King-becoming graces

In Act 4 Scene 3, his list of ‘the king-becoming graces’ includes ‘mercy’ and ‘lowliness’, placing compassion and humility alongside courage. The accumulation of virtues makes kingship a demanding moral responsibility, not merely a position inherited from Duncan. At the ending, Malcolm begins to put this ideal into practice: his promise to reward supporters recalls Duncan's generosity, while his statement that Young Siward is ‘worth more sorrow’ shows concern for an individual life lost in achieving victory.