Act 2 Scene 3 Compare how Macbeth behaves in this scene with his behaviour in the previous sceneMacbeth by William Shakespeare

There is clearly a marked difference in Macbeth's demeanor
in Act II Scene 3 compared with his words and actions in Act II, Scene 2.  In the second
scene, for instance, as Macbeth contemplates his murderous action, he is ridden with
guilt and misgivings.  For, when he returns to Lady Macbeth after he has slain King
Duncan, Macbeth reviews what has occurred and he tells his wife that he heard a voice
cry

“Glamis
hath murdered sleep, and therefore Cawdor
Shall sleep no more. Macbeth shall
sleep no more.” (2.2.55)

and
he confesses to his trepidation:  "I am afraid to think what I have done" (2.2.65); he
tells Lady Macbeth that no ocean can wash the blood from his hand.  And, when he hears
knocking, Macbeth wishes that Duncan could awaken to this sound, wishing to undone his
heinous act.

In contrast to this behavior, Macbeth seems in
control of his emotions in the next scene, as in the morning he greets Lennox and
Macduff as though nothing has happened to their king, leading them to King Duncan's
chambers, telling them that the king has not stirred yet although he plans on leaving
this day.  Yet, incongruously, when the two noblemen discover that Duncan is dead and
the two guards have blood smeared on them, Macbeth, dissembling, confesses to having
slain these guards,

O, yet I do repent me of my fury,

That I did kill them. (2.3.117-118)He explains that when he saw the body of
King Duncan slain and "overtook with gore," his anger overtook him and he killed the
"murderers."

Thus, the character of Macbeth is completely different
in Act II, Scene 2 from that of Act II, Scene 3, for he is guilt-ridden and frightened
at first, but in the next scene, he appears to be in control of his feelings,
although his are incongruous actions.