Shakespeare's Macbeth Act 2, scene 3 A porter goes to answer the door, joking to himself that he is the doorkeeper at the mouth of hell, and mocking whoever might be knocking to get into hell. At the door are Macduff and Lennox. Macduff goodnaturedly asks what took so long. The porter blames drunkenness, and makes a series of jokes about alcohol and its effects on men. Macbeth enters, pretending to have just woken up. Macduff asks if the King has woken yet. Duncan had asked to see Macduff early that morning. Macbeth points out where Duncan is sleeping, and Macduff goes to wake him.
As they wait for Macduff to return, Lennox describes the terrible storm that raged the previous night and sounded like "strange screams of death" (line 52). Macduff cries out in horror and runs onstage. Macbeth and Lennox ask what happened, then run to Duncan's chamber. Banquo, Malcolm, and Donalbain wake. Lady Macbeth enters, pretending not to know what happened, and expressing horror when Macduff tells her of the murder. Macbeth returns, and wishes he had died rather than to have to see such a such a thing. Malcolm and Donalbain enter and ask what's happened. Lennox tells them that Duncan was murdered by his drunken attendants. Macbeth wishes aloud that he hadn't killed the attendants. When Macduff asks why Macbeth did kill the attendants, Macbeth says he was so furious that they had murdered Duncan that he couldn't control himself. Lady Macbeth faints. The thanes agree to meet in the hall to discuss what's happened. Malcolm and Donalbain remain behind. They realize that one of the thanes is probably the murderer and fear that they'll be the next targets. They decide to flee: Malcolm to England and Donalbain to Ireland. As you read the next two scenes, notice the frightening events that follow Duncan's death.