Macbeth - Act I, Scene VI

(Macbeth - Act I, Scene VI. Questions taken from the Indispensable Work-Book on Macbeth published by National Publishing House.For ISC schools, class XI. If you have a query on these answers please use the comment tab below.Please leave your mail id if you need a personal response. Else,the response will be as a post on the blog.)

Q1.Where is Banquo and why is he there?
Banquo is outside Macbeth's castle in Inverness. He is there at the invitiation of Macbeth. King Duncan and Banquo plan to spend the night at Macbeth's castle in Inverness. This is to celebrate the victories of Macbeth and Banquo over the enemy forces.

Q2.What bird is he referring to and what is its special quality?
Banquo is referring to the Hunting Martlet. The special quality of the Hunting Martlet is that the atmosphere is very pleasant where ever the bird makes its home.

Q3.Explain the line, " The love that follows us sometimes is our trouble".
This means that the subjects of king Duncan love him so much they cause him some trouble. For example, in this case, in honour Macbeth he decided to spend a night in Macbeths castle in Inverness. This is trouble for king Duncan since he had to travel a long distance to get to Macbeth's castle.However, as king Duncan says, this kind of trouble is what he accepts with gratitude and prayer.

Q4.What is Duncan trying to teach his hostess?
Duncan is trying to teach the hostess that which his visit will cause some trouble to the the Macbeth's - this is the type of trouble they should accept with gratitude. Duncan says he too accepts such trouble with gratitude and prayer.

Q5.Comment on Duncan's use of the phase'our honour'd hostess.
King Duncan uses the phase 'our honour'd hostess as a mark of respect for Lady Macbeth. He shows this respect to Lady Macbeth on account of the significant services rendered by Macbeth to safeguard the kingdom of king Duncan.

Q1. Bring out the dramatic irony revealed in the scene.
The scene has dramatic irony. King Duncan and Banquo reach the castle of Macbeth in Inverness. King Duncan decides to spend a night at this castle to honour Macbeth. At the castle, they find the atmosphere very pleasant. Banquo even comments that the presence of the Hunting Martlet is a sign of the place being pleasant. The hostess for the evening, Lady Macbeth is so reverent and subservient towards king Duncan. It appears to be just the perfect setting for the evening to celebrate the victory of Macbeth and Banquo. The setting is very calm and serene. However, the irony of the situation is that while the setting appears peaceful, Lady Macbeth and Macbeth are plotting to kill king Duncan and Banquo the same evening after they retire at night.The atmosphere is serene but the minds of Lady Macbeth and Macbeth in in great turmoil.They are busy plotting the killing. Therefore, there is only a deceptive calm in the setting.