He points out that Macduff could still go back over to the side of Macbeth, who "Was once thought honest: you have loved him well. Malcolm then makes things even worse for Macduff by expressing doubts about Macduff's own motivations. Finally, everything that Macduff has been saying "may be so perchance," which means that it very well could be true. In addition, he will take action only when he "shall find the time to friend," that is, when all the circumstances show that a particular time is friendly to his cause. I will," which implies that there may be problems that he can not redress. Malcolm has said that he will shed tears only if he believes what Macduff is saying, and he will believe it only if he knows it to be true (presumably from other sources). What you have spoke, it may be so perchance" (4.3.8-11). First of all he tells Macduff, "What I believe I'll wail, / What know believe, and what I can redress, / As I shall find the time to friend, I will. Macduff goes on to describe Scotland's agony, but Malcolm remains very wary. Macduff believes that his "birthdom," his native land and Malcolm's, is in desperate trouble, and he wants to protect it at all costs.
![macbeth act 4 scene 3 macbeth act 4 scene 3](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/3QZWCpjkU3k/maxresdefault.jpg)
When a soldier bestrides a fallen comrade, he protects him by standing with one foot on each side of his comrade's body, and fighting from there. There is a great sense of urgency in Macduff's words. Macduff replies, "Let us rather / Hold fast the mortal sword, and like good men / Bestride our down-fall'n birthdom" (4.3.2-4). Of course, this isn't the response that Macduff wants. This is Malcolm's way of expressing sympathy without committing himself to anything. The first words of the scene are Malcolm's response: "Let us seek out some desolate shade, and there / Weep our sad bosoms empty" (4.3.1-2). Malcolm and Macduff are at the English court, and as the scene opens, Macduff has already been telling Malcolm of the terrible things that have been happening in Scotland. With such a king on the throne of Scotland, it's not safe to trust anyone from Scotland, so Malcolm is extremely cautious in his dealings with Macduff. To understand the first part of this scene, we must remember that Macbeth pays spies to keep tabs on his nobles, and that he sends assassins after his enemies. Everyone is now ready to make war against Macbeth. Speaking to Malcolm and Macduff, Ross tells of Scotland's suffering under Macbeth and of the slaughter of Macduff's wife and children. ≺ doctor tells of the English King's miraculous ability to heal the sick. Macduff seeks Malcolm's support for a war against Macbeth, and Malcolm tests Macduff's intentions.
![macbeth act 4 scene 3 macbeth act 4 scene 3](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/4qV_PB-BcWI/maxresdefault.jpg)
Detailed Summary of Macbeth, Act 4, Scene 3: