3.3.4

King Duncan

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King Duncan

King Duncan is a wise and noble king. He seems to have the qualities that an admirable ruler should have. This shows a contrast between him and Macbeth, who (when he becomes King of Scotland) rules like a tyrant.

Trusts his subjects

Trusts his subjects

  • King Duncan admits that he failed to consider that his close friends could ever betray him (like the Thane of Cawdor) – he is a good and trusting king. He says, ‘There’s no art / To find the mind’s construction in the face’ (1,4).
  • When King Duncan arrives at Macbeth’s castle, he greets Lady Macbeth in a polite way and thanks her for her trouble. This again shows his generous manner towards his subjects (those under his rule).
  • The very fact that King Duncan happily stays at his subject’s home shows how much trust he places in those close to him.
Possesses good qualities

Possesses good qualities

  • When Macbeth thinks about the reasons why he shouldn’t murder King Duncan, he lists the king’s qualities: ‘this Duncan / Hath borne in his faculties so meek, hath been / So clear in his great office, that his virtues / Will plead like angels’ (1,7).
  • Duncan is a great man with excellent moral standards.
  • He compares Duncan’s morals to those of an angel, showing how much he admires him.
Father-like

Father-like

  • Lady Macbeth thought about killing King Duncan herself, but couldn’t, because he looked like her father (2,1).
    • This could suggest that Duncan is kind and cares about his people.
Reinforces the Divine Right of Kings

Reinforces the Divine Right of Kings

  • King James I believed in the Divine Right of Kings – in Macbeth, King Duncan is shown to be a ruler selected by God, and only answerable to God - his goodness is proof that God gave him this role.
  • This is the opposite of Macbeth, who gains the crown against the law and has no good qualities as a ruler.
  • King Duncan’s descendants continue ruling Scotland, whereas Macbeth loses everything (including his wife) and is killed.
  • This shows how God’s choice of king is rewarded (even after death), whereas the man who went against God is condemned and suffers.
Jump to other topics
1

Literary & Cultural Context

1.1

Context

1.1.1Tragedy1.1.2The Supernatural & Gender1.1.3Politics & Monarchy1.1.4End of Topic Test - Context
2

Plot Summary

2.1

Act 1

2.1.1Scenes 1 & 22.1.2Scene 32.1.3Scenes 4-52.1.4Scenes 6-72.1.5End of Topic Test - Act 1
2.2

Acts 2-4

2.2.1Act 22.2.2Act 32.2.3Act 4
2.3

Act 5

2.3.1Scenes 1-32.3.2Scenes 4-82.3.3End of Topic Test - Acts 2-52.3.4Diagnostic Misconceptions - Ambiguous Ending2.3.5Diagnostic Misconceptions - Jacobean
3

Characters

3.1

Macbeth

3.1.1Hero vs Villain3.1.2Ambition & Fate3.1.3Relationship3.1.4Unstable3.1.5End of Topic Test - Macbeth3.1.6Diagnostic Misconceptions - Cowardice3.1.7Diagnostic Misconceptions - Madness3.1.8Diagnostic Misconceptions - Power
3.2

Lady Macbeth

3.2.1Masculine & Ruthless3.2.2Manipulative & Disturbed3.2.3Diagnostic Misconceptions - NOT a Man3.2.4Diagnostic Misconceptions - Villain
3.3

Other Characters

3.3.1Banquo3.3.2The Witches3.3.3Exam-Style Questions - The Witches3.3.4King Duncan3.3.5Macduff3.3.6End of Topic Test - Lady Macbeth & Banquo3.3.7End of Topic Test - Witches, Duncan & Macduff3.3.8Diagnostic Misconceptions - Banquo
3.4

Grade 9 - Key Characters

3.4.1Grade 9 - Lady Macbeth Questions
4

Themes

4.1

Themes

4.1.1Power & Ambition4.1.2Power & Ambition HyperLearning4.1.3Violence4.1.4The Supernatural4.1.5Masculinity4.1.6Armour, Kingship & The Natural Order4.1.7Appearances & Deception4.1.8Madness & Blood4.1.9Women, Children & Sleep4.1.10End of Topic Test - Themes4.1.11End of Topic Test - Themes 2
4.2

Grade 9 - Themes

4.2.1Grade 9 - Themes4.2.2Extract Analysis
5

Writer's Techniques

5.1

Structure, Meter & Other Literary Techniques

5.1.1Structure, Meter & Dramatic Irony5.1.2Pathetic Fallacy & Symbolism5.1.3End of Topic Test - Writer's Techniques
6

Recap: Main Quotes

6.1

Characters Quotes

6.1.1Macbeth6.1.2Macbeth 26.1.3Macbeth 36.1.4Macbeth 46.1.5Lady Macbeth6.1.6Lady Macbeth 26.1.7Banquo6.1.8Banquo 26.1.9The Witches6.1.10King Duncan6.1.11Macduff
6.2

Text Structure - Quotes

6.2.1Violence6.2.2The Supernatural6.2.3Ambition6.2.4Armour, Kingship & the Natural Order6.2.5Appearances & Deception6.2.6Lady Macbeth's Masculinity6.2.7Madness & Blood6.2.8Men, Children & Sleep

Practice questions on King Duncan

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  1. 1
    Ways in which Duncan is portrayed as a good king:Fill in the list
  2. 2
    What does Macbeth compare Duncan's morals to?Multiple choice
  3. 3
    What stopped Lady Macbeth from murdering Duncan herself?Multiple choice
  4. 4
    Quotes portraying Duncan as a good and trusting ruler:Fill in the list
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Exam-Style Questions - The Witches

Macduff