Macduff's children

The children of Macduff and Lady Macduff were characters in William Shakespeare's play Macbeth.

They were first mentioned in Act IV Scene I when Lenox told King Macbeth that 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. The children appeared with their mother in Act IV Scene II, set in Macduff's castle, though did not speak themselves. After the Doctor told Lady Macduff of the danger her family was in due to Macbeth accusing Macduff of high treason and ordering those in his castle killed that night, as well as after hearing assurances from Jamie that they would testify to their deaths to make sure nobody else pursued them, Lady Macbeth fled 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)