al speech of the play, Malcolm demonstrates his fitness for kingship. Macbeth has been killed, and Malcolm is about to be crowned. Like his father, in Act I, Malcolm's first concern is to reward those who have helped him. The speech is full of images of divine grace and natural order. DUNCAN The King makes his final exit before the end of Act I, and he is murdered offstage early in Act II. Not having a lot of time to develop Duncan's character, Shakespeare works in broad, clear strokes. Duncan is "a most sainted king" (Act IV, Scene iii, line 109), as Macduff calls him. His murder is a crime that has no justification. Even Macbeth calls him "the gracious Duncan" (Act III, Scene i, line 66). We know that Duncan is old- otherwise he would be in combat with his army. Owing to his age, he has to anxiously await word from the field. His generosity is clearly demonstrated by the way he treats Macbeth. He rewards the noble Macbeth immediately after hearing about his bravery. Duncan is also gracious to Lady Macbeth. Even though he is actually honoring Macbeth and his wife by spending the night at their castle, he behaves as if they were doing him a favor. The person who best sums up Duncan's nature is his murderer- Macbeth: "...this Duncan / Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been / So clear in his great office, that his virtues / Will plead like angels..." (Act I, Scene vii, lines 16-19). MACDUFF Macduff is Macbeth's major adversary. Malcolm is the rightful king and leads the forces to overthrow the tyrant, but Macduff is a thorn in Macbeth's side from the beginning. In the end, he kills Macbeth. Until the murder of his wife and children, Macduff has not been hurt personally by Macbeth. He opposes Macbeth because he knows right from wrong. He never wants the crown for himself. His desire is to see the rightful king on the throne. He refuses to play games. He will not attend Macbeth's crowning or put in an appearance at the tyrant's feast j...
