King Duncan Quotes & Analysis
Exam Fully Solved!!!
What he hath lost, noble Macbeth hath won' - -Duncan's respect and
admiration towards Macbeth is asserted here by describing the warrior as
'noble'. This also portrays Duncan's kind and uplifting nature and how if he is
being so grateful towards Macbeth, it is only right if the feeling is
reciprocated.
-'There's no art to find the mind's construction in the face' - -Duncan's
comment here could link to 'fair is foul and foul is fair' as he states hoe one
cannot truly tell another motives. This could perhaps be foreshadowing
Macbeth turning his back on his King and murdering him.
-'Honor, like stars, shall shine on all deservers' - -Shakespeare utilises irony
here, as Macbeth murders Duncan in the night, disproving this statement.
The comparison of honor and the stars also indicates that this honor Duncan
speaks of is predetermined and is down to fate. This could suggest that
Macbeth's demise was already decided and there was nothing he could do to
stop it.
-'How you shall bid God yield us for your pains, and thank us for your
trouble' - -Duncan repeatedly praises Lady Macbeth, ironically, unaware of
her plans to murder him. Whilst this portrays him to be grateful and humble,
it also shows how the King may be too trustworthy for his own good and
foreshadows it will lead to his untimely death.
-And his great love, which is as sharp as his spur, helped him beat us here.
Fair and noble hostess, we are your guests tonight. - -Duncan assumes
Macbeth is there for brave and heroic reasons, not his true evil intentions.
This further emphasizes Duncan's trusting and grateful nature. He also views
Lady Macbeth to be 'fair' where we as an audience believe her to be foul.
-'He was a gentleman on whom I built an absolute trust' - -Duncan is here
referring to the old Thane of Cawdor and how he was betrayed by him. This
could foreshadow Macbeth's later betrayal when he commits regicide. This
also shows the audience that King Duncan is hopeful and trusting, good and
admirable traits for a leader.
-'My plenteous joys, seek to hide themselves in drops of sorrow' - -King
Duncan is crying for joy, perhaps showing the audience that he is too
trusting of those around him and foreshadowing this fatal flaw may lead to
his demise.
Exam Fully Solved!!!
What he hath lost, noble Macbeth hath won' - -Duncan's respect and
admiration towards Macbeth is asserted here by describing the warrior as
'noble'. This also portrays Duncan's kind and uplifting nature and how if he is
being so grateful towards Macbeth, it is only right if the feeling is
reciprocated.
-'There's no art to find the mind's construction in the face' - -Duncan's
comment here could link to 'fair is foul and foul is fair' as he states hoe one
cannot truly tell another motives. This could perhaps be foreshadowing
Macbeth turning his back on his King and murdering him.
-'Honor, like stars, shall shine on all deservers' - -Shakespeare utilises irony
here, as Macbeth murders Duncan in the night, disproving this statement.
The comparison of honor and the stars also indicates that this honor Duncan
speaks of is predetermined and is down to fate. This could suggest that
Macbeth's demise was already decided and there was nothing he could do to
stop it.
-'How you shall bid God yield us for your pains, and thank us for your
trouble' - -Duncan repeatedly praises Lady Macbeth, ironically, unaware of
her plans to murder him. Whilst this portrays him to be grateful and humble,
it also shows how the King may be too trustworthy for his own good and
foreshadows it will lead to his untimely death.
-And his great love, which is as sharp as his spur, helped him beat us here.
Fair and noble hostess, we are your guests tonight. - -Duncan assumes
Macbeth is there for brave and heroic reasons, not his true evil intentions.
This further emphasizes Duncan's trusting and grateful nature. He also views
Lady Macbeth to be 'fair' where we as an audience believe her to be foul.
-'He was a gentleman on whom I built an absolute trust' - -Duncan is here
referring to the old Thane of Cawdor and how he was betrayed by him. This
could foreshadow Macbeth's later betrayal when he commits regicide. This
also shows the audience that King Duncan is hopeful and trusting, good and
admirable traits for a leader.
-'My plenteous joys, seek to hide themselves in drops of sorrow' - -King
Duncan is crying for joy, perhaps showing the audience that he is too
trusting of those around him and foreshadowing this fatal flaw may lead to
his demise.
