ISC Class 11 English Drama Macbeth Act 1 Scene 6 Summary, Theme, Explanation along with difficult word meanings
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ISC Class 11 – Macbeth Act 1 Scene 6
By William Shakespeare
In Act I Scene 6 of Macbeth, King Duncan arrives at Macbeth’s castle and admires its pleasantness, unaware of the murder plot that is unfolding inside. He is with his sons, Malcolm and Donalbain, and other lords. Lady Macbeth welcomes them with fake kindness, hiding her true intentions. This scene creates dramatic irony, as the audience knows about the conspiracy while Duncan and his companions do not.
- Macbeth Act 1 Scene 6 Summary
- Macbeth Act 1 Scene 6 Summary in Hindi
- Macbeth Act 1 Scene 6 Theme
- Macbeth Act 1 Scene 6 Explanation
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Macbeth Act I Scene 6 Summary
This brief scene takes place just outside Macbeth’s castle at Inverness, and it is heavy with dramatic irony. King Duncan, along with his sons and several noblemen of Thanes, arrives at the castle to honor Macbeth.
Upon arrival, Duncan immediately comments on how pleasant and inviting the castle is, saying the air ‘nimbly and sweetly recommends itself / Unto our gentle senses’. Banquo supports this observation, noting that the martlet, a small bird, has built its nests all over the castle. Banquo observes that this bird, which is known for preferring clean air, is a sign that the atmosphere here is indeed ‘delicate’ and welcoming. Both men are completely unaware that within these walls, Macbeth and his wife are plotting Duncan’s murder.
Lady Macbeth then enters to greet the King. She puts on a brilliant display of humility and gratitude. Duncan thanks her for the trouble of hosting him, to which she replies that any service they could possibly offer, even if ‘twice done and then done double’, would still be too little to repay the immense honors that the King has already bestowed upon Macbeth and their family. She assures him that they consider themselves his ‘hermits’, meaning, beadsmen or servants who will pray for his well-being.
Duncan asks where the Thane of Cawdor, i.e. Macbeth is joking that Macbeth’s ‘great love’ for the King must have given him the speed to ride home ahead of the royal party. Lady Macbeth maintains her respectable tone, asserting that all of their possessions and even their lives belong to the King, ready to be accounted for at his pleasure. Finally, Duncan takes her hand and asks her to conduct him to his host, Macbeth, reaffirming his deep love and commitment to showing continued favor toward Thane. The King then enters the castle, sealed by the audience’s knowledge of the bloody plan awaiting him inside.
Summary of Macbeth Act I Scene 6 in Hindi
यह संक्षिप्त दृश्य इनवर्नेस में मैकबेथ के महल के ठीक बाहर होता है, और यह नाटकीय विडंबना के साथ भारी है। राजा डंकन, अपने बेटों और कई थानों (रईसों) के साथ मैकबेथ को सम्मानित करने के लिए महल में आते हैं।
आगमन पर, डंकन तुरंत टिप्पणी करता है कि महल कितना सुखद और आमंत्रित करने वाला है, यह कहते हुए कि हवा ‘फुर्तीली और मधुर रूप से खुद को/हमारी कोमल इंद्रियों के लिए अनुशंसा करती है’। बैंको इस अवलोकन का समर्थन करता है, यह देखते हुए कि एक छोटे पक्षी, मार्टलेट ने पूरे महल में अपने घोंसले बनाए हैं। बैंको का मानना है कि यह पक्षी, जो स्वच्छ हवा को पसंद करने के लिए जाना जाता है, इस बात का संकेत है कि यहाँ का वातावरण वास्तव में ‘नाजुक’ और स्वागत योग्य है। दोनों लोग पूरी तरह से अनजान हैं कि इन दीवारों के भीतर, मैकबेथ और उसकी पत्नी डंकन की हत्या की साजिश रच रहे हैं।
लेडी मैकबेथ तब राजा का अभिवादन करने के लिए प्रवेश करती हैं। वह विनम्रता और कृतज्ञता का शानदार प्रदर्शन करती है। डंकन उसकी मेजबानी करने की परेशानी के लिए उसे धन्यवाद देती है, जिस पर वह जवाब देती है कि वे संभवतः कोई भी सेवा प्रदान कर सकते हैं, भले ही ‘दो बार किया जाए और फिर दोगुना किया जाए’, फिर भी राजा द्वारा मैकबेथ और उनके परिवार को दिए गए अपार सम्मान को चुकाने के लिए बहुत कम होगा। वह उसे आश्वासन देती है कि वे खुद को उसके ‘संन्यासी’ मानते हैं, जिसका अर्थ है, मोती वाले या सेवक जो उसकी भलाई के लिए प्रार्थना करेंगे।
