The Discovery of the Crime

Scene summary

Knocking comes at the gate of Inverness, and a Porter, still drunk, who jokes about being keeper of the gates of Hell and wonders who might come, takes his time opening to Macduff and Lennox. He explains that they drank all night, and that drink brings red noses, sleep, and urination, and that it stirs desire and then frustrates it. Macbeth arrives and leads Macduff to the door of the king's chamber, which Macduff was to call on early. While Macduff goes in, Lennox comments on the turbulent night: the gale knocked down chimneys, cries of death were heard in the air, and the owl shrieked without stop. Macduff comes back shouting that Duncan has been murdered and orders the bell rung to wake the house. Lady Macbeth asks, distraught, how this could happen in their house. Banquo asks Macduff to deny the news, and Lennox says the chamberlains, with their hands and daggers stained with blood, look like the guilty ones. Macbeth says he regrets the fury that drove him to kill them and, when Macduff asks why, claims an outburst of love for the king. Lady Macbeth calls for help and is carried out. Banquo proposes that everyone dress and gather to investigate, and all agree. Alone, Malcolm and Donalbain, who trust no one in the house, decide to flee: Malcolm to England and Donalbain to Ireland.