Upon arrival, he also states that the castle has a pleasant atmosphere and the weather is near perfect. This reflects Duncan's positive mind and overeager trusting of people. He is happy knowing that they killed the Thane of Cawdor, but is unaware of Macbeth's plan. The pathetic fallacy reflects Duncan's mentality, and also shows his gullibility to towards the people around him. He seems much happier not knowing what will happen to him.
In Macbeth, Shakespeare uses juxtaposition to set up foils that highlight different characteristics of Macbeth: Duncan reveals the depth of Macbeth’s depravity, while Banquo emphasizes Macbeth’s ambition, and Lady Macbeth accentuates Macbeth’s insecurities; exemplifying how a fatal flaw leads to a downfall. Duncan blindly trusts his subjects by providing them with numerous words of praise and rewards. After the former Thane of Cawdor is executed, the king proclaims,..., depicting his exceedingly naive and credulous features. Duncan's righteous personality contrasts with Macbeth’s cautious and cunning nature, and the virtuous ruler meets his end as his trust for Macbeth obscures Macbeth’s murderous motives. Similar to Duncan, Banquo is another
King Duncan was a great leader and the people liked him because he looked out for them and cared for them because he wasn’t selfish. “Conduct me to my host; we love him highly and shall continue our graces towards him. By your leave, hostess”(Act 1, Scene 6). This quote shows how the people see King Duncan as a person and a ruler. He respects the people and they do the same.
For example, Duncan is kinder and cares for his people. Unlike Macbeth, who killed for his own personal game, Duncan had reason for killing people. For instance, when he has the original Thane of Cawdor executed for treason, he admits the “man was once a gentleman in whom I had absolute trust” (I.iv). This shows that Duncan took killing people very seriously unlike Macbeth, who just did it for no reason.
King Duncan, the man who led with kindness and generosity before King Macbeth was a well liked man and had a thriving kingdom which he ruled. He is shown to be very generous as shown when he awards Macbeth and Banquo, “You are welcome here. By making you thane of Cawdor, I have planted the seeds of a great career for you, and I will make sure they grow. (to BANQUO) Noble Banquo, you deserve no less than Macbeth, and everyone should know it.
In “Macbeth,” by Shakespeare, King Duncan of Scotland is a generous man, but has a horrible weakness that affects others. His weakness constantly puts his kingdom and his life in danger. His weakness happens to be that he gains the trusts of others so easily, and is too kind to those he barely knows. The Thane of Cawdor, who was appointed by the King, was disloyal and began a bloody battle. This angered the King, and the Thane of Cawdor was later executed.
Lady Macbeth is power hungry for the throne and she will do anything to achieve her goal. Her pleasure of having the thought of killing Duncan is revealed. These murderous thoughts that run through her mind shows how desperate she is to acquire power. Although it is the beginning of the play, her dark ambitions sets a dark tone for her character in the play. This coincidentally adds to the assurance of Macbeth’s prophecy which is that Macbeth will become king, but King Duncan is still alive.
Thus, Macbeth conflicts with Duncan, Banquo, Lennox, Macduff, Ross, Mentieth, Simward, and all noble Scotsmen. Of course, Malcolm III must be included in this list, and even the three sisters whom Macbeth encounters in Act I since they make predictions that work against Macbeth.” (ENotes, “Homework Help”). As previously stated, most if not all characters present a kind of contrast towards Macbeth; all the characteristics of the minor characters highlight the flaws in the type of person Macbeth is. Duncan is a foil because of his role as king, the role that Macbeth desired and sought after.
Duncan is an esteemed ruler and thus, starkly different from Holinshed’s Duncan. Macbeth brings out Duncan’s excellence, “Hath borne his faculties so meek, Will plead like angles…
Macbeth’s mental condition begins to dwindle as time goes on, starting with the murder of Duncan. At first, Macbeth is seen as a soldier that everyone aspires to be, strong, brave, and compassionate about his duties to the king. In act one scene two, Captain says, “...For brave Macbeth-well he deserves that name-...” This shows that he is a likeable person who has only the objective of serving his king. After meeting with the witches and hearing his prophecy, Macbeth starts to think about what it would be like to be king of Scotland.
First, we see Lady Macbeth acting like a sweet, caring, and good hostess toward King Duncan as he comes to Macbeth’s castle. “All our service, in every point twice done and then done double, were poor and single business to contend against those honors deep and broad wherewith your majesty loads our house. For those of old, and the late dignities heaped up to them, we rest your hermits” (Shakespeare 1.6. 14-20).
Killing Duncan was his downfall that also brought down Scotland and because of this evil act, Macbeth was punished over and over through the play until his downfall cost him his life. His figurative nobility is brought up when Macbeth becomes king. Once a noble general now and noble king keeping secrets. The audience sees his figurative
King Duncan saw Macbeth as a loyal and noble kinsman. These are the first words that the King says when he sees Macbeth, “My worthiest kinsman!” (Act 1 Scene 4). The two interact as close friends Macbeth thinks very highly of King Duncan and states, “The opportunity to serve you is its own reward,” (Act 1 Scene 4). After the King offers to repay him for winning the battle.
This simply says that Duncan is a kind and gentle ruler, which is the exact opposite of what Macbeth is destined to become. Moving on, Duncan
