To carry out the prophecy, he and his wife, Lady Macbeth, kill King Duncan and a number of other people, but Macbeth is consumed by panic and guilt over his terrible actions. Macbeth's sense of guilt softens the character and makes him seem at least somewhat likeable to the audience.

In order to frame the guards and therefore cover up King Duncan's murder, Lady Macbeth takes command when Macbeth is horrified and tells him to wash his hands of the blood and go back to bed. She returns the daggers to the crime scene.

Malcolm

“What will you do? Let's not consort with them. To show an unfelt sorrow is an office Which the false man does easy. I'll to England.” (2.4.133-135)

Donalbain

“To Ireland, I. Our separated fortune Shall keep us both the safer. Where we are, There's daggers in men's smiles. The near in blood, The nearer bloody.”

(2.4.136-139a)

Duncan's sons, Malcolm and Donalbain, decided to flee after their father was murdered because they realized they were in danger. After discovering that their father was dead, they understood that they might be the next targets for murder. Malcolm, the elder son, chose to go to England, while Donalbain went to Ireland. By leaving, they hoped to protect themselves from whoever had committed the murder, as staying in Scotland could put their lives at risk and there’s no one to fully trust in.

The certainty of Lady Macbeth is interrupted by anxiety. Throughout the performance, the audience might hear the owl's scream, or it could just be Lady Macbeth's imagination. At any rate, she alternates between confidence and terror.

To hide his sinister plans for the assassination of King Duncan, Macbeth tells Banquo falsehoods about the witches' predictions. His increasing moral decay and attempt to allay Banquo's doubts about his goals are reflected in this lie.

Macbeth claims that he killed king Duncan's guards because he was extremely upset over the king's passing and felt angry at the guards for killing the king. His motivation for killing them was to prevent the guards from revealing any proof that he had murdered the king.