Macbeth: Duncan

Macbeth: Duncan

1. Worthy of his role as the ideal king

   • Compassionate towards the wounded soldier
   • Grateful and generous
     • Lavishes Macbeth in praises
       • 'O valiant cousin!' 'Worthy gentleman'
     • Rewards Macbeth with title of TOC
     • Diamond to Lady M.
     • Thanks Banquo

2. Just and fair

   • treatment of the treacherous TOC

3. Widely respected

   • Macbeth acknowledges his fundamental goodness and integrity
     • 'hath been so clear in his great office, that his virtues will plead like angles...'
   • Macduff says: 'Lord's anointed temple'
   • 'a most sainted king'
     • Duncan's death: 'Renown and grace is dead'
     • Murder is seen as a crime against God

4. Fatal flaw is his credulousness

   • Gullible
   • Naive
   • 'He was a gentleman on whom I built my absolute trust'