King Duncan in Macbeth Essay

Theres no art to find the minds construction in the face

--King Duncan (Macbeth: I, IV)

King Duncan exclaimed this awe-inspiring quote boldly in I, IV. The depth with which he presents his ideology gives immortality to these words, whose underlying parallelism to the plot has allowed it to play a key role as one of the most extensive themes presented in the text. The notion is explored that one cannot tell the true nature of a man merely by examining his face. Furthermore, one must take notice of the dramatic irony in Duncan's words as he speaks of the traitorous Cawdor, just as the new Thane of Cawdor, Macbeth, walks in to greet him. This is ironic, for Macbeth is only soon to become Duncan's most deceitful betrayer.

A ruler is defined as a leader amongst those who cannot lead themselves and must follow those that are ahead of them. A leader must make wise decisions, and perform objectives that are just. To lead without knowledge will corrupt and destroy the society and bring a metropolis to an extreme halt. Duncan portrays the foolish leader who causes the land onto which he rules to undergo continuous chaos and inner conflict, eventually leading up to his demise. An old proverb claimed that the apple does not fall far from the tree. Thus Malcom, the son of Duncan, said to have made the same mistake that his father has made. This leads to the destruction of the Great Chain of Being, meaning that the society that maintained order is now in disorder.

All the while, Malcom is seen to be the one to prove his father wrong. A time came in the play, when Macduff, a thane from Scotland, came in search for Malcom to take his rightful place amongst the throne. Malcom pushed Macduff to the limits when he invented a false alias not to proceed with the offer. When he witnessed that Macduff would not break in the quote O, Scotland, Scotland, he gave up knowing that Macduff can be trusted.

Shiller, a poet and writer, wrote a letter referring to Shakespearian plays and poetry stating that the plays were never meant to entertain, but in a sense teach the public about the inadvertent truth and the natural good from within. The plays were never supposed to end on a happy note, leaving the public relieved and giving the brain a way to relax. Rather, leave the public in a state of wonder, and deep thought into the future and think of the consequences of the actions taken.

Shakespeare accomplished just that, leaving the public to an awe-inspiring thought as to what might Malcom have committed and what might be a result of his actions. The quote we shall not spend a large expense of time before we reckon with your several loves and make us even with you. My thanes and kinsmen henceforth be earls, the first that ever Scotland in such an honor. This quote suggests that Malcolm will waste no time in appointing new positions. By doing this Malcolm catalyzes the whole tragedy from the beginning again, just as his father did before him.

Shakespeare also illustrates that Macbeth does not see reality as it really exists. When the witches show Macbeth the apparitions portraying all the ways Macbeth will meet his demise. He created his own interpretations benefiting him and using them in his favor.

To see the quote stated by Duncan, as a whole, one can notice that it is false and possible to find the true nature of a person. One must ask the right questions to seek the correct results, as did Malcom to Macduff. The fact that Malcom proved the quote wrong is a direct result of the Great Chain of Being fixing itself.