Macduff
Cesarean-born nemesis
Macduff is a Scottish nobleman in Shakespeare's *Macbeth* who becomes the instrument of the tyrant's downfall.
Having discovered Duncan's murder and later fled to England, Macduff returns to kill Macbeth—fulfilling the witches' prophecy that no man "of woman born" could harm him, since Macduff was delivered by cesarean section.
Lay on, Macduff is often misquoted as "lead on."
Retribution dealer
- retributionPunishment for wrongdoing
- revengePunishing a wrongdoer
- wrathFierce, punishing anger
- furyIntense violent anger
retaliation · nemesis · bloodshed · justice · payback · reprisal · feud · grudge
East Scottish peninsula
- noblemanMale of aristocratic rank
- MalcolmGaelic name, saint's follower
- MacbethAmbitious thane's downfall
- DuncanScottish masculine given name
Banquo · Ross · Lennox · witches · Shakespeare · tragedy · protagonist · Scottish play
Being without something
- slaughterKilling for meat
- familyRelated people together
- wifeFemale marriage partner
- childrenYoung human beings
massacre · mourning · bereavement · anguish · sorrow · devastation · lamentation · innocents
Loyalty owed to authority
- MalcolmGaelic name, saint's follower
- fealtyPledged devotion to authority
- devotionDeep, loyal commitment
- patriotismDevotion to one's homeland
faithfulness · steadfastness · exile · England · resistance · honor · duty · trustworthiness
Courage in danger
- courageFortitude facing danger
- tyrannicideMurder of oppressive sovereign
- liberatorOne who frees others
- championTop competitor, or advocate
bravery · gallantry · fortitude · fearlessness · sword · combat · final battle · usurper
Surgical childbirth method
- unbornNot yet delivered
- loopholeExploitable gap in rules
- fatePredetermined course of events
- doomUnavoidable grim fate
witches · apparition · equivocation · fulfillment · oracle · destined · foretold
avenger
Retribution dealer
- retributionPunishment for wrongdoing
- revengePunishing a wrongdoer
- wrathFierce, punishing anger
fury · retaliation · nemesis · bloodshed · justice · payback · reprisal · feud · grudge · comeuppance
Fife
East Scottish peninsula
- noblemanMale of aristocratic rank
- MalcolmGaelic name, saint's follower
- MacbethAmbitious thane's downfall
Duncan · Banquo · Ross · Lennox · witches · Shakespeare · tragedy · protagonist · Scottish play · foil
loss
Being without something
children · massacre · mourning · bereavement · anguish · sorrow · devastation · lamentation · innocents · tragedy
allegiance
Loyalty owed to authority
- MalcolmGaelic name, saint's follower
- fealtyPledged devotion to authority
- devotionDeep, loyal commitment
patriotism · faithfulness · steadfastness · exile · England · resistance · honor · duty · trustworthiness · commitment
valor
Courage in danger
- courageFortitude facing danger
- tyrannicideMurder of oppressive sovereign
- liberatorOne who frees others
champion · bravery · gallantry · fortitude · fearlessness · sword · combat · final battle · usurper · justice
caesarean
Surgical childbirth method
doom · witches · apparition · equivocation · fulfillment · oracle · destined · foretold