Macduff

Macduff, Thane of Fife, is amongst the most complex characters of the play as his various personal motivations and beliefs come in conflict with the morality of the world and thus make him conduit for the tragedy Shakespeare depicts. Introduced as loyal, just, and honest, From his first appearance in Act 2, Macduff immediately serves to contrast to Macbeth, and subtly hints as his role as Macbeth’s foil and eventual downfall. Yet these contrasting traits are the same that lead him to abandon his family and condemn them to Macbeth’s wrath, specifically his loyalty to his homeland and King Duncan. In some sense, Macduff is the true tragic hero of the play, not Macbeth.