| Macduff | |
|---|---|
| Macbeth character | |
&sq=Qlik&lang=&file=File:John_Langford_Pritchard_as_Macduff_in_%27Macbeth%27.jpg) John Langford Pritchard as Macduff, depicted by Richard James Lane in 1838 | |
| Created by | William Shakespeare |
| In-universe information | |
| Alias | Thane of Fife |
| Affiliation | King Duncan King Malcolm |
| Spouse | Lady Macduff; deceased |
| Children | Young Macduff, son; deceased Unnamed children; deceased |
Lord Macduff, the Thane of Fife, is a character and the heroic main antagonist in William Shakespeare's Macbeth (c.1603–1607) that is loosely based on history. Macduff, a legendary hero, plays a pivotal role in the play: he suspects Macbeth of regicide and eventually kills Macbeth in the final act. He can be seen as the avenging hero who helps save Scotland from Macbeth's tyranny in the play.
The character is first known from Chronica Gentis Scotorum (late 14th century) and Orygynale Cronykil of Scotland (early 15th century). Shakespeare drew mostly from Holinshed's Chronicles (1587).
Although characterised sporadically throughout the play, Macduff serves as a foil to Macbeth and a figure of morality.