Act 1 Scene 4


Scene Summary 


Duncan warmly receives Macbeth and Banquo.  Duncan names his son, Malcolm, as heir to the throne.  Macbeth sees Malcolm as an obstacle to his ambition to be King.


 Duncan honours Macbeth by announcing a visit to Macbeth’s castle at Inverness.  Macbeth says he will ride ahead and tell his wife about Duncan’s visit.


Forres. The Palace. Flourish. Enter DUNCAN, MALCOLM, DONALBAIN, LENNOX, and Attendants


DUNCAN Is execution done on Cawdor? Are not Those in commission1


yet returned? MALCOLM My liege,2 10


They are not yet come back. But I have spoke With one that saw him die: who did report That very frankly he confessed his treasons, Implored your Highness' pardon and set forth A deep repentance. Nothing in his life Became him like the leaving it; he died As one that had been studied in his death,3 To throw away the dearest thing he owed, As 'twere a careless trifle.4


DUNCAN There's no art


To find the mind's construction in the face:5 He was a gentleman on whom I built An absolute trust. [Enter MACBETH, BANQUO, ROSS, and ANGUS] O worthiest cousin!


The sin of my ingratitude even now Was heavy on me: thou art so far before That swiftest wing of recompense is slow To overtake thee.6


20


That the proportion both of thanks and payment Might have been mine!7


More is thy due than more than all can pay.


Would thou hadst less deserved, Only I have left to say,


5


There’s no art /To find the mind’s construction in the face: Nobody can know another’s mind simply by looking at the face.


2 liege: lord 1


Those in commission: those sent to execute the former Thane of Cawdor


3


he died / As one that had been studied in his death: He died like somebody who had rehearsed the moment of his death.


4 trifle: something valueless


6


thou art so far…overtake thee: Your achievements are so great that no reward can be given quickly enough.


7


Would thou hadst…been mine: I wish you deserved less so that I could reward you in proportion to your achievements.


19


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