Duncan

• "O valiant cousin, worthy gentleman" (1,2)


  - giving praise where praise is due - appreciated qualities of others

  - caring

  - decisive on ordering death of Thane of Cawdor

  -- connotations of bravery and courage --> ironic as later, Macbeth lacks the coursge to stand up to his wife Lady Macbeth (LM)

  - Exclamatory "O" - adds emphasis to the greeting and shows how pleased Duncan is of Macbeth's (M) victory over Cawdor.

  - "worthy" - positive adjective - positive connotations which juxtapose w/ Macbeth's behaviour later in the play.

  
  

  THEMES:

  MACBETH

  DUNCAN

  APPEARANCE VS REALITY

  LOYALTY / DUTY

  KINGSHIP
• Act 1, Scene 4 - Duncan's qualities and evidence


  Leadership skills - following up on instruction for the 'execution' of Cawdor

  Kind, generous spirit: long speech of gratitude towards Macbeth

  Very trusting: "He was a gentleman on whom I built an absolute trust"

  Fairness: thinking of M and Banquo equally

  Forward thinking: - naming Malcolm officially as his heir
• Duncan characteristics in Act 1, Scene 6

  Appreciative nature: 'This castle hath a pleasant seat'.

  Grateful - genuinely expressed gratitude to LM
• Duncan characteristics shown in Act 1, Scene 7


  A well-respected King: "so meek... that his virtue/ will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued"

  "Meek" - heavenly ( aquality referenced in the Beatitudes) - blessed are the meek. 'clear in his great office'

  Characterised as heavenly through imagery of his 'virtues' ie the way that 'heaven's Cherubins' will 'blow the horrid deed in every eye'

  Image of 'tears drown[ing] the wind' at his death jndicates how Duncan is loved by his people
• Duncan's characteristics/presentation shown in Act 2, S3 and S4

  A religious / Godly figure - his body is described as the 'Lord's anointed temple' - sacred and untouchable. and 'Murder' is described as acting 'sacreligious[ly]' in killing the king

  "His silver skin laced with golden blood" - inanimate imagery of value to show how he was more than just an ordinary man

  'His gashed stabs looked like a breach in nature' - simile - implies that in murdering Duncan, M has somehow murdered/disrputed Nature

  
  

  Lots of metaphorical language in murder scene of Duncan - as if his murder csnnot quite be comprehended in 'straightforward' terms.

  Not just a normal man being murdered

  Nature disrupted by duncan's death - the night was 'unruly' with 'strange screams of death' heard. An Owl kills a Falcon - disruption of food chain - symbolising M (the 'owl') killing Duncan (the 'falcon')

  Horses were 'eat[ing]' each other

  Its dark during the day 'darkness does the face of earth entomb/When living light should kiss it
• "He was a gentleman on whom I built an absolute trust."


  Characterization: This quote is spoken by King Duncan in Act 1, Scene 4, of "Macbeth," referring to the Thane of Cawdor, who has just been executed for treason. Duncan is reflecting on his past trust in the Thane of Cawdor, whom he had regarded highly and trusted implicitly. This quote serves to characterize Duncan as a trusting and benevolent ruler, highlighting his naivety and vulnerability.

  
  

  Irony: The quote is ironic because the audience knows that the Thane of Cawdor betrayed Duncan's trust, leading to his downfall. This irony emphasizes the theme of deception and betrayal, as well as the dangers of misplaced trust. It also foreshadows the events to come, as Macbeth's own betrayal of Duncan will parallel the betrayal of the Thane of Cawdor.

  
  

  Themes:

  Betrayal and Deception: The quote underscores the theme of betrayal and deception, as Duncan reflects on the betrayal of his trust by the Thane of Cawdor. This theme is central to the play, as characters manipulate and deceive each other in their pursuit of power.

  
  

  Trust and Betrayal: Duncan's statement highlights the theme of trust and betrayal, as he grapples with the betrayal of someone he had trusted implicitly. This theme is central to the play, as characters navigate the complexities of loyalty and betrayal in their relationships with one another.

  Appearances vs. Reality: The quote also speaks to the theme of appearances vs. reality, as Duncan's perception of the Thane of Cawdor as a trustworthy gentleman is shattered by the reality of his betrayal. This theme recurs throughout the play, as characters struggle to discern truth from falsehood in a world filled with deception and illusion.
• Silver skin lac'd with his golden blood' - Macbeth


  Imagery: This quote is from Act 2, Scene 3, where Macbeth is discussing the scene of Duncan's murder with Lennox. Here, Macbeth describes Duncan's skin as "silver" and his blood as "golden." This vivid imagery contrasts Duncan's regal appearance with the violence of his murder, highlighting the brutality of the act.

  
  

  Symbolism: The description of Duncan's "silver skin" and "golden blood" carries symbolic significance. Silver and gold are traditionally associated with wealth, purity, and nobility. By describing Duncan's skin as silver and his blood as golden, Macbeth emphasizes Duncan's royal status and innocence. The juxtaposition of these precious metals with the violence of his murder underscores the tragedy of Duncan's death and the betrayal of his trust.

  
  

  Themes:

  Appearance vs. Reality: This quote reflects the theme of appearance vs. reality, a central motif in "Macbeth." On the surface, Duncan appears noble and regal, represented by the imagery of silver and gold. However, beneath this facade lies the reality of his murder, exposing the deceptive nature of appearances and the presence of violence and corruption within the seemingly noble world of the play.

  
  

  Guilt and Conscience: Macbeth's description of Duncan's appearance may also evoke feelings of guilt and conscience.

  
  

  The imagery of silver skin and golden blood serves as a haunting reminder of the innocence and purity of Duncan, making Macbeth's betrayal and murder of him all the more reprehensible. This quote underscores the psychological turmoil and moral conflict that Macbeth experiences following Duncan's murder.