How does King Edward in act 4, scene 3 contrast with Macbeth?

King Edward of England contrasts with Macbeth most significantly in his ability to heal the sick, something that, for Christians, only God can do. Malcolm tells Macduff that Edward's ability is "miraculous," that he is visited by extremely sick people who are "All swoll'n and ulcerous" and whom medicine has not helped (4.3.169, 173). Edward prays for them and hangs a "golden stamp about their necks," and they are, miraculously, healed of their terrible malady (4.3.175). Further, in addition to this apparently divine gift of healing, Edward "hath a heavenly gift of prophecy" as well, and these kingly gifts have benefited the kingdom of England greatly under Edward's rule (4.3.179).

It seems, then, that King Edward is truly anointed by God, as he is able to perform miracles, such as healing the sick, and predict the future. Macbeth, of course, has no such abilities. In fact, Scotland has languished and suffered under his rule. Edward has healed where Macbeth has destroyed.

One major reason why this is important in the play is that it gives King Edward and his army license, the seemingly divine right, to invade Scotland and kill Macbeth, who is now king. At the time Shakespeare wrote the play, true kings were believed to be chosen and blessed by God, and so it was a tricky thing to consider killing a monarch. In contrasting Edward with Macbeth, Shakespeare makes it clear that, in the play at least, God was not with Macbeth, because if God were, then Macbeth would have these divine powers that Edward enjoys.

How does King Edward in act 4, scene 3 contrast with Macbeth?

King Edward appears to be the polar opposite of Macbeth. According to three witnesses, Macduff, Malcolm, and Ross, Macbeth has been a disaster for Scotland. The Scottish people are bleeding, wounded, and dying because of Macbeth's evil. The country is sick. Macduff describes it as follows:

Each new morn

New widows howl, new orphans cry, new sorrows

Strike heaven on the face.

How does King Edward in act 4, scene 3 contrast with Macbeth?

In Act Four, Scene 3, Malcolm asks the Doctor if King Edward is coming out. The Doctor responds by telling Malcolm that a crowd of people have gathered and are waiting for King Edward to heal them. The Doctor proceeds to explain to Malcolm that King Edward has been given a special power from heaven to heal people by simply touching them. Malcolm then mentions to Macduff that he had witnessed King Edward's special gift and recalled a time when King Edward healed several people who had strange illnesses. Also, King Edward has the gift of prophecy and will bequeath his ability to heal others to his royal descendants. All of King Edward's unique gifts are signs that he is in God's favor. King Edward is described as a benevolent ruler who is loved by God and his subjects. 

In contrast, Macbeth has a murderous touch, and his subjects fear him. Also, Macbeth does not possess unique gifts, nor is he in God's favor. Macbeth's descendants will not inherit his throne, and he is essentially cursed by his own ambition. 

Briefly contrast King Edward of England and King Macbeth of Scotland in Macbeth.

Macduff, after hearing about Macbeth's ruthless murder of his wife and children, calls him "this fiend of Scotland". In an earlier conversation, Malcolm had referred to Macbeth in the harshest of terms, saying that:

"This tyrant, whose sole name blisters our tongues, was once thought honest:"

When he refers to Scotland under Macbeth's rule, he says:

"... our country sinks beneath the yoke;
It weeps, it bleeds; and each new day a gash
Is added to her wounds:"

This obviously suggests that Macbeth's rule is oppressive and that Scotland's people are burdened by his irrational, merciless control. Scotland is in pain under Macbeth's authority and each day of his reign brings even more hurt and sorrow. Malcolm also calls Macbeth 'black' suggesting that he is enveloped by evil.

Macduff feels that Macbeth is so evil that:

"Not in the legions
Of horrid hell can come a devil more damn'd
In evils to top Macbeth."

Malcolm further declares about Macbeth:

"I grant him bloody,
Luxurious, avaricious, false, deceitful,
Sudden, malicious, smacking of every sin
That has a name:"  

It is clear that Macbeth is deemed the epitome of evil, there remains not one redeeming quality. He is utterly possessed by evil and his atrocities know no bounds.

In contrast, Malcolm says the following about King Edward:

"A most miraculous work in this good king;
Which often, since my here-remain in England,
I have seen him do. How he solicits heaven,
Himself best knows: but strangely-visited people,
All swoln and ulcerous, pitiful to the eye,
The mere despair of surgery, he cures,
Hanging a golden stamp about their necks,
Put on with holy prayers: and 'tis spoken,
To the succeeding royalty he leaves
The healing benediction. With this strange virtue,
He hath a heavenly gift of prophecy,
And sundry blessings hang about his throne,
That speak him full of grace."

Edward, therefore, in opposition to Macbeth, is nurturing and caring, a king blessed with the power to heal. He is religious and seeks help from the heavens (God), unlike Macbeth, who solicits assistance from the witches, who are servants of evil. Edward provides healing blessings, where Macbeth only brings damnation, death and destruction. Edward is able to predict the future, a heavenly gift, whereas Macbeth seeks prophecy from the witches and indulges them in their evil.

Furthermore, Edward has an inherent goodness about him and he is richly blessed, he is humble and thankful. Macbeth, on the other hand, is avaricious, ungrateful and arrogant. Finally, Edward's subjects approach him for assistance and love him for his kindness, whilst Macbeth's subjects fear him and desperately wish to escape his evil tyranny.