Question

Using these lines from Act II, explain the relationship between Macbeth's words and the words of Duncan's sons.

Answer 1

Macbeth

Had I but died an hour before this chance,
I had liv'd a blessed time; for, from this instant
There's nothing serious in mortality:
All is but toys: renown and grace is dead;
The wine of life is drawn, and the mere lees
Is left this vault to brag of.

Macbeth tells people of his sorrow, and that he is so sorry for his actions. He claims to have murdered those servants (who he framed for Duncan's murder) in rage over Duncan's death. His words are entirely false and constructed, but show empathy for those close to Duncan and grief of his own.

Malcolm

What will you do? Let's not consort with them:
To show an unfelt sorrow is an office
Which the false man does easy. I'll to England.

In contrast to Macbeth, Malcom says that he doesn't feel sorry. He tells Donalbain that they should not spend time speaking to the associates of the king about their feelings of grief. He feels that showing sadness and sympathy because one feels obligated will be easily seen through by people. They should keep their distance, for now.

Donalbain

To Ireland, I; our separated fortune
Shall keep us both the safer: where we are,
There's daggers in men's smiles: the near in blood,

Similar to his brother, he is focused on the game plan. He thinks they should go separate ways to protect themselves—his brother and him are left the throne, and should not put themselves at risk to share their father's fate. He decides that being apart from his brother, ruling different parts of the Kingdom, will protect them.

Answer: The relationship between Macbeth's words and that of Duncan's sons is that Macbeth fakes his sadness about Duncan's death, where his sons do not, they simply go on with business, preparing to take their father's place. Though Macbeth lies, performing as a man who feels great sorrow, and Duncan's sons choose to do the opposite, and allow their actions to be perceived as silent grief, they have something in common—none of those men feel the sad about Duncan's death, for they have all gained something great from it.

Hope this helps!