ISC Class 11 English Drama Macbeth Act 1 Scene 6 Important Question Answers
Macbeth Act 1 Scene 6 Question Answer: Looking for ISC Class 11 English Drama Macbeth Act 1 Scene 6 question answers? Look no further! Our comprehensive compilation of important questions will help you brush up on your subject knowledge. Practising ISC Class 11 English question answers can significantly improve your performance in the exam. Our solutions provide a clear idea of how to write the answers effectively. Improve your chances of scoring high marks by exploring Macbeth Act 1 Scene 6 now. The questions listed below are based on the latest ICSE exam pattern.
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ISC Class 11 English Drama Macbeth Act 1 Scene 6 Textbook Questions
ASSIGNMENT
Question 1
Choose the correct options for the following questions:
1. Which castle is referred to in the first line of this scene?
(a) Banquo’s castle
(b) Macbeth’s castle
(c) Macduff’s castle
(d) Duncan’s castle
Ans. (b) Macbeth’s castle
2. Who is described in this scene as the guest of summer?
(a) King Duncan
(b) Banquo
(c) Martlet
(d) All of the above.
Ans. (c) Martlet
3. In this scene Lady Macbeth welcomes Duncan, which of the following provides an instance of Shakespearean irony?
(a) castle has a pleasant seat
(b) our honoured hostess
(c) fair and noble hostess
(d) All of the above
Ans. (d) All of the above
4. Which literary device is used in the sentence given below? This castle hath a pleasant seat.
(a) Irony
(b) Parallelism
(c) Juxtaposition
(d) Simile
Ans. (a) Irony
5. Which figure of speech is used in the phrase “smells wooingly here”?
(a) Simile
(b) Olfactory imagery
(c) Personification
(d) Metaphor
Ans. (c) Personification
6. Whose loved mansionry’ is referred to by Banquo in this scene?
(a) Macbeth’s
(b) Duncan’s
(c) Witches
(d) the martlet’s
Ans. (d) the martlet’s
7. Why did Duncan ask Lady Macbeth where was the Thane of Cawdor?
(a) He did not accompany them
(b) He started before them
(c) He should have reached before them
(d) All of the above
Ans. (b) He started before them
8. Duncan tells Lady Macbeth to ‘conduct me to mine host’. Who is the host’ referred to by him?
(a) Banquo
(b) Macduff
(c) Macbeth
(d) None of the above
Ans. (c) Macbeth
9. What does Duncan say he would do for Macbeth?
(a) He would continue to be gracious to him
(b) He would bestow new titles on him
(c) He would soon be declared as the new king
(d) None of the above.
Ans. (a) He would continue to be gracious to him
10. Which theme of the play is reflected in this scene of the play?
(a) Dynastic Succession
(b) Supernatural Intervention
(c) Appearances can be deceptive
(d) None of the above.
Ans. (c) Appearances can be deceptive
Question 2
Complete the following sentences by providing a reason for each:
1. Lady Macbeth appears as a perfect hostess in this scene because ________________________________.
Ans. Lady Macbeth appears as a perfect hostess in this scene because she uses exaggerated, humble rhetoric to express overwhelming gratitude for Duncan’s honors, masking the treachery she and Macbeth are planning.
2. King Duncan finds a noble hostess in Lady Macbeth because ________________________________.
Ans. King Duncan finds a noble hostess in Lady Macbeth because he interprets her excessive praise and submissive manner as sincere ‘love’ and devoted service to the Crown.
3. The martlet chose Macbeth’s castle and made it her favourite home because ________________________________.
Ans. The martlet chose Macbeth’s castle and made it her favourite home because Banquo states that the castle’s situation is so pleasant and the air so ‘delicate’ that the bird chooses it for its nest.
4. Lady Macbeth appears ‘like an innocent flower’ with her hospitality but is ‘serpent under’t’ because________________________________.
Ans. Lady Macbeth appears ‘like an innocent flower’ with her hospitality but is ‘serpent under’t’ because she is acting kindly and respectfully towards Duncan while fully intending to betray him and oversee his murder that very night.
ISC Class 11 English Drama Macbeth Act 1 Scene 6 Extra Question and Answers
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Q1. Where does this scene take place?
A. The battlefield outside the castle.
B. Before Macbeth’s castle
C. The royal court in Forres
D. A public road in the countryside
Ans. B. Before Macbeth’s castle
Q2. Who first says that the castle ‘hath a pleasant seat’ and that the air ‘Nimbly and sweetly recommends itself’?
