Lady Macduff, though only present for a single scene, leaves quite the impact in the brief time she is present. Strong-willed and strong-tongued, she is an example of Shakespeare writing a truly strong and good female character, as she shows nothing but care and dedication to the safety of her family. It is no wonder that Lady Macduff, much like her husband is for Macbeth, serves as a foil to Lady Macbeth, highlighting the dark parallels between them. Whereas Lady Macbeth is initially shown as cunning and unsatisfied with her female identity, Lady Macduff is blunt and fiercely loyal to her role as a mother. Lady Macbeth descends into madness near her death, unable to protect herself or her husband in the war to come, possibly giving up hope and committing suicide. Lady Macduff, dies crying out the warning for the rest of her family and household to flee, displaying one last act of bravery before her demise. It is these contrasts that lie at the heart of Lady Macduff’s character and makes her murder all the more tragic, as Shakespeare – in a single scene – creates a character deep enough to elicit sympathy from his audience.
