Characters


Macbeth


Macbeth sees that there will be a public outcry following Duncan’s death, that will serve as a testimony to his virtuousness: ‘And pity, like a naked new-born babe, Striding the blast, or heaven’s cherubim, horsed Upon the sightless couriers of the air, Shall blow the horrid deed in every eye, That tears shall drown the wind’ (Act 1, Sc 7)


Trusting Duncan is also a very trusting character and this is perhaps his downfall. He recognises this characteristic in himself. He relates how he placed too much trust in the former Thane of Cawdor who then betrayed him: ‘There’s no art To find the mind’s construction in the face: He was a gentleman on whom I built An absolute trust’ (Act 1, Sc 4)


This foreshadows Macbeth’s breach of trust. A wiser king may have taken stricter measures to guarantee his own safety and shown better judgement of character.


Saintly Duncan is presented as a saintly figure, particularly after his death. Macduff uses religious terminology upon discoveringDuncan’s body, comparing himto a sacred temple: ‘Most sacrilegious murder hath broke ope / The Lord’s anointed temple, and stole thence / The life o’ the building’ (Act 2, Sc 3). Macduff reinforces this idea later in the play by describing Duncan as ‘a most sainted king’ (Act 4, Sc 3). Ross clearly links Duncan to heaven when he speaks to the old man about the strange darkness that clouds the sky after Duncan’s death: ‘Thou seest, the heavens, as troubled with man’s act, / Threaten his bloody stage: by the clock, ‘tis day, / And yet dark night strangles the travelling lamp’ (Act 2, Sc 4).


Innocent victim Duncan’s virtuous nature, trusting personality and saintly qualities evoke the audience’s sympathy.These traits add to the idea of himas an innocent victim,makingMacbeth’s crimes seem all the more despicable. However, Duncan is not fully developed as a character in the play as Shakespeare’s intention is to keep the audience focused on the tragic figure of Macbeth.


Duncan:


Avirtuous king Trusting  Saintly


 Innocent victim


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