Macbeth, with Siward and his “10,000 men”. Macduff also goes on about the horrible state of Scotland, how funerals are so common no-one even asks who has died anymore, and death has become normal. This is because the country is deteriorating as a result of Macbeth. The people in power only have the power because of the faith and respect the people have in them, so as Macbeth becomes dishonourable and untrustworthy, there is no real meaning or justice behind the law. This is an extreme version of pathetic fallacy because the sense of something bad happening is not just portrayed for the audience (through weather etc), it is actually happening in Scotland as a result of Macbeths act against God! Then Rosse arrives, and in comparison describes the wonders of the English King (who can heal with his hand), and drawing out suspense with false starts and obvious question avoiding, he eventually tells Macduff that his wife and children have been slaughtered! Macduff is heartbroken, but manages (with the help of Malcolm) to channel his grief into revenge against Macbeth, and prepares to join Malcolm in the attack against Macbeth. (For filling the witch’s recent warning of “beware of the Macduff)
