KING DUNCAN
What he says:
"There's no art/ To find the mind's construction in the face./ He was a gentleman on whom I built/ An absolute trust." (1.4.13-6)
When Duncan says this line in Act 1 Scene 4, it shows the audience, or reader, of the play that Duncan is severely troubled over how not only one, but two Scots that he trusted had betrayed their country. He doesn't expect it to happen because everybody had seemed so happy or content with the way he was ruling things.
"This castle hath a pleasant seat. The air/ Nimbly and sweetly recommends itself/ Unto our gentle senses." (1.6.1-3)
This line that Duncan says is full-on dramatic irony at its best. It seems to be an important, or at least notable, quotation because the audience knows that soon after Duncan arrives at Macbeth's castle, he is going to be murdered. His murder seems to be the basis for acts 1 and 2, and Duncan's purely ironic line just emphasizes it to the audience or reader.
"Welcome hither./ I have begun to plant thee and will labor/ To make thee full of growing." (1.4.31-3)
This quotation is actually a metaphor. Duncan is metaphorically comparing his kingdom to a garden. People normally tend to gardens with extra care and do everything in their power to make sure the plants in the garden are healthy and well. Duncan compares his kingdom to a garden because the way one would treat a garden is exactly the same way he is treating his kingdom. He treats them with extra care and does everything in his power to make sure every soul is as healthy and well as possible. It just shows just how much he cares about his subjects.
"No more that Thane of Cawdor shall deceive/ Our bosom interest. Go, pronounce his present/ death, / And with his former title greet Macbeth." (1.2.73-6)
Obviously, Duncan is upset that the Thane of Cawdor has deceived him, and knows that he must find a replacement immediately. The first person that comes to mind is one he knows he can trust and won't turn on him, no matter what the situation is - Macbeth. By naming Macbeth the new Thane of Cawdor, Duncan feels reassured that there will be no more traitors or anything else tragic popping up any time soon.
What he does:
"What, sir, not yet at rest? The King's abed./ He hath been in unusual pleasure, and/ Sent forth great largess to your offices./ This diamond he greets your wife withal,/ By the name of most kind hostess, and shut up/ In measureless content." (2.1.15-20)
This quotation shows just how generous King Duncan is. Not too many people would stay at another person's home, and give their hostess a diamond because they thought they were so great. Duncan, on the other hand, is so kind and generous that he feels it is the best way to show how much he appreciates the Macbeths hospitality.
"No more that Thane of Cawdor shall deceive/ Our bosom interest. Go, pronounce his present/ death, / And with his former title greet Macbeth." (1.2.73-6)
When Duncan learns that the Thane of Cawdor has betrayed Scotland, he strips the Thane of Cawdor of his title and gives it to Macbeth. He clearly trusts Macbeth so much as to name him this title, and feels that nobody else, at this point, would be better suited to have said title.
"Is execution done on Cawdor? Are not/ Those in commission yet returned?" (1.4.1-2)
When Duncan learns that Scotland has been betrayed by the Thane of Cawdor, he decides immediately that he must be executed, for how else would one go about getting rid of such a horrible traitor? He knows what must be done, and sets out for this action to take place as soon as possible.
"We will establish our estate upon/ Our eldest, Malcolm, whom we name hereafter/ The Prince of Cumberland." (1.4.43-5)
Being the king of Scotland, Duncan has quite a bit of say in who should be king after he has passed away. Also because he is king, he should have good judgment on whoever he has chosen to be the next king. When he chose Malcolm, his oldest son, to be his heir, he clearly knew what he was doing and knew that the people of Scotland would be comfortable under Malcolm's rule once Duncan had died.
Duncan partakes in the battle against Norway. He defends his country, Scotland, against the rebellion and any other attacks that may occur. Although there are no good quotations to show just how much he was partaking in the battle, Duncan was indeed present during the battle. This shows a great dedication to his country, and show the people of Scotland just how much Duncan cares about their well-being.
What he thinks:
"We will establish our estate upon/ Our eldest, Malcolm, whom we name hereafter/ The Prince of Cumberland." (1.4.43-5)
This quotation reveals to the audience, or reader, of the play that Duncan clearly thinks his oldest son, Malcolm, would make a fitting king and definitely deserves to be the next king of Scotland when Duncan passes away.
