A doctor then interrupts the conversation between Macduff and Malcolm. The doctor tells the prince that many people have gathered in order to be touched by the king of England (142-43). At this time in history the king was Edward the Confessor, who is also referred to as Saint Edward. Edward the Confessor was an Anglo-Saxon king who ruled England from 1042 to 1066. Historical texts indicate that King Edward had the ability to work miracles. He could cure the sick and lame simply by placing his hand upon them, and Edward stated that this power came from God. The description of Edward in this play serves not only to establish the dates or time frame of the story. King Edward is also presented as a contrast to King Macbeth. Because Edward is a good king, many “blessings hang about his throne” (159). But Macbeth is not a good king. And, so, Macbeth will not receive any blessings from God.
In the last section of Scene 3, Ross arrives from Scotland to inform Malcolm and Macduff of the most recent acts of tyranny occurring in Scotland. Ross also tells Macduff the sad news about how his wife and children were “savagely slaughtered” (206). Macduff is heart-stricken, but he also plans to get revenge:
Front to front
Bring thou this fiend of Scotland and myself.
Within my sword’s length set him. If he scape,
Heaven forgive him too. (234-37)
The last line of this quote is ironic. What Macduff is suggesting is that the only way he could allow Macbeth to escape is that if he forgave him. But Macduff will never forgive (pardon or excuse) him. So, the line might be revised in this manner: If Macbeth escapes, then let Heaven forgive him just as I forgave him. But Macduff’s intended meaning is this: he will never forgive Macbeth, and he does not wish heaven or God to forgive him either. Thus, Macduff plans to get his revenge and will let nothing stop him until he accomplishes it. One might view the final act of the play, then, as a revenge tragedy with Macduff as the hero.