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Duncan of Scotland

Macbeth analysis

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Sampath Amarasinghe
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9 views

Duncan of Scotland

Macbeth analysis

Uploaded by

Sampath Amarasinghe
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Duncan of Scotland

The Tragedy of Macbeth offers the audience with many intriguing characters. They are crafted in such a
way that the playwright allows us to gauge the impact they create in the tragedy. The king Dancan is
such a character who plays a paramount role in the process of the play even after his demise which
occurs between 2.1 and 2.2, as an offstage event.

Although he appears only in act 1, Duncan is a major character. Even after he has murdered him,
Macbeth referrers to him as “gracious.” Duncan also treats his subjects with dignity as he is grateful
towards “noble Macbeth,” even though Macbeth attempts to avoid his uncle as much as possible. And
when Macduff argues with Malcolm in 4.3, he appeals to the fact that his father was “most sainted
king,” and also Macduff presents the queen being very religious, very similar to the way he describes the
murdered Duncan as an “lord anointed temple.” Such descriptions highlight how the thanes who are
close to Duncan treats him with respect. Therefore, the view of Duncan is consistent throughout the
play- all at least to his worth and merits. This is because his influence pervades the play, and in any case
he sets the standard for what a king should be. Macbeth in comparison with Duncan falls far short,
although ironically, Macbeth aspires to be a king like Duncan, for he admires him.

Ostensibly, Duncan is open, honest and sincere. The openness and sincerity are shown in the free and
frank way he praises “all deserves” and rewards them appropriately too. There is warmth about Duncan-
he seems to enjoy the achievements of others and seemingly his gifts are not given to gain his own
advantage. And deserved to be called honorable. He himself uses the word several times. First, he uses
it to describe the wounded captain, suggesting a combination of courage, loyalty, and integrity,
treachery is the opposite of this. He seems divisive as a king and he clearly inspires loyalty in his thanes.
If he has a weakness, it is a consequence of his goodness. He comments himself that it is impossible to
see the mind’s construction in the face, but this recognition does not cause him to behave, perhaps, a
little more circumspection. Trusting Macbeth, he too readily steps into his castle without appropriate
safe guards trusting Macbeth too much.

Despite the above rosy picture on Duncan, there is a sense of corruption from his side. But breaching
the common practice, Duncan tries to create dynasty which engages Macbeth. He angrily remarks:” The
prince of Cumberland; that is a step I must fall down.” As in 1.4, Macbeth hears the the declaration of
Duncan that his elder son Malcolm will be groomed as the “Prince of Cumberland,” the future king of
Scotland. . According to the historical information, Scotland experienced a confusion of dynasty, where
the kingship was granted for the most competent nobleman. Further, despite the accepted fact of his
goodness, most of his trustworthy men ranging from Macdonald to the former thane of Cowder, is
found betraying him. This is more evident in the play as a contrast to the goodness which Duncan
frequently focuses on. Even though he is seemingly a king of proper order and dignity, the cloud of
political corruption and nepotism looms over him.
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