King Duncan Analysis

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  • Created by: shahkrita
  • Created on: 01-10-18 09:40
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  • King Duncan
    • Establishes Macbeth's high status character
      • "O valiant cousin, noble gentleman" when hearing of Macbeth's battle
        • "Gentleman": high status + masculinity- given after Macbeth kills people in battle
          • By promoting idea of violence= power, Duncan unwittingly caused his own death
    • Fair ruler- acts structurally
      • Can be ruthless
      • Also delivers praise
        • "Go pronounce his present death(old Thane)...with his former title greet Macbeth"
          • Can be ruthless
    • Genuine, well-respected leader presiding over an ordered society
      • Macbeth: "his silver skin" and "golden blood"
        • These colours + precious metals have regal, positive connotations of value
      • When Duncan dies: nature is disordered- day and night get blurred + "Duncan's horses eat each other"
      • Jacobean Era: Chain of Being, so if you commit regicide, it's a grand violation of the universe, society etc
        • Measure of power + stature: when Duncan dies, entire world begins to fail
          • Would have pandered to King James 1
          • When Duncan dies: nature is disordered- day and night get blurred + "Duncan's horses eat each other"
    • Used to magnify Macbeth's incompetency to rule + juxtaposes Macbeth
      • Eg, feast + inability to kill Fleance
    • Too naive- gullible + easily deceived
      • "There is no art to find the mind's construction in the face"
        • Hard for Duncan to know what people are actually thinking
      • Deceived by two Thane of Cawdors- original + Macbeth
        • Hard for Duncan to know what people are actually thinking
      • OR: Could add to dramatic irony
        • Duncan shows up at Macbeth's castle, just after audience heard Macbeth's regicidal plans
          • "This castle hath a pleasant seat"
        • King Duncan
          • Establishes Macbeth's high status character
            • "O valiant cousin, noble gentleman" when hearing of Macbeth's battle
              • "Gentleman": high status + masculinity- given after Macbeth kills people in battle
                • By promoting idea of violence= power, Duncan unwittingly caused his own death
          • Fair ruler- acts structurally
            • Also delivers praise
              • "Go pronounce his present death(old Thane)...with his former title greet Macbeth"
            • Genuine, well-respected leader presiding over an ordered society
              • Macbeth: "his silver skin" and "golden blood"
                • These colours + precious metals have regal, positive connotations of value
              • Jacobean Era: Chain of Being, so if you commit regicide, it's a grand violation of the universe, society etc
                • Measure of power + stature: when Duncan dies, entire world begins to fail
                  • Would have pandered to King James 1
            • Used to magnify Macbeth's incompetency to rule + juxtaposes Macbeth
              • Eg, feast + inability to kill Fleance
            • Too naive- gullible + easily deceived
              • "There is no art to find the mind's construction in the face"
                • Deceived by two Thane of Cawdors- original + Macbeth
                  • OR: Could add to dramatic irony
                    • Duncan shows up at Macbeth's castle, just after audience heard Macbeth's regicidal plans
                      • "This castle hath a pleasant seat"

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