Question

In this excerpt from act I, scene VI, of Macbeth, Duncan praises the atmosphere in the castle and the hospitality of his hostess. Identify two reasons that these comments are ironic.

DUNCAN:
This castle hath a pleasant seat: the air
Nimbly and sweetly recommends itself
Unto our gentle sense.

. . .

(Enter Lady Macbeth.)

DUNCAN:
See, see, our honour'd hostess!—
The love that follows us sometime is our trouble,
Which still we thank as love. Herein I teach you
How you shall bid God ild us for your pains,
And thank us for your trouble.

Answer 1

Answer:

This expression has been taken from Shakespeare's play "Macbeth.

Explanation:

• In the scene, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth invited Duncan to their home.
• The plan was to kill Duncan and make Macbeth the new King.
• Everyone knew how greedy and sharp Lady Macbeth was so when Duncan arrived, he admired the hospitality of the hostess.
• The comment was ironic because Duncan knew Lady Macbeth was a sharp lady.

Answer 2

Answer:

• Obviously above comments are ironic. Because Lady Macbeth had a brutal plan for Duncan and she wanted great warrior Macbeth to kill the king of Scotland.

• And King Duncan will be killed in next scene by obedient Macbeth himself.

Explanation:

• The given quotations have been taken from great playwright Shakespeare's 'Macbeth', Act I, Scene VI.

• The given quotations presaged that something bad will be happened soon and it was unknown to all except Lady Macbeth and Macbeth.

• Here in the scene Lady Macbeth and Macbeth invited Duncan to his castle for great hospitality but the real fact or irony was through hospitality they wanted to kill him but kind Duncan was fully unaware of it.

• Lady Macbeth always wanted to be the queen of Scotland and she always dreamed of it. She knew that her beloved husband Macbeth was able to rule the Scotland but Macbeth never wanted it. Innocent Macbeth was instigated by his greedy and proud wife and later he killed Duncan. Though Duncan admired them for their great hospitality of the hostess.