MACDUFF

a nobleman of Scotland who becomes Macbeth's nemesis in Shakespeare's Macbeth. Having joined the army of Malcolm against Macbeth, Macduff learns that Macbeth has slaughtered his wife, children, and servants. His great grief at this slaughter lends passion to his antityrannical philosophy. His birth by cesarean section makes him fulfill the prophecy of the Weird Sisters that no man of woman born will slay Macbethupon encountering the deluded Macbeth, Macduff reveals that he was untimely ripped from his mother's womb.