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| King Duncan | |
|---|---|
| Macbeth character | |
 Lady Macbeth at the bedside of King Duncan (Lady Macbeth by George Cattermole, 1850) | |
| Created by | William Shakespeare |
| Based on | Donnchad mac Crinain (Duncan I) of Scotland |
| In-universe information | |
| Family | Malcolm, elder son and heir Donalbain (Macbeth), younger son Macbeth, first cousin |
King Duncan is a fictional character inShakespeare'sMacbeth. He is the father of two youthful sons (Malcolm andDonalbain), and the victim of a well-plottedregicide in a power grab by his first cousin, and trusted captain,Macbeth. The origin of the character lies in a narrative of the historicalDonnchad mac Crinain,King of Scots, inRaphael Holinshed's 1587The Chronicles of England, Scotland, and Ireland, a history of Britain familiar to Shakespeare and his contemporaries. Unlike Holinshed's incompetent King Duncan (who is credited in the narrative with a "feeble and slothful administration"), Shakespeare's King Duncan is crafted as a sensitive, insightful, and generous father-figure whose murder grieves Scotland and is accounted the cause of turmoil in the natural world.
King Duncan is a father-figure who is very generous and kind. Duncan is also firm ("No more that Thane of Cawdor shall deceive / Our bosom interest. Go pronounce his present death / And with his former title greet Macbeth."[1]), insightful ("There's no art / To find the mind's construction in the face."[2]), and sensitive ("This castle hath a pleasant seat. The air / Nimbly and sweetly recommends itself / Unto our gentle senses."[3]). However, the role is full of irony; he is completely deceived in the intents of Macbeth and therefore may come across as naive. Although a modern reader may view Duncan as an incompetent monarch in this respect, Duncan represents moral order within the play and his murder signals the onset of chaos.
Duncan has been played in film adaptations of the play byAnthony Head in 2008,Gary Sweet in 2006, and Tom Reid in 2003. Javier Ronceros performed the role inDogg's Hamlet, Cahoot's Macbeth (2005) and John Little inMacbeth: The Comedy (2001). Christopher McCann played Duncan inMacbeth in Manhattan (1999). Greg Korin, John Corvin, andAntti Litja played the role in 1998, 1997, and 1987 respectively.Erskine Sanford played King Duncan inOrson Welles'1948 version, Louis Northop in a 1946 film adaptation, and by Nicholas Selby inRoman Polanski's1971 version. InAkira Kurosawa's 1957 filmThrone of Blood, which draws its plot fromMacbeth, the role of Duncan is filled by the character of Lord Tsuzuki, portrayed by Takamaru Sasaki.Spottiswoode Aitken andCharles Kent both played Duncan in silent versions ofMacbeth in 1916 and 1908 (the first screen version of the play).David Thewlis portrayed the part inJustin Kurzel's2015 adaptation.Brendan Gleeson performed the role forJoel Coen in his2021 version.
In Orson Welles' 1948 film adaptation ofMacbeth, the role of King Duncan is reduced. 1.2 is cut entirely as well as generous portions of 1.4. King Duncan is seen briefly in 1.6 as he enters Macbeth's castle amid considerable pomp. The top of 1.4 with its description of Cawdor's execution has been transplanted to this scene. Banquo's "temple-haunting martlet" speech is given to Duncan. Duncan is later seen asleep in bed for a fleeting moment as Lady Macbeth slinks about in the chamber's shadows. Donalbain has been cut from the film, leaving Duncan with just one son, Malcolm.
Vincent Regan played King Duncan in "ShakespeaRe-Told"Macbeth (2005),Ray Winstone inMacbeth on the Estate (1997),Laurence Payne in "Shakespeare: The Animated Tales"Macbeth (1992),Griffith Jones inA Performance of Macbeth (1979), andJacques Mauclair inMacbett (1974),Kevin Coughlin on the "Goodyear Television Playhouse" (1955), andLee Patterson on the "Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Presents"Dream Stuff (1954). Other television performers of the role includePhilip Madoc (1998),Mark Dignam (1983), Powys Thomas (1961),Malcolm Keen (1960),Leo G. Carroll (1949),Arthur Wontner (1949).