Final answer:
Macbeth's state of mind in Act 2, Scene 3 is characterized by inner turmoil and paradoxical behaviour, as he juggles guilt and the need to appear loyal and shocked by Duncan's murder. His behavior towards others is inconsistent, and he is self-punishing, all of which is due to the conflict between his actions and his morals.
Step-by-step explanation:
Throughout Act 2, Scene 3 of Shakespeare's Macbeth, Macbeth's state of mind is tumultuous, manifesting a guilt-ridden and paranoid demeanor as a result of his role in Duncan's murder. He is erratic and his language reflects his tormented conscience. For instance, Macbeth states, "Who can be wise, amazed, temperate and furious, Loyal and neutral, in a moment? No man:" (2.3.86-88), exemplifying the internal conflict he faces between his loyalty and his treacherous act.
Macbeth's treatment of others is similarly unsteady. To the other characters, he presents a facade of shocked loyalty, yet his aside phrases reveal his true anxiety and knowledge. His treatment of himself is harsh and unforgiving, as evidenced by his inability to return to the crime scene, stating to Lady Macbeth, "I am afraid to think what I have done; Look on't again I dare not." (2.2.51)
He acts with such distress and duplicity because he is grappling with the gravity of his actions and their violation of his own moral code, and the subsequent need to conceal his guilt. The outward valour and loyalty he displays, as in the lines, "The service and the loyalty I owe, In doing it, pays itself." (1.4.22-23), are starkly contrasted by his inward turmoil and contemplation of the implications of his actions on the natural order.