Student Question

In Macbeth, how does Duncan describe Macbeth?

Quick answer:

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.

Expert Answers

An illustration of the letter 'A' in a speech bubbles

In his short span of life within the play, Duncan describes Macbeth as "worthy" in many ways, heaping praise on the  new Thane of Cawdor.  Interestingly enough, Duncan admits that he mistakenly trusted the last Thane of Cawdor.  The same is true when Macbeth is given the title.  When first...

Unlock
This Answer Now

Start your 48-hour free trial and get ahead in class. Boost your grades with access to expert answers and top-tier study guides. Thousands of students are already mastering their assignments—don't miss out. Cancel anytime.

Get 48 Hours Free Access

told of Macbeth's newest and most valiant victory, Duncan proclaims, "O valiant cousin!  Worthy gentleman!" (1.2.24).  It isn't long after that Duncan gives Macbeth his new title of Thane of Cawdor (fulfilling part ofthe witches' prophesy).  A few scenes later, Duncan describes Macbeth as "My worthy Cawdor!" even as Macbeth grumbles at how Malcolm has gotten closer to the throne (1.4.48).  Before long, the king is a guest of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.  The hosts, of course, beat King Duncan home, so Duncan has this to say:

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 holp him / To his home before us.  (1.6.21-24)

In other words, Duncan describes Macbeth as a fast rider and a skilled one as well.  More interestingly, though, Duncan describes Macbeth's wife as "sharp as his spur" who was a great help to him.  Ha!  You got that right, Duncan.  Lady Macbeth is more than just a help.  She is the is the chief instrument of Macbeth's ambition!  Without her, one must ask whether Macbeth would have killed Duncan in the first place!  The final words Duncan has for Macbeth are an interesting description as well:

Conduct me to mine host:  we love him highly, / and shall continue our graces towards him.  (1.6.29-30)

Duncan uses the word "love" to describe Macbeth here!  Duncan is, therefore, increasing his great affection for Macbeth (as the opposite is true for the latter).  Duncan also vows to continue lavishing his kingly grace upon Macbeth.  Unfortunately, Duncan is killed by Macbeth's own hand before Duncan can do so.

Approved by eNotes Editorial
An illustration of the letter 'A' in a speech bubbles

How can you describe Macbeth's attitude to Duncan—as seen in his parting words?

Macbeth has no parting words, as such, with Duncan, but Macbeth makes other references to Duncan throughout the play that reveal Macbeth's true feelings towards him.

On Macbeth's first meeting with Duncan, Macbeth describes his loyalty to his king:

MACBETH. The service and the loyalty I owe,
In doing it, pays itself. Your highness' part
Is to receive our duties, and our duties
Are to your throne and state, children and servants,
Which do but what they should, by doing every thing
Safe toward your love and honor. (1.4.25–30)

The last words that Macbeth speaks to Duncan in the play occur just a few lines later, after Duncan tells Macbeth that he intends to visit Macbeth at Inverness, Macbeth's castle:

MACBETH. I'll be myself the harbinger, and make joyful
The hearing of my wife with your approach;
So humbly take my leave. (1.4.51–53)

Macbeth is pleased that Duncan is going to visit him at his castle and looks forward to telling Lady Macbeth the good news, but before making his exit Macbeth expresses to himself his dissatisfaction with Duncan naming his son, Malcolm, as his successor, and Macbeth reveals his ambitions towards acquiring Duncan's throne:

MACBETH. (Aside) The Prince of Cumberland! That is a step
On which I must fall down, or else o'erleap,
For in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires;
Let not light see my black and deep desires:
The eye wink at the hand; yet let that be
Which the eye fears, when it is done, to see. (1.4.55–60)

Macbeth doesn't meet Duncan when Duncan arrives at Inverness and avoids meeting with him at dinner.

After Macbeth discusses killing Duncan with Lady Macbeth, Macbeth has second thoughts it and thinks about his duties to Duncan and his feelings towards him:

MACBETH: He's here in double trust:
First, as I am his kinsman and his subject,
Strong both against the deed; then, as his host,
Who should against his murderer shut the door,
Not bear the knife myself. Besides, this Duncan
Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been
So clear in his great office, that his virtues
Will plead like angels trumpet-tongued against
The deep damnation of his taking-off (1.7.12–20)

We don't know what Macbeth might have said to the sleeping Duncan before he murdered him, but Macbeth expresses nothing but remorse, regret, and revulsion for having killed him:

MACBETH: This is a sorry sight. (2.2.28)

Macbeth heard the guards praying before he killed Duncan:

MACBETH: One cried, "God bless us!" and "Amen" the other,
As they had seen me with these hangman's hands.
Listening their fear, I could not say "Amen,"
When they did say "God bless us!"
. . . But wherefore could not I pronounce
"Amen"?
I had most need of blessing, and "Amen"
Stuck in my throat. (2.2.36–43)

When Macbeth forgets to leave the daggers with Duncan's guards, Lady Macbeth tells him to take the daggers back to Duncan's room.

MACBETH: I'll go no more:
I am afraid to think what I have done;
Look on't again I dare not. (2.2.64–66)

There's knocking at the castle gate, and Macbeth clearly wishes that he hadn't killed Duncan, and regrets that he's done so:

MACBETH: (Knocking) Wake Duncan with thy knocking! I would thou couldst! (2.2.93)

He later remarks, "the gracious Duncan have I murder'd" (3.1.70).

The last words that Macbeth speaks about Duncan express his desire that Duncan rest in peace:

MACBETH: Duncan is in his grave;
After life's fitful fever he sleeps well;
Treason has done his worst: nor steel, nor poison,
Malice domestic, foreign levy, nothing,
Can touch him further. (3.2. 24–28)

Last Updated on