# King Duncan — Macbeth character guide

> King Duncan in Macbeth by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Duncan Dismay'd, Duncan True, this Duncan Hath, The unguarded Duncan, Wake Duncan, The gracious Duncan

**First appearance:** 0000-macbeth

## Snapshot

Scotland's gracious king, whose generous naming of his son as heir sets the tragedy in motion the moment he enters Macbeth's castle.

## Who they are

Duncan is a ruler whose virtues are so clear in his great office that they plead like angels, and whose trust in his host is absolute enough to make him the perfect guest. He rewards Macbeth with the title of Cawdor, names Malcolm Prince of Cumberland, and arrives at Inverness full of joy and gratitude. His warmth is the measure against which every later act of treachery will be judged, and his death is the hinge on which the whole play turns.

## In the story

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/macbeth_se/chapters/act-i-scene-ii)

King Duncan arrives at the camp, receives reports of the battle, and orders the Thane of Cawdor's execution while granting his title to Macbeth.

### [Scene IV: The Naming of the Prince of Cumberland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/macbeth_se/chapters/act-i-scene-iv)

Duncan reflects on the executed Thane of Cawdor, noting the difficulty of reading a man's mind from his face. He warmly greets Macbeth and Banquo, and names Malcolm as Prince of Cumberland.

### [Scene V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/macbeth_se/chapters/act-i-scene-v)

Mentioned as arriving at Inverness that night, making him the target of Lady Macbeth's murder plot.

### [Scene VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/macbeth_se/chapters/act-i-scene-vi)

Arrives at Macbeth's castle, praises the pleasant air, and expresses affection for Macbeth.

### [Scene VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/macbeth_se/chapters/act-i-scene-vii)

Mentioned as the trusting guest and virtuous king whom Macbeth plans to kill.

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/macbeth_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-ii)

Mentioned as the victim of Macbeth's murder, lying dead in the castle.

### [Scene IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/macbeth_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-iv)

Duncan's body has been carried to Colmekill, the burial place of his predecessors.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/macbeth_se/characters/duncan
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/macbeth_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/macbeth_se/characters