It appears you are refering to the section of this scene
in which Duncan responds to Macbeth's words of allegiance and loyalty and then also
praises Banquo, expressing the desire to give them the power and position that they
deserve for their acts of valour and the way that they have worked to support his
position in the battle. Note what he says:
I have begun to plant thee, and will
labour
To make thee full of growing.--Noble
Banquo,
That hast no less deserv'd, nor must be
known
No less to have done so, let me infold
thee,
And hold thee to my
heart.
The way in which
Duncan uses a metaphor to describe his role of King and the way that he helps his
faithful Lords to "grow," having been "planted" by him, points towards Duncan's honesty
and simple view of the world. We have already been told that he was completely taken in
by the former treacherous Thane of Cawdor, as Duncan himself says that he put "an
absolute trust" in this traitor, indicating that he is somewhat naive as a character in
whom he trusts. This rather simple, agricultural image of how Duncan sees his role as
King seems to support our impression of him as a well-meaning leader who is nevertheless
unequipped with the Machiavellian understanding that is so essential for his survival,
and leaves him open to Macbeth's evil schemes. He, unlike other characters, does not
pretend to be anything else than he is: a kind, worthy, noble
king.
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