Macduff Vows Revenge (Act 4, Scene 3)

Macduff meets Malcolm in England, seeking his help to overthrow Macbeth. Malcolm initially tests Macduff's loyalty by feigning negative qualities and claiming to be a worse tyrant than Macbeth.

Macduff's passionate denouncement of Malcolm's supposed vices reveals his true loyalty and devotion to Scotland. Malcolm, convinced of Macduff's sincerity, reveals he was testing him and that he Malcolm never betrays people and never lies.  Malcolm declares he is here for his people and Scotland. A doctor enters and says that a crowd of sick people are waiting to be cured by a good kings healing touch.

They are joined by Ross and Macduff asks Ross how things are going in Scotland. Ross says Macbeth is terrorising and killing people. The death knell rings so often that people don’t even ask who is dead.

Macduff asks about his wife and Ross says ‘well’.  Macduff senses he is holding something back. Ross provides good news of people preparing for war against Macbeth and tells Malcolm now is the time to help Scotland. Malcolm reassures Ross that they will be on their way to Scotland with the help of an English army.

Now Ross can no longer hold back the worst news and asks forgiveness for lying, ‘Let not your ears despise my tongue for ever’. Ross tells the devastating news of the murder of Macduff's family by Macbeth's forces. Malcolm offers comfort and urges Macduff to channel his grief into revenge. Macduff vows to fight Macbeth, fuelled by his loss and desire for vengeance.