See, see! our honoured hostess!
The love that follows us sometime is our trouble,
Which still we thank as love.
(1.6.11-13)
Notes:
This is a very difficult passage because Duncan is being ridiculously excessive in thanking Lady Macbeth for playing hostess.
To paraphrase Duncan: "Look! Our honoured hostess! Although the great attention paid to me by my loyal subjects can be tiresome (is our trouble), I really do appreciate it. So, I hope you can pray (bid) that God rewards me (God 'ild us), for taking up so much of your time, as I pray for my subjects, who take up my time."
Note that Duncan is using the royal we, but he speaks of himself in the passage.
How to cite this article:
Mabillard, Amanda. Macbeth Glossary. Shakespeare Online. 20 Aug. 2000. (date when you accessed the information) < http://www.shakespeare-online.com/plays/macbeth/macbethglossary/macbeth1_1/macbethglos_hostess.html >.
