Macbeth Act 1, Scene 4

Macbeth Act 1, Scene 4

1. Duncan: "To find the mind's construction in the face"

   • Duncan says it is difficult to work out what people are really thinking
   • He doesn't know macbeth plots to kill him

2. Dramatic Irony

   • Watch characters make decisions without knowledge of the whole story
   • We are told the Thane of Cawdor has been executed - died a good death
   • We know Macbeth wants to kill Duncan
     • They replace a traitor with a traitor - trust Macbeth

3. "My plenteous joys, wanton in fullness, seek to hide themselves, In drops of sorrow"

   • He is so happy about Macbeth he could cry
   • Personification of tears
     • Hyperbolic, over-blown language of Duncan shows his complete lack of awareness of what is going on behind the scenes
       • Shakespeare creates a sense of anticipation in his audience
         • he is praysing the man who wants to kill him
   • Macbeth, however replies in short basic language - shows he isn't as happy - has evil thoughts
     • Shakespeare constantly uses the language of the characters to point out differences

4. Macbeth: "The service and loyalty I owe, In doing it, pays itself."

   • He is hiding his real thoughts in false words
     • hiding his true feelings
   • The audience know that Duncan was also decieved by the old thane of Cawdor, Macbeth is taking advantage of this weakness
   • He is saying that doing service and protecting the king in itself is a reward

5. Duncan names his son the successor - Prince of Cumberland

   • Macbeth now believes he has no choice but to kill Duncan
     • "Stars, hide your fires! Let not light see my black and deep desires"
       • This confirms that Macbeth is now set on killing Duncan
       • Personfiying stars - telling them to not show light so that he won't be seen killing Duncan
       • Theme of play: apperance vs Reality
       • Almost like nature his helping him - they decieve the world from his plans even after he kills Duncan