Macbeth - Act 2 Scene 4
Outside Macbeth's castle.
Enter ROSS and an Old Man
Old Man
Threescore and ten I can remember well,
Within the volume of which time I have seen
Hours dreadful and things strange; but this sore night
Hath trifled former knowings.
Ross' speech, like Lennox's in 2.3, suggests that Ducan's murder has affected the natural world as well as human politics. In this case, the sun no longer shines, which may indicate a solar eclipse.
ROSS
Ah, good father,
Thou seest, the heavens, as troubled with man's act,
Threaten his bloody stage: by the clock, 'tis day,
And yet dark night strangles the travelling lamp.
Is't night's predominance, or the day's shame,
That darkness does the face of earth entomb,
When living light should kiss it?
Ross and the Old Man agree that the murder is unnatural and that its effects echo through the world, but neither seems overtly concerned with identifying the murderer.
Old Man
'Tis unnatural,
Even like the deed that's done. On Tuesday last,
A falcon, towering in her pride of place,
Was by a mousing owl hawked at and killed.
ROSS
And Duncan's horses – a thing most strange and certain –
Beauteous and swift, the minions of their race,
Turned wild in nature, broke their stalls, flung out,
Contending 'gainst obedience, as they would make
War with mankind.
Old Man
'Tis said they eat each other.
ROSS
They did so, to the amazement of mine eyes
That looked upon't. Here comes the good Macduff.
Enter MACDUFF
How goes the world, sir, now?
MACDUFF
Why, see you not?
ROSS
Is't known who did this more than bloody deed?
MACDUFF
Those that Macbeth hath slain.
ROSS
Alas, the day!
What good could they pretend?
Macduff's words, like Lennox's in 3.6, are carefully chosen. On the surface, they express agreement with the official story, but they can also be spoken to indicate Macduff's suspicions about Duncan's true murderer.
MACDUFF
They were suborned:
Malcolm and Donalbain, the King's two sons,
Are stol'n away and fled; which puts upon them
Suspicion of the deed.
ROSS
'Gainst nature still!
Thriftless ambition, that wilt ravin up
Thine own life's means! Then 'tis most like
The sovereignty will fall upon Macbeth.
Macbeth's election to kingship, and his crowning at Scone, are both significant moments in the play which occur offstage, and are reported rather than shown to the audience.
MACDUFF
He is already named, and gone to Scone
To be invested.
ROSS
Where is Duncan's body?
MACDUFF
Carried to Colmekill,
The sacred storehouse of his predecessors,
And guardian of their bones.
ROSS
Will you to Scone?
MACDUFF
No, cousin, I'll to Fife.
The parting of Macduff and Ross indicates the continued fracturing of the country under Macbeth, as his thanes begin choosing sides. Macduff's parting words also recall the trope of clothing and of changing clothes.
ROSS
Well, I will thither.
MACDUFF
Well, may you see things well done there. Adieu!
Lest our old robes sit easier than our new!
ROSS
Farewell, father.
The Old Man's parting blessing, added to Ross' earlier reference to him as "good father," may indicate that he is a priest, strengthening his position as a moral authority in the scene.
Old Man
God's benison go with you; and with those
That would make good of bad, and friends of foes!
Exeunt