डंकन पूछता है कि कावडोर का ठाणे, i.e. मैकबेथ मजाक में कहता है कि राजा के लिए मैकबेथ के ‘महान प्रेम’ ने उसे शाही पार्टी से पहले घर की सवारी करने की गति दी होगी। लेडी मैकबेथ अपने सम्मानजनक लहजे को बनाए रखती हैं, इस बात पर जोर देती हैं कि उनकी सारी संपत्ति और यहां तक कि उनके जीवन भी राजा के हैं, जो उनकी खुशी पर हिसाब देने के लिए तैयार हैं। अंत में, डंकन उसका हाथ पकड़ता है और उसे अपने मेजबान मैकबेथ के पास ले जाने के लिए कहता है, जो ठाणे के प्रति अपने गहरे प्यार और निरंतर अनुग्रह दिखाने की प्रतिबद्धता की पुष्टि करता है। राजा तब महल में प्रवेश करता है, दर्शकों की जानकारी से सील कर दिया जाता है कि अंदर उसकी प्रतीक्षा कर रही खूनी योजना है।
Theme of Macbeth Act I Scene 6
Dramatic Irony and Deception
The most prominent theme in Act I Scene 6 is dramatic irony. This occurs when the audience knows something the characters on stage do not. King Duncan and his attendants arrive at Macbeth’s castle, commenting on how pleasant the location is. Duncan says the air ‘sweetly recommends itself’ to their senses, and Banquo notes how the peaceful swallows have made their nests there, suggesting the air is ‘delicate’. The irony is that the audience knows this seemingly welcoming and peaceful house is actually a trap, and Duncan’s trusting nature will lead directly to his murder within its walls.
Appearance vs. Reality
This scene sharply contrasts what appears to be true with the sinister reality. Lady Macbeth plays the role of the perfect, gracious hostess, using exaggerated language to express her loyalty and gratitude to the King. She assures Duncan that all their service is ‘poor and single business’ compared to the honors he has given them. Her words are full of hospitality and humility, successfully concealing the murderous plot she and Macbeth are planning. For Duncan, the castle and its hostess represent peace and welcome; in reality, they represent betrayal and death.
Trust and Betrayal
The scene establishes King Duncan as a figure of complete trust and generosity. He is deeply fond of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, referring to her as his ‘honored hostess’ and expressing his great love for the Thane of Cawdor. His kindness is evident when he says, ‘The love that follows us sometime is our trouble, / Which still we thank as love’. This trust makes the impending betrayal all the more monstrous. Duncan is literally placing himself entirely in the hands of the people who are about to murder him for his crown, highlighting the depth of Macbeth’s wicked ambition.
Setting of the Scene
Act I Scene 6 takes place outside Macbeth’s castle at Inverness. The play describes the setting as being ready for a royal visit, with ‘flutes and torches’ indicating an evening arrival and a celebratory atmosphere. The immediate setting is crucial because it creates a powerful feeling of dramatic irony. When King Duncan and his party arrive, they immediately praise the pleasantness and delicateness of the location. Duncan says the air ‘Nimbly and sweetly recommends itself’. Banquo reinforces this by noting that the ‘temple-haunting martlet’, a type of swift or swallow who has built its nests all over the castle, is a sign of safe and clean air. The physical setting itself is presented as a beautiful, welcoming, and secure place, which sharply contrasts with the evil plot brewing inside. Duncan views it as a place of rest and hospitality, a perception that emphasizes his complete trust in Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. The setting, therefore, acts as a deceptive facade for the murderous intent that lies just behind the castle walls, making Duncan’s fate even more tragic for the audience, who know the truth.
