King Duncan: The Innocent Victim
Duncan represents everything good about righteous kingship - he's generous, trusting, and genuinely cares about his subjects. His tragic flaw is being too trusting, admitting he built "an absolute trust" in the original Thane of Cawdor who betrayed him, ironically foreshadowing Macbeth's later betrayal.
Duncan's divine imagery throughout the play emphasises his connection to God and legitimate royal authority. When Macduff discovers his murdered body, he describes Duncan's "silver skin lac'd with his golden blood", using precious metal imagery to show Duncan's inherent value and divinity.
The dramatic irony reaches its peak as Duncan praises Macbeth's loyalty while staying in the very castle where Macbeth plans to murder him. Duncan's genuine gratitude and trust make his murder seem even more heinous - he's not just killing a king, but someone who truly cares about him.
Key Point: Duncan's murder represents the ultimate violation of hospitality, loyalty, and divine order - Shakespeare shows that some crimes are so unnatural they corrupt the entire world around them.