Macbeth is speaking here in Act III, scene IV regarding
the report he received from the murderers he hired to kill Banquo and Fleance. The
murderers report that Banquo is "safe"--safely dead in the ditch with many gashes.
However, Fleance has escaped. To this, Macbeth responds, "We have scotch'd the snake,
not killed it. She'll close and be herself, whilst our porr malice remains in danger of
her former tooth." He means they have not taken care of the situation. Banquo is only
part of the problem. His issue will be Kings, so Fleance still has that opportunity
and Macbeth is not safe on the throne. Fleance, while only a boy, will grow up and
become the full-grown snake that will take Macbeth and all his evil plans to get to the
throne out, once and for good. The snake (the threat against Macbeth's place on the
throne--Banquo and Fleance) is only wounded, but will return to strength and her "former
tooth".
In the rest of the quote, Macbeth references "both
worlds." This could be the worlds of good and evil (which is also symbolized as England
and Scotland in this play), the worlds of the living and the dead, or some other
interpretation. Both worlds suffer--Macbeth is not at ease or comfortable in his new
position as he thought he would be. He and his wife have done awful things to get
there, and they are suspected of the deeds. Even Lady Macbeth, the strong and so sure
of herself woman, is having trouble adjusting. Therefore, they "eat their meals in fear
and are troubled nightly by horrible nightmares".
Macbeth
goes on to say that it is better to be dead than to be mentally tormented as he is with
all the guilt and the memories of the evil he has committed to become King. He has
continued killing (not just Duncan, but also the guards, Banquo, an attempt on Fleance,
and later, McDuff's family) in order to gain his "peace"--to secure his throne so he
wouldn't have the prophecy and other threats against his position as King--and so he has
sent these people to their "peace" where they no longer have any worries at
all.
I hope this helps clarify some things for you. Enjoy
your journey! Macbeth is one of my all-time favorite Shakespeare plays. Good
Luck!
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