King Duncan is a character from William Shakespeare's play, Macbeth. He is the King of Scotland at the beginning of the story and is portrayed as a kind and benevolent ruler. His leadership is marked by a sense of justice and loyalty, which earns him the respect of his subjects. Duncan's reign is cut short when he becomes a victim of Macbeth's ambition. After being invited to Macbeth's castle, he is murdered in a plot driven by Macbeth's desire for power. Duncan's death sets off a chain of events that leads to chaos and tragedy in Scotland.