Duncan

• 'There's no art to find the mind's construction in the face. He was a gentleman on whom I built absolute trust'

  • King Duncan is portrayed as being too trusting and naïve.
  • Dramatic irony - believes Macbeth is his 'worthiest cousin' yet he was just contemplating about his murder - does not learn his lesson.
  • Forshadows Macbeth's betrayal as he is wearing the traitorous Thanes 'borrowed clothes' - cyclical structure.
  • Is a kind and trusting king contrasting Macbeth who is paranoid and cyncial.
• 'Duncan hath born his faculties so meek, hath been so clear in his great office that his virtues will plead like angels... against the deep damnation of his taking off;

  • King Duncan stands as a symbol of stability, and as an idyllic representation of the possibility of just leadership.
  • "Meek" here means gentle and humble, while "clear" suggests that Duncan's reign has been free from corruption or cruelty.
  • Duncan's gentle and virtuous nature, which Macbeth contrasts with his own ambition and the potential for violence.
  • Simile emphasizes the innocence and goodness of Duncan, suggesting that his virtues are so strong that they could even plead with divine beings against the evil act of his murder. 
• 'or heaven's Sherubs' 'Shall blow the horrid deed in every eye that tears shall drown the wind'

  • The wind" is personified, suggesting that even nature will be overwhelmed by the tragedy as Duncan is epresentative of God on Earth.
  • Hyperbole - Emphasises the emotional impact the death of Duncan would cause as he is so loved. In contrast, Macbeth's death was celebrated.
  • Imagery: The lines create vivid images of widespread grief and the impact of the murder on the world. 
  • The image of "heaven's cherubins" symbolises Duncan's innocent and angelic qualities, further highlights the moral weight of the deed as it
• 'Some say the Earth was feverous and did shake'

  • Personifies nature, suggesting the land is disturbed and ill, mirroring the chaos and unnatural events caused by King Duncan's murder. 
  • Macbeth's ambition and murder of Duncan lead to a breakdown of the natural and social order, which is reflected in the disturbed state of nature. 
  • The Jacobean audience believed in a divine order, and the king's murder was seen as a transgression that would cause chaos and abnormal events. 
• 'A falcon... was by a mousing owl hawked at and killed.' 'Duncan's horses...turned wild in nature....as they would make war with mankind'

  • The falcon, a majestic bird of prey, is often used to symbolize royalty and high status, representing King Duncan.
  • Symbolic of the abnormal nature of how Macbeth usurped the throne from a higher power.
  • Suggests a disruption of the natural order and a foreshadowing of the violence and chaos to come. 
  • Aggressive verbs emphasizes the violent nature of the act.
  • Natural imagery used confirms the theme of the self-destructive nature of evil, which reverberates chaos into nature itself, as seen in how Duncan's horses eat each other
• "Most sacrilegious murder hath broke ope / The Lord’s anointed temple"



  • Religious Imagery – "Lord's anointed temple" - Macduff compares King Duncan’s body to a holy temple, suggesting that the king is sacred, chosen by God.
  • This reflects the Divine Right of Kings — a key belief in the Jacobean era, and harming them is a sin against heaven.
  • Metaphor – The metaphor of breaking open a temple suggests that Duncan’s murder is not just political—it’s a spiritual violation.
  • It emphasizes the sacrilegious nature of the crime — Macbeth hasn’t just killed a man; he’s destroyed something holy.
  • Theme of Order vs Chaos - The murder of Duncan represents the destruction of divine and natural order.
  • "and stole thence the life o'th' building":This describes the murder as a theft of the life and vitality of the kingdom, further emphasizing the disruption of the natural order, leading to moral and social collapse.
• • Power and Kingship – Duncan represents legitimate power; Macbeth represents usurped, illegitimate power.
  • Appearance vs Reality – Duncan cannot see the treachery beneath Macbeth’s surface.
  • Order vs Chaos – Duncan’s murder marks the beginning of chaos in Scotland.
• 'Signs of nobleness like stars shall shine on all deservers'

  • Duncan believes that virtue and nobility are outward traits, visible in a person's character and actions. 
  •  Simile - compares noble qualities to stars emphasizes their visibility and brilliance, suggesting that virtuous individuals will be recognized and celebrated. The stars also symbolize a divine or heavenly reward, implying that good deeds will be rewarded not only in this life but also in the afterlife. 
  • Duncan is an ideal just and righteous ruler.