Macbeth Act I Scene 6 Explanation
Setting: Duncan, along with his sons, arrives at Macbeth’s castle at Inverness. Lady Macbeth gives them a cordial welcome. The King finds the castle very pleasant. Lady Macbeth assures the King of the loyalty of Macbeth and of herself. She shows her gratitude to Duncan for having paid her a visit. He graciously accepts her greetings. On the whole the scene is ironical. The King finds a pleasant atmosphere in the castle; but he fails to recognise the treachery behind the pleasant atmosphere.
Word Meanings
Cordial: Warm, friendly, and sincere.
Pleasant: Enjoyable, attractive, or agreeable; giving a sense of happiness or satisfaction.
Assures: Tells someone something positively to dispel any doubts; guarantees.
Loyalty: The quality of being faithful and devoted to a person
Gratitude: The quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.
Graciously: In a kind, courteous, and benevolent way.
Ironical: Characterized by dramatic irony, where the audience knows something the characters do not.
Treachery: Betrayal of trust; deceptive action or nature.
Fails to recognise: Does not perceive or realize.
Explanation of the above setting of the scene—King Duncan and his sons, Malcolm and Donalbain, arrive at Macbeth’s castle in Inverness. Lady Macbeth greets them warmly, acting as the perfect hostess. Duncan finds the castle’s setting and atmosphere to be very appealing and peaceful. In response, Lady Macbeth reassures the King of the absolute loyalty of both herself and her husband, thanking him profusely for the honor of his visit. Duncan kindly accepts her welcome and gestures of goodwill. Overall, the scene is heavily ironic: the King perceives a beautiful and welcoming atmosphere, completely missing the deadly treachery and deceit that lie hidden beneath Lady Macbeth’s polite facade.
Play
Scene 6. Before Macbeth’s castle. Hautboys. Servants of Macbeth torches.
Enter Duncan, Malcolm, Donalbain, Banquo, Lennox, Macduff, Ross, Angus, and Attendants
Duncan
This castle hath a pleasant seat; the air
Nimbly and sweetly recommends itself
Unto our gentle senses.
Banquo
This guest of summer,
The temple-haunting martlet, does approve,
By his loved mansionry, that the heavens’ breath
Smells wooingly here: no jutty, frieze,
Buttress, nor coign of vantage, but this bird
Hath made his pendent bed and procreant cradle:
Where they most breed and haunt, I have observed
The air is delicate.
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.
Word Meanings
Hautboys: Wooden musical instruments.
Seat: Location or setting
Nimbly and sweetly: with a fresh fragrance.
Gentle senses: Sensitive or refined senses (sight, smell, etc.)
Martlet: A small bird, specifically the house martin or swift (a type of swallow).
Approve: Prove or confirm.
Mansionry: The nest-building of the martlet.
Wooingly: Temptingly or invitingly (like a courtship).
Jutty: Any projecting part of a building.
Frieze: A decorative band or horizontal sculpture just below a cornice.
Buttress: projection from the wall.
coign of vantage: convenient corner for making the nest.
pendent bed: hanging bed.
procreant cradle: the nest where it lays its eggs.
haunt: visit often.
God ‘ild us: God reward us;
pains: trouble
Explanation of the above dialogues— King Duncan, along with his entourage, arrives at Macbeth’s castle and immediately remarks on how beautifully situated the fortress is, noting that the air is so pleasing it naturally appeals to his senses. Banquo agrees, pointing out a small nesting bird, the martlet, a type of swallow, which often builds its nests on churches and temples. He explains that this bird’s choice of nesting site, clinging to every ledge, corner, and projection of the castle, is proof that the air smells invitingly and is perfectly clean and fresh here. Lady Macbeth then enters, and Duncan greets her as their ‘honored hostess.’ Duncan explains that sometimes the great effort and expense involved in showing love and hospitality to royalty can be an inconvenience, but that he always accepts it gratefully. He is essentially telling her that the proper way for her to thank him is to ask God to reward him for causing her this trouble. The central theme is the fatal contrast between appearance and reality. The King’s words of welcome and praise for the ‘honour’d hostess’ are deeply ironic and tragic. This deception highlights Duncan’s trusting naivety and Lady Macbeth’s consummate skill in masking her true, evil intent. Shakespeare has cleverly used imagery of nature to underscore the irony. The martlet, the ‘guest of summer,’ symbolizes nature’s approval of the dwelling, suggesting security and life. This is precisely where King’s life will be taken in the most unnatural way. The very architecture of the castle, which Banquo sees as a safe nesting place, will soon become the scene of a King’s murder.
