Macbeth - Act 3 Scene 6
Forres. The palace.
Enter LENNOX and another Lord
Once again, there is a hint towards previous action not seen in the play. Lennox and this unnamed Lord have met before, and have apparently already had a similar conversation.
Like Macduff's speech in 2.4, Lennox's speech seems overly cautious. His words appear to support Macbeth, but to such an extent that the tone becomes parodic.
Here he recounts the events of the play, taking care to present them in a way that supports Macbeth and places blame on others.
This interjection, perhaps spoken under his breath, indicates that Lennox does not believe much of what he has been saying, and is more loyal to Duncan's sons than to Macbeth.
LENNOX
My former speeches have but hit your thoughts,
Which can interpret further: only, I say,
Things have been strangely borne. The gracious Duncan
Was pitied of Macbeth: marry, he was dead;
And the right-valiant Banquo walked too late;
Whom, you may say, if't please you, Fleance killed,
For Fleance fled. Men must not walk too late.
Who cannot want the thought how monstrous
It was for Malcolm and for Donalbain
To kill their gracious father? Damnèd fact!
How it did grieve Macbeth! Did he not straight
In pious rage the two delinquents tear,
That were the slaves of drink and thralls of sleep?
Was not that nobly done? Ay, and wisely too;
For 'twould have angered any heart alive
To hear the men deny't. So that, I say,
He has borne all things well: and I do think
That had he Duncan's sons under his key–
As, an't please heaven, he shall not–they should find
What 'twere to kill a father; so should Fleance.
But, peace! For from broad words and 'cause he failed
His presence at the tyrant's feast, I hear
Macduff lives in disgrace. Sir, can you tell
Where he bestows himself?
Like the Old Man of 2.4, the unnamed Lord is direct and to the point, holding Macbeth to be a tyrant and wishing for Malcolm and Macduff to return and save Scotland.
He is vocal in describing Malcolm as the legitimate King of Scotland, and praises the English King, Edward the Confessor, for his gracious treatment of Malcolm, and his support of Duncan's son as the true heir.
The nameless Lord presents Malcolm as Scotland's shining hope, who will restore safety and trust, allowing for honest allegiance and true loyalty, rather than the fear and flattery commanded by Macbeth.
Lord
The son of Duncan,
From whom this tyrant holds the due of birth,
Lives in the English court, and is received
Of the most pious Edward with such grace
That the malevolence of fortune nothing
Takes from his high respect. Thither Macduff
Is gone to pray the holy King upon his aid
To wake Northumberland and warlike Siward;
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,
Do faithful homage and receive free honours,
All which we pine for now. And this report
Hath so exasperate the King that he
Prepares for some attempt of war.
LENNOX
Sent he to Macduff?
This report builds on the mention of Macduff in the previous scene. Macbeth has now invited Macduff to court, and Macduff has refused him, then fled to England in order to convince Malcolm to return with an army.
The Lord's speech is ambiguous here; it may suggest that the messenger would suffer for bringing back bad news (as we will see happen to other messengers in 5.3 and 5.5). It could also mean that the messenger predicted misfortune would befall Macduff because of this reply.
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.'
LENNOX
And that well might
Advise him to a caution, to hold what distance
His wisdom can provide. 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!
Lord
I'll send my prayers with him.
Exeunt