"There's no art/ To find the mind's construction in the face./ He was a gentleman on whom I built/ An absolute trust." (1.4.13-6)
This quotation reveals to the audience, or reader, that Duncan is feeling very betrayed by the fact that the Thane of Cawdor had deceived him and gone to help Norway in the rebellion against Scotland. He felt cheated that the Thane of Cawdor had made it seem as if he was on Scotland's side and was going to put all his effort into helping Scotland win in any battle in which the country is engaged.
"Is execution done on Cawdor? Are not/ Those in commission yet returned?" (1.4.1-2)
At this point, Duncan is feeling completely betrayed by the Thane of Cawdor, who had helped Norway in their battle against Scotland. He seems to think that the best and most efficient way to berid of such a terrible traitor is to execute them.
"No more that Thane of Cawdor shall deceive/ Our bosom interest. Go, pronounce his present/ death, / And with his former title greet Macbeth." (1.2.73-6)
What Duncan is thinking is pretty clear when he says this line during the play. He is clearly thinking that Macbeth is the most appropriate choice to name the next Thane of Cawdor, for he helped greatly in the rebellion against Scotland and he is incredibly loyal to his country and king.
Duncan thinks that being a traitor is the absolute worst thing one can do to their country. When he learns that two of his people have betrayed him, he becomes distraught and doesn't know what he is going to do with them both. Since Macbeth had already killed Macdonwald during the battle against Norway, Duncan decided to execute the Thane of Cawdor because it was what Duncan felt he deserved for betraying his country.
What others think about him:
"The King's abed./ He hath been in unusual pleasure, and/ Sent forth great largess to your offices." (2.1.15-7)
Banquo seems to think that Duncan is unusually happy on the night of his murder. This reveals to the reader that Duncan is thought to be a usually happy man. Banquo seems to think so, at the least, for he is saying that the king is unusually happy and has sent a great gift to Macbeth's wife.
"Had he not resembled/ My father as he slept, I had done 't." (2.2.16-7)
When Lady Macbeth is waiting for Macbeth to return from killing Duncan, she starts worrying about what is taking Macbeth so long. She starts to wonder if it was a good idea to let Macbeth do the actual killing of Duncan, or if she should have been the one to do it instead. She reveals to the audience that had Duncan not resembled her father, it would have been an easy task for her to commit the murder. But, because Duncan did resemble her father, she could find no way possible to kill him without having any emotional attachment to him.
"The service and the loyalty I owe/ In doing it pays itself. Your Highness' part/ Is to receive our duties, and our duties/ Are to your throne and state and children and servants,/ Which do but what they should by doing everything/ Safe toward your love and honor." (1.4.25-30)
Macbeth says this line during his speech in Act 1 Scene 4. He is talking to Duncan after the battle against Norway. Macbeth tells Duncan that he is a very good king, and anybody would have done just as much as Macbeth did, had they gotten the chance, for everybody seems to be extremely loyal to the king. He says that he fought out of loyalty to Scotland and her king, and winning the battle is a 'prize' enough on its own.
"All our service,/ In every point twice done and then done double,/ Were poor and single business to contend/ Against those honors deep and broad wherewith/ Your Majesty loads our house. For those of old,/ And the elate dignities heaped up to them,/ We rest your hermits." (1.6.19-24) (worth all the trouble)
Although the reader knows that Lady Macbeth is lying to the King at this point in the play, it still reveals what she, and possibly others, think about Duncan. When Duncan compliments Lady Macbeth on how the castle looks, she just waves it away and tells him that he is definitely worth all the trouble she would have gone through. Anybody would have done the same thing for him, because of how excellent of a king he is.
"He's here in double trust:/ First, as I am his kinsman and his subject,/ Strong both against the deed; then, as his host,/ Who whould against his murderer shut the door,/ Not bear the knife myself." (1.7.12-6) (he's such a good king, feels bad killing him)
Here we have Macbeth giving another speech, this one being just before he goes to kill Duncan. This quotation shows that even though Macbeth is about to kill him, he still thinks Duncan was an excellent king. In fact, he might have been such a great king that Macbeth has started to waver upon whether to kill Duncan or not. We all know that he has made up his mind and decides to kill Duncan, no matter how bad he may feel for committing the murder.
