Shakespeare's Macbeth Act 1, scene 4 At a camp near the battlefield, Malcom tells Duncan that the old Thane of Cawdor confessed and repented before being executed. Duncan notes that you can't always trust a man by his outward show. Macbeth, Banquo, Ross, and Angus enter. Duncan says that even the gift of Cawdor is not as much as Macbeth deserves. Macbeth responds: "The service and loyalty I owe, in doing it, pays itself" (line 22). Duncan is pleased. He says: "I have begun to pant three, and will labour to make thee full of growing" (lines 2829). Next, he announces that Maclcom will be heir to the Scottish throne. (Kingship was not hereditary in Scotland at that time.) Duncan then adjourns the meeting and decides to spend the night at Macbeth's castle. Macbeth goes ahead to prepare for the King's visit, but notes that Malcom now stands between him and the throne. He begs the stars to "hide your fires, let not light see my black and deep desires" (line 51).
In the 11th century, the Scots followed a special system for naming their kings. The king in power would choose the next ruler. (Male family members were usually chosen.) This person would then be known as the Prince of Cumberland until he was crowned. In this way, the Scots would always have a leader ready to carry on after the current king. However, this system could lead to violence. Often a man next in line to the throne was tempted to speed things up by murdering the king. In fact, a total of ten Scottish kings were murdered by their successors. In this scene, note how Duncan’s announcement causes problems for Macbeth.
1 Act 1, scene 4
Dramatic Irony when the audience knows something that the characters in the play do not know.
DUNCAN (to Malcom) There’s no art To find the mind’s construction in the face. He was a gentleman on whom I built An absolute trust.
What do these lines mean? To whom is Duncan referring to? Why is this ironic?
Translation: There’s no way to read a man’s mind by looking at his face. I trusted Cawdor completely.
Duncan is referring to Macbeth.
Irony: Just as Duncan comments about how you can't trust people's outward appearance, Macbeth enters. Duncan has "absolute trust" in Macbeth, yet Macbeth plans to murder Duncan. Duncan does not know of Macbeth's plans, but the audience does.
2 Act 1, scene 4
King of Scotland loved by his subjects two sons: Malcom and Donalbain kind king generous, sensitive graceful speech and tone naive unsuspecting too kind
Thane of Glamis; Thane of Cawdor; eventually King of Scotland brave in battle ambitious confused angry guilty
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