Macduff meets with Malcolm in England and to test Macduff’s loyalty Malcolm portrays himself in the worse possible light for a man to be, saying he would take all the noble’s money and have sex with every women in the country, regardless of status and age. That he has sinned more than Macbeth (now only known as an unnamed tyrant) and is entirely unfit to be king. Macduff exclaims “O Scotland! Scotland!” reveling that his loyalty lies not to the individual king but to the country as a whole. Malcolm explains that in fact he has never lied, is incredibly selfless and is a good man. A doctor arrives and briefly speaks of King Edwards ability to heal all with his hands. He is described as a worthy king even by Malcolm. Then Rosse arrives and explains that not only that Scotland is in a terrible state where flowers live longer than people but that Macduff’s castle has been ransacked and everyone inside killed, including his wife and children. As he mourns Malcolm attempts to turn pain into rage and they prepare to invade.
“I am yet unknown to women; never was forsworn; scarcely have coveted what was mine own; at no time broke my faith; would not betray the devil to his fellow; and delight no less in truth than life: my false speaking was this apon myself.”