King Duncan Quotes

King Duncan on Thane of Cawdor

There’s no art
To find the mind’s construction in the face.
He was a gentleman on whom I built
An absolute trust.

– William Shakespeare

Macbeth, Act 1, Scene 4. Duncan remarks on how he was deceived by the Thane of Cawdor, who has been executed for the crime of treason. The King is shocked at how he was betrayed by a man whom he had absolute trust in. What Duncan is saying is that you can’t judge a book by its cover, or read someone’s mind by looking at their face. There is irony in the fact that Duncan trusted Cawdor who turned out to be a traitor. There is further irony in that this quote is followed by the stage instructions, “Enter Macbeth.” Macbeth is about to be given the vacant title of Cawdor by Duncan and he will also become a traitor. Duncan fails to see this coming too.

Would thou hadst less deserved…
More is thy due than more than all can pay.

– William Shakespeare

Macbeth, Act 1, Scene 4. The gracious King Duncan heaps praise on Macbeth for helping to defeat Scotland’s enemies and save his throne. He tells Macbeth that he owes him more than he could ever pay. There is much irony here, since we know that the disloyal Macbeth has his eye on the throne and the King will later pay with his life when he is murdered by Macbeth. Duncan’s praise for the new Thane of Cawdor shows us that things are not always as they appear to be.

Our eldest, Malcolm, whom we name hereafter
The Prince of Cumberland; which honour must
Not unaccompanied invest him only,
But signs of nobleness, like stars, shall shine
On all deservers.

– William Shakespeare

Macbeth, Act 1, Scene 4. Duncan confers the title of Prince of Cumberland on his son Malcolm, making him first in line to the Scottish throne. Using a “stars” simile, he says that new noble titles will be conferred on other deserving people also. Duncan’s act of elevating his son to this position and not Macbeth costs the King his life in Act 1, Scene 5.

This castle hath a pleasant seat; the air
Nimbly and sweetly recommends itself
Unto our gentle senses.

– William Shakespeare

Macbeth, Act 1, Scene 6. As Duncan approaches Macbeth’s home, he comments on the castle’s pleasant setting and also how sweet the air around it is. This is a good example of dramatic irony, because the audience is aware that Duncan is complimenting his death chamber. To the “gentle” Duncan the appearance of a pleasant atmosphere is far different from the reality of the horrible fate the Macbeths have planned for him. Appearances can deceive.
Duncan on love in Macbeth

See, see, our honour’d hostess!
The love that follows us sometime is our trouble,
Which still we thank as love. Herein I teach you
How you shall bid God ‘ield us for your pains,
And thank us for your trouble.

– William Shakespeare

Macbeth, Act 1, Scene 6. There is a grand irony in King Duncan’s words, as he thanks his hostess for her love and hospitality and jokes about how people go to a lot of trouble for him. He doesn’t realize that the kind of reception Lady Macbeth has in store of him – she plans to kill him that night!

Besides, this Duncan
Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been
So clear in his great office, that his virtues
Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued, against
The deep damnation of his taking-off;
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.

– William Shakespeare

Macbeth, Act 1, Scene 7. In this soliloquy Macbeth is struggling with the idea of murdering Duncan, a good man who has been an exemplary King. He recognizes Duncan’s virtues and uses a simile to equate them to angels crying out against his murder. A complicated simile and metaphor follows, likening the pity for the murdered King to a newborn baby or angel riding the wind to spread news of this horrible deed throughout the land. Shakespeare also personifies “virtues” and “pity” in this passage.
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