Duncan Character Analysis (Edexcel GCSE English Literature)
Revision Note
Written by: Nick Redgrove
Reviewed by: Kate Lee
Duncan character analysis
Duncan is the rightful King of Scotland, a noble and respected character who is murdered by Macbeth for his throne.
Duncan character summary
Why is Duncan important?
Although Duncan makes relatively few appearances in the play (he speaks only in Act 1 and is dead by the middle of Act 2) he remains “the gracious Duncan” to characters like Lennox, who want to justify rebellion against Macbeth.
Duncan is depicted as:
Honourable and noble: Duncan exudes an aura of sanctity and honour as evident in lines such as “justice had, with valour arm’d / compelled these skipping kerns to trust their heels” and “signs of nobleness”. This reinforces the idea that any rebellion against him is an unholy act.
Trusting: Duncan’s misplaced trust in the former Thane of Cawdor and his subsequent disappointment presents him as a character who expects loyalty and support from his subjects. He ultimately makes an error in trusting both Thanes of Cawdor (who betray him), while his commendation of the Macbeths’ “pleasant” castle and of his “fair and noble” hostess make him appear somewhat naive.
Humble: despite his royal status, Duncan is gracious and humble as evident through his language and actions. He often expresses gratitude and admiration to other characters, for example, when he praises Banquo and Macbeth for their bravery on the battlefield.
A rightful, legitimate king: in contrast to Macbeth, Duncan is an image of legitimacy. His rule is founded on natural order and divine right which reinforces his role as a symbol of moral governance.
Duncan’s use of language
The language Shakespeare uses for Duncan — elevated iambic pentameter and poetic imagery — reflects his character as a benevolent and noble ruler.
Iambic pentameter and elevated diction: Duncan speaks in iambic pentameter which gives his dialogue a formal and regal quality. In Shakespeare, this is typical of a noble or important character and conveys his high status. His language is marked by elevated and noble vocabulary which aligns him with the virtues of a rightful monarch.
Superlatives and exclamatory phrases: Duncan uses frequent expressions of praise and admiration which reflect his trusting nature. However, this also reveals his inability to perceive treachery around him, making his death more tragic. For example he uses superlatives and exclamatory phrases to convey his respect for Macbeth and Banquo: “O worthiest cousin!” and ‘“Welcome hither!”
Poetic imagery: Duncan’s language often uses natural imagery and figurative language, such as “signs of nobleness, like stars shall shine” which symbolises his harmony with nature and the natural order, linking his character to a rightful and moral kingship.
Dramatic irony: while Duncan’s formality signifies his role as a regal figure in Scotland, it also reveals his vulnerability as his trust in others, particularly in Macbeth, leads to his downfall. His language betrays his naivety and illustrates how little control he has over the play’s unfolding ironies.
Duncan key quotes
Duncan character development
Act 1, Scene 2 | Act 1, Scene 4 | Act 1, Scene 6 | Act 2, Scene 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
Duncan hears of Macbeth’s bravery: Duncan’s praise of Macbeth’s bravery establishes him as a generous and trusting king, who values loyalty and service. His admiration for Macbeth reinforces Duncan’s position as a noble ruler, while also setting up the dramatic irony of Macbeth’s eventual betrayal. | Duncan names his heir: When he names his son Malcolm as his successor, Duncan conveys his legitimate authority and moral leadership, while also foreshadowing Macbeth’s disturbance of the natural order. | Duncan’s arrival at Macbeth’s castle: Duncan’s gracious words and trust in his hosts highlight both his virtuousness but also his naivety. Dramatic irony is used to contrast Duncan’s unsuspecting nature with the murderous intentions of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. | Discovery of Duncan’s murder: Although conducted offstage, Duncan’s murder symbolises the chaos and horror that will pervade the rest of the play, leading to Macbeth’s downfall and the restoration of the natural order. |
Duncan character interpretation
The Divine Right of Kings
A contemporary audience would have been aware of the Divine Right theories of kingship, and so would associate assassination and treason to the destruction of God’s order. However, succession, legitimacy and Divine Right were also highly contentious concepts in Scotland and England during this era. Therefore, Duncan’s language of divine authority, like that used by James I, could be interpreted as masking a deep fear of rebellion.
A vulnerable monarch
As a character, Duncan is usually portrayed as quite elderly. For example, Lady Macbeth states “Had he not resembled/ My father as he slept, I had done’t”, and refers to him as “the old man” in her sleepwalking scene. As such, he represents old age, innocence and holiness and so the reaction of the audience to his “most sacrilegious murder” is therefore one of particular horror.
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