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

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

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

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

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.

1Literary & Cultural Context

1.1Context

1.1.1Tragedy

1.1.2The Supernatural & Gender

1.1.3Politics & Monarchy

1.1.4End of Topic Test - Context

2Plot Summary

2.1Act 1

2.1.1Scenes 1 & 2

2.1.2Scene 3

2.1.3Scenes 4-5

2.1.4Scenes 6-7

2.1.5End of Topic Test - Act 1

2.2Acts 2-4

2.2.1Act 2

2.2.2Act 3

2.2.3Act 4

2.3Act 5

2.3.1Scenes 1-3

2.3.2Scenes 4-9

2.3.3End of Topic Test - Acts 2-5

3Characters

3.1Macbeth

3.1.1Hero vs Villain

3.1.2Ambition & Fate

3.1.3Relationship

3.1.4Unstable

3.1.5End of Topic Test - Macbeth

3.2Lady Macbeth

3.2.1Masculine & Ruthless

3.2.2Manipulative & Disturbed

3.3Other Characters

3.3.1Banquo

3.3.2The Witches

3.3.3Exam-Style Questions - The Witches

3.3.4King Duncan

3.3.5Macduff

3.3.6End of Topic Test - Lady Macbeth & Banquo

3.3.7End of Topic Test - Witches, Duncan & Macduff

3.4Grade 9 - Key Characters

3.4.1Grade 9 - Lady Macbeth Questions

4Themes

4.1Themes

4.1.1Power & Ambition

4.1.2Power & Ambition HyperLearning

4.1.3Violence

4.1.4The Supernatural

4.1.5Masculinity

4.1.6Armour, Kingship & The Natural Order

4.1.7Appearances & Deception

4.1.8Madness & Blood

4.1.9Women, Children & Sleep

4.1.10End of Topic Test - Themes

4.1.11End of Topic Test - Themes 2

4.2Grade 9 - Themes

4.2.1Grade 9 - Themes

4.2.2Extract Analysis

5Writer's Techniques

5.1Structure, Meter & Other Literary Techniques

5.1.1Structure, Meter & Dramatic Irony

5.1.2Pathetic Fallacy & Symbolism

5.1.3End of Topic Test - Writer's Techniques

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