duncan

• In what acts does Duncan speak in Macbeth?

  Act 1 and is dead by Act 2
• Why do characters like Lennox refer to Duncan as "the gracious Duncan"?

  To justify rebellion against Macbeth
• How is Duncan depicted in Macbeth?

  • Honourable and noble
  • Trusting
  • Humble
  • A rightful, legitimate king
• What reinforces the idea that any rebellion against Duncan is an unholy act?

  His aura of sanctity and honor
• What does Duncan exude as seen in the lines "justice had, with valour arm’d / compelled these skipping kerns to trust their heels” and “signs of nobleness"?

  An aura of sanctity and honour
• How does Duncan's trust in the former Thane of Cawdor characterize him?

  As someone who expects loyalty
• What error does Duncan make in trusting the Thanes of Cawdor and commending the Macbeths' castle?

  Appearing somewhat naive
• Despite his royal status, how is Duncan also portrayed?

  Gracious and humble
• What does Duncan's rule being founded on natural order and divine right reinforce?

  His role as a symbol of moral governance
• What type of language does Shakespeare use for Duncan?

  Elevated iambic pentameter and poetic imagery
• What does Shakespeare's use of elevated iambic pentameter for Duncan reflect?

  His character as a benevolent ruler
• In Shakespeare, what does iambic pentameter typically convey about a character?

  Their high status
• What do Duncan's frequent expressions of praise and admiration reflect?

  His trusting nature
• What does Duncan's use of superlatives and exclamatory phrases reveal?

  His inability to perceive treachery
• What does Duncan's use of natural imagery and figurative language symbolize?

  His harmony with nature and natural order
• How does Duncan's use of poetic imagery link his character?

  To a rightful and moral kingship
• What does Duncan's formality reveal in the play?

  His vulnerability
• What does Duncan's language betray?

  His naivety
• What does Duncan's language illustrate regarding the play's ironies?

  How little control he has over them
• What act and scene references Duncan hearing of Macbeth's bravery?

  Act 1, Scene 2
• What act and scene references Duncan naming his heir?

  Act 1, Scene 4
• What act and scene references Duncan arriving at Macbeth’s castle?

  Act 1, Scene 6
• What act and scene references the discovery of Duncan’s murder?

  Act 2, Scene 2
• What does Duncan's praise of Macbeth's bravery establish him as?

  A generous and trusting king
• What does Duncan's admiration for Macbeth set up in the play?

  The dramatic irony of Macbeth’s betrayal
• What does Duncan's naming of Malcolm as his successor convey?

  His legitimate authority and moral leadership
• What does Duncan's naming of Malcolm as his successor foreshadow?

  Macbeth’s disturbance of the natural order
• What do Duncan's gracious words and trust in his hosts highlight?

  His virtuousness and naivety
• What is contrasted with the murderous intentions of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth?

  Duncan's unsuspecting nature
• What does Duncan's murder symbolize?

  The chaos and horror to come
• What does Duncan's murder lead to?

  Macbeth’s downfall
• What is restored after Duncan's murder?

  The natural order
• What would a contemporary audience associate with the assassination and treason against Duncan?

  The destruction of God’s order
• During the era of the play, what were highly contentious concepts in Scotland and England?

  Succession, legitimacy and Divine Right
• What could Duncan’s language of divine authority be interpreted as masking?

  A deep fear of rebellion
• How is Duncan usually portrayed as a character?

  Quite elderly
• What does Duncan represent, being portrayed as quite elderly?

  Old age, innocence and holiness
• What is the audience's reaction to Duncan's murder?

  One of particular horror