A. Banquo
B. Lady Macbeth
C. Duncan
D. Macduff
Ans. C. Duncan
Q3. What bird, described as the ‘guest of summer,’ does Banquo point out as proof that the air is ‘delicate’ and clean?
A. The raven
B. The swallow
C. The martlet
D. The falcon
Ans. C. The martlet
Q4. Who enters immediately after Banquo finishes describing the pleasant environment of the castle?
A. Macbeth
B. Malcolm
C. Lady Macbeth
D. Ross and Angus
Ans. C. Lady Macbeth
Q5. When Lady Macbeth enters, what is the first title Duncan uses to address her?
A. Fair and noble hostess
B. Honored hostess
C. Sweet Lady
D. Dear cousin
Ans. B. Honored hostess
Q6. What does Duncan admit his ‘love that follows us’ sometimes turns into for the host?
A. A financial strain
B. A political problem
C. Our trouble
D. A great joy
Ans. C. Our trouble
Q7. Lady Macbeth uses exaggerated language to say her service is ‘twice done and then done double,’ suggesting it is still insufficient compared to what?
A. Macbeth’s recent battle honors
B. The King’s deep and broad honors given to their house
C. The past generosity of previous kings
D. The beauty of the castle
Ans. B. The King’s deep and broad honors given to their house
Q8. Why does Duncan say Macbeth arrived at the castle before the royal party?
A. He knew a secret shortcut through the woods.
B. He wanted to be a ‘purveyor’ and prepare the food.
C. His ‘great love, sharp as his spur,’ helped him hurry home.
D. He feared the King would be upset if he was late
Ans. C. His ‘great love, sharp as his spur,’ helped him hurry home.
Q9. Lady Macbeth says that for the honors Duncan has given them, she and Macbeth ‘rest your hermits’. What does this mean?
A. They will live a solitary life in gratitude.
B. They will constantly pray for him as their benefactor.
C. They are simple, quiet people.
D. They will soon retire from public life.
Ans. B. They will constantly pray for him as their benefactor.
Q10. What is Duncan’s final request to Lady Macbeth in this scene?
A. To call for Macbeth immediately.
B. To show him to the dining hall.
C. To give him her hand and conduct him to her host.
D. To bring him a cup of wine.
Ans. C. To give him her hand and conduct him to her host.
Fill Up Sentences
Complete the following sentences by providing a reason for each:
1. Duncan says the air at the castle is pleasant because________________________________.
Ans. Duncan says the air at the castle is pleasant because it ‘nimbly and sweetly recommends itself’ to his senses.
2. Banquo notes that the gentle bird, the martlet, builds its nest there because________________________________.
Ans. Banquo notes that the gentle bird, the martlet, builds its nest there because it approves of the castle’s situation and ‘delicate’ air.
3. Duncan calls Lady Macbeth ‘our honored hostess’ because________________________________.
Ans. Duncan calls Lady Macbeth ‘our honored hostess’ because he is expressing his high regard for her and her hospitality.
4. Duncan acknowledges that his presence is ‘trouble’ because________________________________.
Ans. Duncan acknowledges that his presence is ‘trouble’ because it requires a great deal of effort and preparation from the hosts.
5. Lady Macbeth offers service that is ‘twice done and then done double’ because________________________________.
Ans. Lady Macbeth offers service that is ‘twice done and then done double’ because she is using excessive flattery to mask her real, deadly intentions.
6. Lady Macbeth claims they ‘rest your hermits’ because________________________________.
Ans. Lady Macbeth claims they ‘rest your hermits’ because she is metaphorically expressing that they are devoted to praying for him in return for his generous honors.
7. Duncan arrived late because________________________________.
Ans. Duncan arrived late because he had initially intended to act as his own ‘purveyor’ (advance agent).
8. Macbeth managed to arrive before the King because________________________________.
Ans. Macbeth managed to arrive before the King because his ‘great love, sharp as his spur,’ hastened his journey home.
9. Duncan promises to continue his graces toward Macbeth because________________________________.
Ans. Duncan promises to continue his graces toward Macbeth because he loves him highly for his service and loyalty.
10. Duncan asks Lady Macbeth for her hand to guide him because________________________________.
Ans. Duncan asks Lady Macbeth for her hand to guide him because he wants her to ‘conduct me to mine host’ i.e. Macbeth immediately.
