Final answer:
In Shakespeare's 'Macbeth,' Duncan is represented as a noble and generous king, illustrating the ideal qualities of kingship such as fairness, generosity, and trust. He rewards loyalty and bravery, emphasizes the importance of a clear line of succession, and his trusting nature leads to his tragic downfall.
Step-by-step explanation:
In William Shakespeare's Macbeth, Duncan is represented as a noble and generous king, embodying the ideal qualities of kingship. Duncan's rule is characterized by fairness, as seen when he decides to bestow the title of Cawdor on Macbeth to reward his bravery and loyalty. He demonstrates his generous nature by openly praising the qualities of his subjects, highlighting their nobleness and virtues, as well as trusting them too readily, potentially to a fault as it leads to his downfall. Unlike the deceitful Macbeth, Duncan is an honest and just ruler, conveying the contrast between good and bad leadership within the theme of kingship.
His decree to establish his son, Malcolm, as the Prince of Cumberland showcases his forward-looking mindset in ensuring the stability of the kingdom through a clear line of succession. Additionally, Duncan's language, filled with statements acknowledging the worth of others and expressing gratitude, emphasizes his diplomatic and magnanimous demeanor. Shakespeare utilizes Duncan's characterization to illustrate how a king should be compassionate and reward those deserving, a stark contrast to Macbeth's later tyranny and ambition.
Duncan's inability to 'find the mind's construction in the face' reflects the theme that appearances can be deceptive, a recurring motif. This naivety, while a flaw, further cements Duncan's image as a moral and just monarch, who is victimized by the treacherous Macbeth.