Duncan

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Extended Character Analysis

Duncan is the King of Scotland. He is characterized as a fair and wise king who is generous with his kinsmen and just with his people. Duncan awards Macbeth the title of Thane of Cawdor as a reward for his bravery in the battle against the King of Norway. However, despite the king’s virtues, the Macbeths murder Duncan in his sleep, sending Scotland into a spiral of chaos and disorder. 

Duncan is portrayed as a fatherly figure, and Lady Macbeth remarks that he looked too much like her father for her to go through with killing him herself. When addressing Macbeth and Banquo after the battle against the traitorous Thane of Cawdor, he employs plant metaphors that symbolize his desire to cultivate loyal and worthy subjects. This diction serves to position Duncan as a gentle and attentive figure who genuinely cares for his thanes and subjects. 

Duncan’s emotional speaking style and apparent compassion contrast with Lady Macbeth’s concept of masculinity. Both Duncan and Malcolm, the rightful kings in the play, display moments of genuine compassion and warmth, a contrast to Lady Macbeth’s insistence that cruelty and cunning are the central masculine traits. Lady Macbeth’s attempt to undermine what it means to be an honorable man clashes with the reality that the good rulers display all of the traits she dismisses as weak and “unmanly.” 

However, for all of Duncan’s virtues, his primary flaw is his poor judgement of character. Macbeth wins the title of Thane of Cawdor after defeating the previous Thane of Cawdor in battle. The very defection of the previous Thane of Cawdor shows that Duncan has been betrayed in the past and foreshadows Macbeth’s subsequent term in that role. However, Duncan is unable to discern the threat that Macbeth represents, instead describing Inverness as having a “pleasant seat.” Duncan is trusting, believing that his own goodness and generosity is enough to satisfy the ambitions of his attendant lords.  

In a setting where kings are thought to be appointed by divine rule, subject to none other than their god, regicide is considered sacrilegious. Furthermore, Duncan is described in divine language, said to have “silver skin” and “golden blood,” reinforcing his near-divinity. Due to Macbeth’s admission that Duncan has been a good king, Duncan’s death lacks any sense of righteousness. The religious contexts of kingship combine with the unjustified murder to make Macbeth’s regicide feel even more unnatural.

Expert Q&A

In Act 1, how does Duncan view Macbeth's actions?

In Act 1, King Duncan views Macbeth as a loyal and brave soldier. He praises Macbeth for his valor in defeating the treacherous MacDonwald, describing him as deserving of honor. As a reward for Macbeth's bravery, Duncan grants him the title of Thane of Cawdor, showing immense trust and gratitude. This trust, however, foreshadows future betrayal, highlighting Duncan's recurring issue of misjudging the character of those he trusts.

In Macbeth, how does Duncan describe Macbeth?

In Macbeth, Duncan describes Macbeth as "noble," "valiant," and "worthy," showcasing his high regard. This is ironic as Macbeth ultimately betrays and kills Duncan. Duncan's praise includes calling Macbeth "O valiant cousin! Worthy gentleman!" and "My worthy Cawdor!" He even expresses affection by saying, "we love him highly," which highlights Duncan's tragic misjudgment of Macbeth's character.

What type of leader is Duncan in Macbeth?

Duncan is depicted as a virtuous and wise king, characterized by his humility, generosity, and uncorrupted nature. He rewards loyalty, as seen when he makes Macbeth Thane of Cawdor, and trusts Macbeth and Lady Macbeth completely. His moral goodness and strong character make his murder by Macbeth particularly heinous, as there is no justification for it other than Macbeth's ambition. Duncan's leadership is marked by kindness and integrity, amplifying the tragedy of his demise.

What are King Duncan's feelings at the Macbeth estate?

Poor Duncan. He's so clueless that by the end of the play, he'll be dead and buried.

Macbeth and Duncan's Relationship and Contrasts

In Macbeth, the relationship between Macbeth and Duncan is complex, characterized by familial ties, loyalty, and ultimately betrayal. Macbeth is Duncan's cousin and a respected general, earning Duncan's trust and admiration. However, driven by ambition, Macbeth murders Duncan to seize the throne, highlighting their stark contrasts. Duncan is a benevolent, beloved king, while Macbeth becomes a tyrannical ruler. Their differences are further emphasized by their respective reigns and the reactions to their deaths—Duncan's death brings sorrow, while Macbeth's death brings relief.

Qualities that make Duncan and Macbeth fit for the role of a king in Macbeth

Duncan's qualities as a king include his fairness, kindness, and ability to inspire loyalty among his subjects. Macbeth, on the other hand, is initially brave and ambitious, demonstrating strong leadership and military prowess. However, his moral corruption and tyrannical behavior ultimately undermine his suitability as a king.

King Duncan's Character and Relationships in Macbeth

In Act 1, Scene 4 of Macbeth, King Duncan is portrayed as a generous and trusting ruler, characteristics that ultimately lead to his downfall. Despite his benevolence, Duncan's naivety makes him a poor judge of character, as he is deceived by both the former Thane of Cawdor and Macbeth, whom he praises and rewards. His inability to see through Macbeth's facade foreshadows his murder. Shakespeare uses dramatic irony to highlight Duncan's trusting nature and Macbeth's hidden treachery.

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