Duncan

Question 1

““There’s no art to find the mind’s construction in the face ” Duncan 1.4

Answer 1

• Spoken by Duncan in reference to the fact that he trusted the old Thane of Cawdor who betrayed him in the battle by siding with the Norwegians.
• Ironic as the next Thane of Cawdor (Macbeth) will go on to be just as deceitful
• ‘art’ meaning ‘skill’ – he is suggesting no-one has the ability to read a man’s thoughts via his face
• Shows naivety of Duncan – he is a very decent and generous monarch but far too trusting – he fails to ‘read’ the faces of those who plot against him. This is his harmatia
• intertextual link to 1.5 “look like the innocent flower” and 1.7 “false face”
• Dramatic irony- the audience knows that Macbeth is thinking of killing the King

Question 2

Duncan “o worthiest cousin. The sin of my ingratitude even now was heavy on me”

Answer 2

• “worthiest” superlative adjective conveys high regard he has of Macbeth
• Treats him like family which emphasizes the trust he has in Macbeth
• Portrays Duncan as honorable which makes the audience sympathetic towards him and ashamed towards Macbeth