This dialogue comes directly after the murder of King Duncan, at
the very end of Act II. Generally, they are discussing the unnatural nature of the killing and
how the weirdness of it all is reflected in the natural events surrounding it: the bizarre
darkness of the day; that a large falcon was harassed and killed by a much smaller bird; that the
king's horses attacked and bit each other. All of these references are meant to show how deeply
the world is troubled by the awful, bloody murder that has just
occurred.
OLD
MAN:
Threescore and ten I can remember
well:
Within the volume of which time I have
seen
Hours dreadful and things strange, but this sore
night
Hath trifled former
knowings.
ROSS:
Ah, good
father,
Thou seest the heavens, as troubled with man's
act,
Threaten his bloody stage. By the clock ’tis
day,
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?
OLD MAN:
’Tis
unnatural,
Even like the deed that's done. On Tuesday
last
A falcon towering in her pride of
place
Was by a mousing owl hawk'd at and
kill'd.
ROSS:
And Duncan's horses—a
thing most strange
and
certain—
Beauteous and swift, the
minions of their race,
Turn'd wild in nature, broke their stalls,
flung out,
Contending ’gainst obedience, as they would
make
War with mankind.
OLD
MAN:
’Tis said they eat each other.
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