Macbeth key quote cards- Act 2 Scene 4

He is already named and gone to Scone to be invested - Macduff

Macduff announces that Macbeth is now to be crowned the King of Scotland. This is because Malcolm and Donalbain have fled to England and Ireland. They were in fear of their lives after their father was murdered but their running away has been viewed with suspicion. This has worked perfectly for Macbeth's plans to be king.

No, cousin, I'll to Fife - Macduff

Macduff replies to Ross' question by informing him that he will not be attending Macbeth's coronation. He doesn't want to see Macbeth crowned as king and this again establishes Macduff as Macbeth's antagonist.

And Duncan's horses - a thing most strange and certain ..... 'Tis said they eat each other - Ross

Ross adds to the old man's account by telling the tale about Duncan's horses which supposedly ate each other on the night of Duncan's murder. Again, the natural order has been turned upside down. Another interpretation is that the strange events could also be the result of witchcraft.

Will you to Scone? - Ross

Ross asks Macduff whether he will go to Scone to see Macbeth crowned King.

A falcon, towering in her pride of place, Was by a mousing-owl hawk'd at and kill'd - old man

This scene acts as a summary to the dramatic events before it. The old man talking to Ross and Macduff describes the fact that he has never seen things so chaotic and strange. He uses the image of a falcon which has been killed by an owl. Here, the bird imagery shows how the natural order has been turned upside down. A bird of prey has been killed by an ordinary owl.