Lady Macduff

Lady Macduff was a character in William Shakespeare's play Macbeth.

She was first mentioned in Act IV Scene I when Lenox told King Macbeth that her husband, Macduff, had fled to England. In response to hearing this, Macbeth proclaimed he would seize Fife and put his wife and children to "the sword". In an early draft of the play, the Doctor and Jamie overheard this conversation and resolved to offer their services to the King with the intent of avoiding any bloodshed. Lady Macduff appeared in Act IV Scene II, set in Macduff's castle, where she encountered the Doctor. He told her to flee and, when she asked why, he informed her that Macbeth had accused Macduff of high treason and ordered him to the castle to kill her that night. After Jamie assured her they would testify to her death to make sure nobody else pursued her, she left with her children. Jamie later inquired as to whether they would be alright to which the Doctor offered his opinion that he "expect[ed] so" if they "[lay] low for a while". Macbeth was removed from the throne soon afterwards by an army amassed by Macduff and Malcolm. (PROSE: The True Tragedie of Macbeth)