In Macbeth, the three characters who come into power as king are represent three different positions on the gender spectrum. While all three characters are male in terms of sex, in terms of gender characterization, Duncan represents the extreme of femininity, Macbeth represents the extreme of masculinity, and Malcolm represents the happy medium.
Macbeth <------> Malcolm <------> Duncan
(Ultra-Masc)-----(Neutral)-----(Ultra-Fem)
Macbeth: The Ultra Masculine
-believes wholly in Absolutism / Authoritarianism; rules with an iron fist; "The Decider"
-kind of a jerk; kills an innocent man, a king, for personal benefit; overly willing to get his hands dirty
-progressively losing his conscience
-reproduction through aggression / murder
-all he does is kill people!
Duncan: The Ultra Feminine
-does not rule with an iron fist, but rather with a very open hand; turns over absolute authority to other characters whom, in the end, betray him
-"kind of a sissy'; in a time of war, has no concept for the safety of a fortress, but is more preoccupied with the decor; not willing to get his hands dirty
-conscience does not come in to play, he's dead / feminine characters don't think (see Lady Macduff)
-dies / line of reproduction is cut-off
-all he does is die!
Malcolm: The Ultra... nothing. The Happy Medium
-willing to solicit help from others, but will test their loyalty first (ie: discussion with Macduff in 4.3)
-fights to regain what is his, for a just cause; willing to get his hands dirty
-has a conscience
-reproductively neutral
-he lives!
If nothing else, think of it this way:
Macbeth's porridge is too hot and his bed is too hard
Duncan's porridge is too cold and his bed is too soft
Molcolm's porridge and bed: just right
Russell Stoll
Group 1D: Waldo
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