Macduff

Also known as: Duff · Family: Scotland · Role: nobleman · First appears: Macbeth · Act II, Scene III

Macduff, a nobleman of Scotland, shows fealty to Duncan in Act II, Scene III, explaining that he was commanded to call on him and had nearly missed the hour: “He did command me to call timely on him. I have almost slipp’d the hour.” He is Ross’s cousin, but by Act III he is an enemy of Macbeth, refusing Macbeth’s summons and remaining in disgrace. At the English court, Macduff seeks Edward’s aid to awaken Northumberland and Siward against Macbeth, joining Malcolm’s cause.

In Act IV, Macbeth is warned to beware Macduff, who has fled to England, and Macbeth resolves to kill him. Malcolm reveals that his claimed vices were false, while Ross tells Macduff that his castle has been seized and his wife, children, and servants slaughtered. Macduff turns this grief into a vow to confront Macbeth and kill him.

In Act V, Macduff marches with Malcolm, Siward, Menteith, Caithness, Angus, Lennox, and Ross as allies toward Birnam wood, where the army casts down its leafy screens before attacking. Macduff kills Macbeth, reveals that he was delivered by caesarean birth, and presents Macbeth’s severed head to Malcolm. He then gives fealty to Malcolm as king: “Hail, King, for so thou art.”