King Duncan Duncan is the model of a virtuous, benevolent, and farsighted ruler. His death symbolizes the destruction of an order in Scotland that can be restored only when Duncan’s line, in the person of Malcolm, once more occupies the throne.

What is the significance of Duncan?

Most importantly, Duncan is the representative of God on earth, ruling by divine right (ordained by God), a feature of kingship strongly endorsed by King James I, for whom the play was performed in 1606.

What theme does Duncan represent?

Loyalty and guilt are also strong themes in Macbeth. Duncan clearly values loyalty – he has the first Thane of Cawdor executed and rewards Macbeth by making him the new Thane.

How is King Duncan portrayed?

In the play Duncan is portrayed as a strong, wise and elderly king whereas in reality he was a young, weak and ineffective ruler.

What does King Duncan’s death represent?

Duncan was a great King, and for a king of his power and greatness to be sacrificed to the ambition of someone like Macbeth shows the magnitude of the murder. Duncan’s character backed up his status– he was very generous, such as in giving Macbeth the title of the Thane of Cawdor.

What can we learn from King Duncan?

Be careful of people you trust



This lesson comes out clearly at the initial stages of the play during the first act and second scene. King Duncan trusted Thane of Cowder and he betrayed the king during the battle. Duncan failed to learn from mistakes. He ended up trusting Macbeth.

Why was Duncan a good king?

King Duncan is described as a kind and generous man who is respected by many of the people in Scotland. King Duncan puts the needs of his country above his own needs and tries to provide unity in the kingdom.

Who does King Duncan represent in Macbeth?

Although a modern reader may view Duncan as an incompetent monarch in this respect, Duncan represents moral order within the play and his murder signals the onset of chaos. King Duncan of Scotland (c. 1001–1040) is the ruler of Scotland whom Macbeth murders for his throne.

What is ironic about Duncan’s statement?

Duncan’s speech on his arrival at Inverness is heavy with dramatic irony: Not only is the “seat” (the surroundings) of the castle “pleasant,” but even the air is sweeter than that to which the king is accustomed. The presence of the martlet (a summer bird) serves to heighten the irony.

Who is King Duncan based on?

Donnchad mac Crinain (Scottish Gaelic: Donnchadh mac Crìonain; anglicised as Duncan I, and nicknamed An t-Ilgarach, “the Diseased” or “the Sick”; c. 1001 – 14 August 1040) was king of Scotland (Alba) from 1034 to 1040. He is the historical basis of the “King Duncan” in Shakespeare’s play Macbeth.

What does Duncan represent in Macbeth?

Duncan is the model of a virtuous, benevolent, and farsighted ruler. His death symbolizes the destruction of an order in Scotland that can be restored only when Duncan’s line, in the person of Malcolm, once more occupies the throne.

What does Duncan name Malcolm and why is this significant?

In the first act, Duncan names Malcolm as ‘the Prince of Cumberland‘, the lawful heir of Scotland (1.4. 39). Immediately, he is established as an obstacle to Macbeth’s unlawful ambitions – ‘a step / On which I must fall down or else o’er leap’ (1.4. 48–49).

What does Macbeth say about Duncan?

Even Macbeth realizes it, saying that 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. 17-20).