Act 2, Scene 4 Summary

Location: Outside Macbeth’s castle
Characters: Old Man, Rosse, Macduff
Events: Rosse and the Old Man discuss the murder and the unnatural events that have followed. Macduff soon joins them and reports that King Duncan’s sons have been accused of bribing the guards. This adds suspicion to Duncan’s sons. He also reports that Macbeth has already left to Scone to be crowned as the new King. Rosse plans to attend Macbeth’s coronation but Macduff decides to return home to Fife.
Quote: “And yet dark night strangles the travelling lamp.
Is’t night’s predominance, or the day’s shame,
That darkness does the face of earth entomb,
When living light should kiss it?” -Rosse