In act 1, scene 3, Macbeth receives seemingly favorable prophecies from the Three Witches. They tell him that he will become the Thane of Cawdor and later the King of Scotland. Shortly after receiving the prophecies, Ross and Angus inform Macbeth that King Duncan has given him the title of Thane of Cawdor, which confirms one of the prophecies. Immediately after the prophecy is confirmed, Macbeth is astonished. He reveals his thoughts during an aside by saying,
If good, why do I yield to that suggestion
Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair
And make my seated heart knock at my ribs,
Against the use of nature? Present fears
Are less than horrible imaginings
(Shakespeare, 1.3.137-141).
The fact that Macbeth contemplates assassinating King Duncan shortly after being named Thane of Cawdor reveals that he is an ambitious, driven, and power-hungry individual. Since the first prophecy was confirmed, Macbeth believes that he will have the opportunity to achieve the higher, more revered position as King of Scotland. Macbeth recognizes that attaining the throne would give him virtually unlimited power, wealth, and prestige. One cannot blame Macbeth for wanting to attain the crown after the first prophecy is fulfilled.
In act 1, scene 7, Macbeth lists several reasons why he should not assassinate King Duncan in his soliloquy before admitting that his "Vaulting ambition" is his only motivating factor for committing regicide. Essentially, Macbeth's ambition and his desire to attain such a prestigious title are why he is not satisfied with being Thane of Cawdor. It is also important to note that Macbeth is already the Thane of Glamis; his becoming Thane of Cawdor is a lateral move, which is not nearly as enticing as becoming the King of Scotland.
Once Macbeth returns to his castle, his wife manipulates and convinces him to follow through with the assassination. Lady Macbeth's ambition is equal to her husband's. Macbeth successfully usurps the throne after murdering King Duncan in his sleep.
Why is King Duncan unhappy with the Thane of Cawdor?
All the above is excellent reading and insight. Duncan is clearly unhappy with the Thane of Fife because he's a traitor. Who likes a traitor? And people in power are especially distraught when someone around them has betrayed them.
More importantly to me, the Thane of Fife's treason is the trigger for Macbeth's quest for the throne. The very first prediction given by the witches is that Macbeth will somehow become the Thane of Fife. He hears all three of their initial predictions, and I'm sure he's mulling it all around in his brain as nothing more than some fantastical idea. However, when he receives word that he is now Thane of Fife, the goal begins to take shape in a more real--and eventually bloody--way. I'm certainly not blaming the traitorous Thane for the subsequent actions of the play, but his duplicity does act as a trigger for Macbeth's vaulting ambition.
Why is King Duncan unhappy with the Thane of Cawdor?
I agree with most of the above concerning the treason of the Thane of Cawdor, however, I disagree with who defeated the King of Norway and Cawdor. You have all...
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accepted the footnote which identifies Ballona's Bridegroom as Macbeth. This makes no sense.
Where is Ross from? He is from Fife and a kinsman of MacDuff who just happens to be the Thane of Fife. Why would MacDuff give up his command to Macbeth who was at a totally different battle?
Macbeth seems to have no knowledge of the defection of Cawdor. "Why do you dress me in borrowed robes?" is his response to his new title. He goes on to speak of Cawdor in glowing terms. Had he been at the battle in Fife, he surely would have known what happened there.
What most people don't realize is that Shakespeare was setting up the two characters. Macbeth's actions on the battlefield are described in graphic detail by the bloody soldier. Then Ross (from Fife) tells of his kinsman's actions in his battle.
So, why does Duncan reward Macbeth with the new title instead of MacDuff? Macbeth just saved Malcolm's life.
That Macbeth proves to be more treacherous than the previous owner of the title is wonderful irony and a great example of "nothing is but what is not".
Why is King Duncan unhappy with the Thane of Cawdor?
In Macbeth, the irony of the situation of making Macbeth Thane of Cawdor is that Macbeth proves to be much more treacherous than the previous holder of the title, the Baron of Cawdor, who has sided with the Norwegian king. Far more treacherous, Macbeth repays the king by slaying him in his "vaulting ambition" incited by the predictions of the evil sisters. Then, of course, he later tries to eliminate Duncan's son, Malcolm, until the witches tell him that a child who is not born of woman will be king. Because he does not know that Malcolm was born by Caesarean section, Macbeth does not fear him, an action which, of course, becomes his later nemesis.
Why is King Duncan unhappy with the Thane of Cawdor?
I assume that you are talking about what happens in Act I, Scene 2. This is where Duncan is really quite mad at the Thane of Cawdor -- enough so that he has him executed.
The reason why King Duncan does this can be found in what Ross tells him about the way that the battle went. He says that the Thane of Cawdor actually helped the King of Norway in the battle. The Thane of Cawdor betrayed King Duncan and his country. This is a pretty good reason for Duncan to be mad, I'd say.
Macbeth was the one who saved the day with his military prowess. This is why Duncan makes him the new Thane of Cawdor.
Why is King Duncan unhappy with the Thane of Cawdor?
King Duncan is unhappy with the Thane of Cawdor because the nobleman has turned traitor to Scotland and joined with the King of Norway's forces in rebellion. In act 1, scene 2, the Thane of Ross tells the king
Norway himself, with terrible numbers,Assisted by that most disloyal traitor,The Thane of Cawdor, began a dismal conflict
with Scots forces (1.2.59-61). It is for this reason that Duncan orders the Thane of Ross to have the Thane of Cawdor executed and to pass along his title, and all its honors, to the very loyal Thane of Glamis, Macbeth, who has fought bravely for his king and country. The old Thane of Cawdor's rebellion is so upsetting to Duncan because he is so trusting, and he felt that he had no reason to distrust the man. He was sure that the old thane was a man on whom he could count, and so he feels most upset by the fact that
There's no artTo find the mind's construction in the face. (1.4.13-14)
In other words, one cannot simply look upon another person and see if they are truthful and honest or deceptive and disloyal. Duncan laments the faith he put in the old Thane of Cawdor and imagines that he has nothing to fear from the new thane.
Why is King Duncan unhappy with the Thane of Cawdor?
In Act One, Scene 2, the audience learns that the Thane of Cawdor has committed treason by joining the Norwegian forces against Duncan's Scottish troops. Duncan is furious at the Thane of Cawdor for betraying him and demands that he be executed immediately. After hearing about Macbeth's courageous exploits in battle, King Duncan names Macbeth the new Thane of Cawdor. In the next scene, Ross informs Macbeth that he will be given the title Thane of Cawdor, and Angus tells Macbeth about the previous thane's treachery. In Act One, Scene 4, Macbeth informs King Duncan that the previous Thane of Cawdor has been executed. The previous thane was apologetic at his execution and openly expressed his remorse before dying. After receiving the new title of Thane of Cawdor, Macbeth is ambitious to become the next king of Scotland.