Scene 1: An imaginary dagger leads Macbeth onwards to killing Duncan.

SCENE 2:

Characters: Lady Macbeth, Macbeth

Location: Macbeth’s castle

Time: Middle of the night

Events: Macbeth is filled with regret after killing Duncan and framing the guards. He believes that his stained hands could not be cleansed by the greatest oceans and his guiltiness will follow him forever. On the other hand, Lady Macbeth thinks a little water will cleanse their guilt of the deed.

Quote: “Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood clean from my hand? No, this my hand will rather the multitudinous seas incarnadine, making the green one red”

SCENE 3:

Characters: Porter, Macduff, Lenox, Lady Macbeth, Banquo, Donalbain, Malcolm

Location: Macbeth’s castle

Time: In the morning of the next day

Events: Macduff and lenox arrive at Macbeth’s castle and Porter recites to them effects of the “drink” last night. Macduff is the first to lay eyes upon Duncan’s corpse and instantly reports this news to the others. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth act surprised and imitate the others’ incredulous reactions. Macbeth reports that he killed the guards in his fury, but in truth killed the guards so they could not speak against him. Donalbain and Malcolm talk privately about fleeing separate ways while they can.

Quote: “There’s daggers in men’s smiles; the near in blood, The nearer bloody”

SCENE 4:

Characters: Old man, Rosse, Macduff

Location: Outside the castle

Time: Unknown, during the day

Events: Rosse and Macduff talk about the murder of Duncan and those suspected to be guilty. Macduff reports that Macbeth has already been named and on his way to the Scone.

Quote: “T is unnatural… On Tuesday last, A falcon, towering in her pride of place, was by a mousing owl hawked at, and killed”