Extra Questions
SHORT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Q1. Where does this scene take place, and what mood does King Duncan set upon arriving?
Ans. This scene takes place outside Macbeth’s castle at Inverness. When King Duncan arrives, he immediately sets a mood of peace, security, and goodwill. He praises the castle’s ‘pleasant seat’ and the air that ‘sweetly recommends itself’. He is utterly relaxed and grateful, believing he is safe among loyal friends. His observations about the gentle air and the nesting martlets, a type of swallow, highlight the apparent tranquility of the place. This cheerful, unsuspecting mood is a crucial dramatic device, as the audience knows that behind this pleasant exterior, a dark and bloody plot i.e. Duncan’s murder is about to unfold.
Q2. What specific observation does Banquo make about the castle, and what is its dramatic significance?
Ans. Banquo observes the swallows nesting all over the castle, specifically noting how they build their ‘pendent bed and procreant cradle’ in every accessible nook and cranny. He says that the presence of these birds, which favor a clean environment, proves the air is ‘delicate’ and the place is welcoming. The dramatic significance of this is the heavy use of dramatic irony. To Banquo, the nesting birds symbolize a natural, safe, and hospitable dwelling. However, to the audience, the birds’ choice of a spot where a king is about to be murdered underscores the terrible, unnatural act of violence that will immediately violate the supposed peace and hospitality.
Q3. How does King Duncan greet Lady Macbeth, and what does he say about the ‘trouble’ they are taking for him?
Ans. King Duncan greets Lady Macbeth with immense respect and affection, calling her his ‘honored hostess’. He is grateful in his thanks for her family’s hospitality. He acknowledges that the generous effort, ‘love that follows us sometime is our trouble’, they take in hosting him is burdensome, but he insists that he still values it as a true sign of their love. He says that the honor of his presence should be enough thanks ‘bid God ‘ild us for your pains’. This greeting shows Duncan’s naive trust and deep gratitude towards the Macbeths, making his vulnerability and Lady Macbeth’s impending betrayal even more shocking to the audience.
Q4. How does Lady Macbeth respond to Duncan’s praise, and what does her response truly conceal?
Ans. Lady Macbeth’s response is one of extreme and humble subservience. She assures Duncan that even if they did all their services ‘twice done and then done double’, it would still be a ‘poor and single business’ compared to the overwhelming ‘honors deep and broad’ he has already given their house. She claims they are his ‘hermits’ i.e. servants or people dedicated to praying for him and that all their possessions are merely held in trust for him. Her excessive humility and flattery serve to conceal her murderous intentions. She masterfully uses respectful language to mask the deep treachery she and Macbeth are planning, presenting the perfect image of a loyal and overwhelmed hostess.
Q5. What is the main example of dramatic irony in this scene?
Ans. The main example of dramatic irony is the stark contrast between what Duncan and Banquo believe about the castle and what the audience knows. Duncan sees the castle as a beautiful, welcoming, and safe retreat, a place of honor and friendship. He feels completely secure under the care of his ‘noble hostess’. However, the audience is fully aware from the previous scenes that the Macbeths have already plotted to brutally murder Duncan that very night in his sleep. Every line of praise for the castle’s sweetness and the hostess’s loyalty is steeped in irony, transforming a scene of welcoming into a chilling prelude to the King’s murder.
LONG QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Q1. How does the setting and the dialogue in Act 1, Scene 6 create a powerful sense of dramatic irony? Explain the contrast between what Duncan and Banquo observe and what the audience knows is about to happen.
Ans. Dramatic irony is a key element in this short scene, as it relies on the audience knowing a terrifying truth that the characters on stage do not. When King Duncan and Banquo first arrive at Macbeth’s castle, they speak only of its pleasantness and peace. Duncan says the air ‘Nimbly and sweetly recommends itself / Unto our gentle senses’, meaning the castle feels welcoming. Banquo’s speech about the ‘temple-haunting martlet’, a type of swift or swallow is the most ironic, as he uses the bird’s choice of building its nest there as proof of the castle’s pure and ‘delicate’ air. These birds only nest in safe, clean places, suggesting Macbeth’s home is a sanctuary. However, the audience knows that behind this cheerful facade, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are finalizing plans for Duncan’s brutal murder. This contrast between the king’s happy, trusting comments and the audience’s knowledge of the bloody plot builds incredible tension. Duncan views the place as a safe haven of hospitality, but we know it’s a death trap. This dramatic irony makes Duncan’s trust heartbreaking and heightens the sense of impending tragedy.
