Act 1, Scene 4 – Duncan Thanks Macbeth
Duncan makes Macbeth Thane of Cawdor.
“He was a gentleman on whom I built an absolute trust”
Duncan says he misjudged the old Thane of Cawdor as there is no way to ‘find the mind’s
construction in the face’. He thinks that people may seem good and trustworthy but they
might not be. It’s ironic because he misjudges Macbeth.
“I have begun to plant thee” – Shakespeare’s Techniques
This shows that Duncan sees it as his duty to nurture people who are loyal to him.
“To make thee full of growing” – Theme: Kingship
Duncan sees Macbeth as a potential successor, suggesting that fate might make
Macbeth king without him doing anything. Duncan is represented as a strong and fair
leader as he rewards loyalty and wants Scotland to prosper. This contrasts with
Macbeth’s violent, tyrannical rule in the future.
“We establish our estate upon our elder, Malcolm”
Duncan has announced that his elder son would be next in line to the throne.
Duncan has some responsibility to his own death as he wrongly assumed that the
Thanes will accept his decisions of Malcolm becoming king. It could be argued that he
was disloyal and disrespectful to his Thanes. He underestimated Macbeth.
“Let not light see my black and deep desires” – Character: Macbeth
Macbeth seems confused as outwardly he is brave and loyal warlord but inwardly his
ambition is battling with his conscience. He wants to keep his ‘black and deep desires’
hidden, not just from himself but also from himself. It’s also similar to the way the
Witches speak – this highlights Macbeth’s evil intentions.
Duncan makes Macbeth Thane of Cawdor.
“He was a gentleman on whom I built an absolute trust”
Duncan says he misjudged the old Thane of Cawdor as there is no way to ‘find the mind’s
construction in the face’. He thinks that people may seem good and trustworthy but they
might not be. It’s ironic because he misjudges Macbeth.
“I have begun to plant thee” – Shakespeare’s Techniques
This shows that Duncan sees it as his duty to nurture people who are loyal to him.
“To make thee full of growing” – Theme: Kingship
Duncan sees Macbeth as a potential successor, suggesting that fate might make
Macbeth king without him doing anything. Duncan is represented as a strong and fair
leader as he rewards loyalty and wants Scotland to prosper. This contrasts with
Macbeth’s violent, tyrannical rule in the future.
“We establish our estate upon our elder, Malcolm”
Duncan has announced that his elder son would be next in line to the throne.
Duncan has some responsibility to his own death as he wrongly assumed that the
Thanes will accept his decisions of Malcolm becoming king. It could be argued that he
was disloyal and disrespectful to his Thanes. He underestimated Macbeth.
“Let not light see my black and deep desires” – Character: Macbeth
Macbeth seems confused as outwardly he is brave and loyal warlord but inwardly his
ambition is battling with his conscience. He wants to keep his ‘black and deep desires’
hidden, not just from himself but also from himself. It’s also similar to the way the
Witches speak – this highlights Macbeth’s evil intentions.
