Duncan

Family: Scotland · Role: King · First appears: Macbeth · Act I, Scene II

At Saint Colme’s Inch, Duncan receives Norway’s king’s terms, securing ten thousand dollars, and orders the Thane of Cawdor’s execution. He praises his cousin Macbeth as “O valiant cousin! worthy gentleman!” and rewards his service, saying he has begun to plant him and will help him grow. In the same period, Duncan names his eldest son Malcolm Prince of Cumberland and designates him heir, with Donalbain among his sons and kin.

When Duncan comes to Macbeth’s castle as a guest, Lady Macbeth offers him formal loyalty and hospitality, while secretly resolving with Macbeth to arrange his murder and frame his chamberlains. Duncan expresses his trust in Macbeth and welcomes Lady Macbeth as his hostess, unaware of the plot being prepared against him.

Macbeth then departs to kill Duncan, and Duncan is murdered. Macduff reports that the body has been carried to Colmekill; later, Malcolm, “The son of Duncan,” lives at the English court, where Edward receives him with great honor.