Act 3 Scene 6


That, by the help of these – with Him above To ratify the work – we may again Give to our tables meat, sleep to our nights, Free from our feasts and banquets bloody knives,11 Do faithful homage and receive free honours:12 All which we pine13


for now: and this report Hath so exasperate14 the King that he


Prepares for some attempt of war. LENNOX


Sent he to Macduff? 40


LORD He did: and with an absolute 'Sir, not I,' The cloudy messenger turns me his back, And hums, as who should say 'You'll rue the time That clogs me with this answer.'15


LENNOX And that well might


Advise him to a caution, to hold what distance His wisdom can provide.16


Some holy angel


Fly to the court of England and unfold His message ere he come, that a swift blessing May soon return to this our suffering country Under a hand accursed!17


LORD I'll send my prayers with him. [Exeunt] Commentary 


The thanes have now come to suspect that Macbeth killed Duncan and Banquo. The audience learns thatMacbeth’s rule is considered tyrannical and that allwant himoverthrown. The scene also gives Shakespeare the opportunity to introduce the idea of a rebellion supported by English troops.





The scene employs contrasting imagery that associates Macbeth with hell and his opposing forceswith heaven. Scotland is said to suffer ‘Under a hand accursed’, i.e.Macbeth’s.Whereas Edward is seen as a saintlike figure who has received Malcolm with ‘grace’. Similarly, Macduff has gone to ‘pray the holy king’ (Edward). The lord appeals to ‘Himabove / to ratify the work’ and Lennox hopes a ‘holy angel’ will bring a message to Edward sooner, to secure a ‘swift blessing’ for Scotland.


16 15


The cloudy messenger…this answer: The grumbling messenger turned his back as if to say ‘You’ll regret burdening me with this answer’. The messenger is not happy about having to give Macbeth such a rude reply from Macduff.


And that well…can provide: And that alone should caution Macduff to keep his distance from Macbeth.


17 hand accursed: evil ruler


Macbeth


11


Free from...knives: free ourselves from the threat of murder at our banquets


Do faithful…honours: give the King honours and be rewarded honestly 13 pine: crave/long for 14 exasperate: annoyed


12


82


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