Act 1, Scene 4 Flashcards
What happened in Act 1, Scene 4?
King Duncan asks about the execution of Cawdor. King Duncan’s son Malcolm reports that he confessed and died nobly. Macbeth and Banquo, along with Ross and Angus, join the rest of Duncan’s party. Duncan thanks them both for their part in the battle and announces that his eldest son, Malcolm, will inherit the throne from him when he dies. Duncan then says they will visit Macbeth’s castle as they travel ‘from hence to Inverness’ and will celebrate there. Macbeth decides to go on ahead to tell his wife. He remarks to himself that Malcolm is now ‘a step on which I must fall down, or else o’erleap’ to get to the throne.
What was so shocking about treason?
Treason was one of the worst things that a person could commit. It was even worse than being a coward.
What is a quote that shows ambition, Violence, Nature and the Unnatural, and manhood?
‘Stars, hide your fires!
Let not light see my black and deep desires.’
What is the device used in this quote?
The device used in this quote is personification. Macbeth is addressing the stars as if they have the ability to hide or reveal his inner thoughts and desires.
What is some analysis of this quote?
In this quote, Macbeth is expressing his desire for secrecy and concealment. The personification of the stars suggests a plea to the cosmos to keep his dark ambitions hidden from the light. It reveals Macbeth’s inner turmoil and the conflict between his ambitious desires and the need to maintain a façade of innocence.
How does it link to the theme of ambition?
The theme of ambition is prevalent in this quote as Macbeth acknowledges his “black and deep desires.” It reflects his intense yearning for power and the lengths he is willing to go to achieve his ambitions, even if it means concealing them from the world.
Who says ‘More is thy due than more than all can pay’?
King Duncan.
What is some analysis of , ‘More is thy due than more than all can pay’?
Higher order thinking - notice the repetition of ‘more’ this is quite significant to Macbeths mindset who is never satisfied and believes that he always wants more.
Who says ‘O- Worthiest cousin’?
Kind Duncan.
What is some analysis of ‘O- Worthiest cousin’?
‘O-‘ extreme emotion and excitement. The use of the superlative ‘worthiest’ indicated that Duncan sees Macbeth as a perfect character who cannot be improves upon.
Who says ‘The sin of my ingratitude’?
Kind Duncan.
What is some analysis of ‘The sin of my ingratitude?’
Calling ‘ingratitude a sin is quite significant as Macbeth is punished for his crime through guild and madness later on.
