King duncan

• ‘honour, like stars, shall shine on all deserves‘

  • Shakespeare utilises iron here as Macbeth murders Duncan in the night disproving the statement comparison of honour and the stars also indicates that this honour Duncan speaks of as if predetermined and is down to fate
• ‘There’s no art to find the minds construction in the face’

  Duncan expresses humility which is what Macbeth lacks. This could link to fair is foul and foul is fair as he states her one cannot truly tell another motives. This could be foreshadowing as Macbeth turns his back on the King and kills him.
• ‘Noble Macbeth‘

  • Epiphet
  • Duncan’s respect and admiration towards Macbeth is asserted here by describing the warrior is noble. This portrays Duncan to be kind and uplifting nature and how he’s being so grateful to macbeth his trustworthy which is his hamartia foreshadows as it lead to his demise
• ‘Silver skin with golden blood’ - Macbeth

  • Silver symbolises wealth and success
  • reflects Duncan rightful claim to the throne
  • Silver is believed to be a mirror to the soul helping us to see ourselves as others see us, this conveys Duncan is honest
  • Silver draws bad energy out of the body. this reaffirms Duncan is a perfect fit to be King
• context for this is Shakespeare and audience viewed the natural order of the world and society as very important. Duncan provides that natural order as the rightful king of Scotland. his death foreshadows chaos.