Macbeth gets a whole heap of bad news in this scene. He learns from the doctor that his wife is not well, and that there’s nothing the doctor can do to help her. Plus, he hears that ten thousand English troops and a whole lot of Scottish ones have gathered together to take him down. He prepares to fight.
Macbeth
Don’t bring me any more reports. Let all my men run away. Until Birnam Wood comes to the castle, I don’t have anything to be afraid of. Who cares about Malcolm? Didn’t a woman give birth to him? The spirits who know the future told me this: “Don’t be afraid, Macbeth. No man who was born from a woman shall ever be able to defeat you.” So run away, you disloyal lords, run away to the effiminate Englishmen! My mind and heart are forever free from doubt and fear.
May the devil turn your face black, you cream-faced idiot! Why do you look like a frightened goose?
Servant
There are ten thousand –
Macbeth
Geese, you fool?
Servant
Soldiers, sir.
Macbeth
Go poke yourself in the face and spread the blood around so you don’t look so pale, cowardly boy. What soldiers, idiot? Damn you – those white cheeks advertise your fear. What soldiers, milk-face?
Servant
The English forces, sir.
Macbeth
Get your stupid face out of here.
Seyton! – my heart’s sick when I look at – Seyton, I say! – This battle will make me happy forever or destroy me right now. I’ve lived long enough. My life has dryed up, like a leaf in autumn. The things that should come with old age – respect, love, obedience, and groups of friends – I’ll never have. Instead, I have curses - not loud ones but deeply felt - and lip service. And I still have life, which my heart would gladly bring to an end, but I don’t have the courage. Seyton!
Seyton
What would you like, your grace?
Macbeth
Any more news?
Seyton
Everything they reported was confirmed, my lord.
Macbeth
I'll fight until they hack the flesh from my bones. Give me my armor.
Seyton
You don’t need it yet.
Macbeth
I'll put it on. Send out more riders to scour the country. Hang anyone who speaks of fear. Give me my armor. How is your patient, doctor?
Doctor
She’s not really sick, my lord, just troubled by frequent delusions that keep her from sleeping.
Macbeth
Cure her of that. Can’t you treat a diseased mind, pluck the sorrows from out of her memory, or erase the troubles in her brain? Can’t you administer an antidote to the poisons in her heart?
Doctor
Those are things only the patient can do for herself.
Macbeth
Throw medicine to the dogs! I don’t need it – Come here and help me put my armor on. Give me my staff. - Seyton, send out the riders. Doctor, the lords are running away from me. - Come, sir, hurry up - Doctor, if you could look at my country’s urine to figure out her disease and then cure her, I would applaud you to the end of the earth, where the applause would echo back and you’d hear it again - Hey, pull it off - If only some rhubarb, senna, or some other purgative drug could drive the English out! Have you heard they’ve invaded?
Doctor
Yes, my good lord, I figured as much from your war preparations.
Macbeth
Follow me with my armor. I will not be afraid of death or destruction until Birnam forest comes to Dunsinane castle.
Doctor
[Aside] If only I were far away from this castle, no amount of money could ever get me to come back.