Play
Lady Macbeth
All our service,
In every point twice done, and then done double,
Were poor and single business to contend
Against those honours deep and broad wherewith
Your majesty loads our house: for those of old,
And the late dignities heap’d up to them,
We rest your hermits.
Duncan
Where’s the thane of Cawdor?
We coursed him at the heels, and had a purpose
To be his purveyor: but he rides well
And his great love, sharp as his spur, hath hold him
To his home before us. Fair and noble hostess,
We are your guest to-night.
Lady Macbeth
Your servants ever
Have theirs, themselves, and what is theirs, in compt,
To make their audit at your highness’ pleasure,
Still to return your own.
Duncan
Give me your hand;
Conduct me to mine host: we love him highly,
And shall continue our graces towards him.
By your leave, hostess.
[Exeunt
Word Meanings
twice done… double: multiplied four times.
single: weak
to contend: to match with.
Your majesty… house: The king has bestowed the family with rich honours.
those of old: of days gone by.
Dignities: High ranks or honors
Heap’d up: Added upon; accumulated
Hermits: Used here as ‘beadsmen’ or dependents; people who are obligated to pray constantly for the soul of their patron or benefactor in return for kindness received.
Coursed him at the heels: Followed him closely, as in a chase.
Purveyor: An officer sent in advance to procure provisions and prepare for a royal visit.
hold him: help him.
In compt: Held for accounting; meaning subject to the King’s reckoning or audit.
Audit: An official examination or review here, of their possessions and service.
Graces: Favors
Explanation of the above dialogues— Lady Macbeth begins by assuring King Duncan that any effort she and Macbeth could make, even if they did everything twice and then doubled it, would be a meager and insignificant expression of thanks when compared to the vast and profound honors he has bestowed upon their family, both in the past and recently referencing Macbeth’s new title, Thane of Cawdor. She concludes by saying that because of his generosity, they consider themselves his hermits, eternally obligated to pray for him. Duncan shifts the topic, asking where Macbeth, the Thane of Cawdor, is. He explains that they followed close behind him, intending to send an advance agent, ‘purveyor’, to prepare for their arrival, but Macbeth rode so quickly, driven by what Duncan perceives as his intense love and duty, that he arrived home first. Duncan then addresses Lady Macbeth as his ‘Fair and noble hostess’ and states they are her guests for the night. Lady Macbeth replies by insisting that all their possessions, their very selves, and everything they own are held purely as a loan, ready to be counted and returned to the King, their rightful owner, at his pleasure. Duncan accepts her hand and requests that she guide him to Macbeth, his host, reaffirming that he holds Macbeth in high esteem and will continue to show him favor. The scene then ends as they exit. Lady Macbeth’s language is saturated with hypocrisy and over-the-top submissiveness. The scene contrasts Duncan’s images of love, honor, and delicate air with the audience’s knowledge of the flutes and torches preceding a violent plot. It juxtaposes the sacred image of the ‘temple-haunting martlet’, representing peace and safety with the impious act about to be committed in the same place.
Conclusion
In Act I Scene 6 of Macbeth, King Duncan arrives at Macbeth’s castle and admires its pleasantness, unaware of the murder plot that is unfolding inside. He is with his sons, Malcolm and Donalbain, and other lords. Lady Macbeth welcomes them with fake kindness, hiding her true intentions. This scene creates dramatic irony, as the audience knows about the conspiracy while Duncan and his companions do not. Students can take help from this post to understand Act 1, Scene 5 and also learn the difficult word meanings to get a better grasp of Macbeth. This post includes a summary of Macbeth, which will help students of ISC class 11, to get a quick recap of the play.