Q2. Analyze Lady Macbeth’s behavior and use of language when she greets King Duncan. How effectively does she use her words to conceal her true, murderous intentions?
Ans. Lady Macbeth is an absolute master of deception in this scene. She employs over-the-top courtesy and humility to completely mask her murderous plot. When Duncan thanks her for her trouble, she immediately downplays all the effort, stating that all their service, ‘twice done and then done double’, would still be ‘poor and single business’ compared to the great ‘honors’ Duncan has bestowed upon their house. She uses the metaphor of being his ‘hermits’, meaning people who pray for him and owe him everything, suggesting their family is completely devoted to the king and that they can never repay him. Furthermore, when Duncan calls her his ‘Fair and noble hostess’, she promises that all her family owns including herself, her servants, and their possessions, is held ‘in count’ and is ready to be audited and returned to the King, their true owner. Her language is so humble, flattering, and submissive that it makes Duncan feel completely safe and valued. This extreme politeness and false gratitude is the perfect cover for her evil intentions, convincing Duncan entirely of her loyalty and genuine hospitality.
Q3. How does this scene set up the core thematic conflict between hospitality and betrayal? What expectations does Duncan have, and how do Macbeth and Lady Macbeth violate them?
Ans. Act 1, Scene 6 centers on the sacred duties of a host, which Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are planning to violently violate. In Shakespeare’s time, and within the play’s context, offering hospitality to a guest, especially a king, was a solemn, almost holy obligation. A host was expected to protect their guest with their life. Duncan, being both a King and a kinsman, arrives at the castle with the utmost trust and expectation of safety. He even jokes that the trouble he causes his hosts is a kind of love, which they will be rewarded for. Lady Macbeth plays the role of the perfect, gracious hostess, reinforcing this expectation of complete devotion and safety. The betrayal is so great precisely because it takes place under the roof where Duncan should be safest. Instead of being his shield, Macbeth is planning to be his attacker, turning the very symbol of home, the castle, into a place of brutal murder. This violation of the host-guest bond makes the crime not just political but profoundly moral and unnatural, emphasizing the depravity of Macbeth’s coming act.
Q4. What impression of King Duncan’s character do we get from his speeches and interactions in this scene? Why does this particular characterization make his impending fate even more tragic?
Ans. King Duncan is immediately presented as a kind, trusting, and gentle ruler. His first lines praise the castle’s beautiful atmosphere, showing he is a man who appreciates nature and comfort, ‘This castle hath a pleasant seat; the air / Nimbly and sweetly recommends itself…’. He is also generous and affectionate toward his hosts. He refers to Lady Macbeth as his ‘honored hostess’ and is full of praise for Macbeth, stating that Macbeth’s ‘great love, sharp as his spur’, caused him to ride ahead. Duncan is clearly a king who rules by benevolence and gratitude, not by fear. He believes that the love he shows his subjects will be returned as loyalty. This trusting nature is exactly what makes his fate so tragic. He is a good, peaceful king who is completely unprepared for treachery because he believes the best in people. His tragic flaw, ironically, is his excessive goodness and faith, which Macbeth and Lady Macbeth take advantage of. He dies not because he is a cruel tyrant, but because he is a generous, unsuspecting man.
Q5. Explain the significance of Banquo’s speech about the ‘martlet’. In what way does this observation unintentionally foreshadow the true nature of the castle and the coming violence?
Ans. Banquo’s speech about the ‘temple-haunting martlet’ is rich with unintended foreshadowing, although it serves primarily as a source of dramatic irony. Banquo points out the small bird, noting that it has built its nest in every available crevice of the castle. He reasons that the bird’s instinct, its natural love for a safe, pure habitat proves that the ‘air is delicate’ and the castle is a perfect, peaceful dwelling. The word ‘temple-haunting’ even gives the location a sense of sanctity or holiness. However, the audience knows the peacefulness is an illusion. The martlet, symbolizing natural harmony and innocence, has chosen a home that is about to be stained by a terrible, unnatural crime. The presence of the martlets, which approve the location’s beauty, will be immediately contradicted by the horrors of the murder. This contrast subtly suggests that the natural order is about to be violated within those very walls, as a place praised for being ‘delicate’ will soon become a scene of brutal violence, making the image of the trusting little bird even more poignant.