Sc. 2, Lines 3–17: Identify and explain the irony in these lines. Why does Lady Macduff tell her son that his father is dead, even though the boy heard her discussion with Ross?

Answer 1

Great question! Lady Macduff does not literally mean that Macduff is dead or has been killed, rather she is telling her son he is emotionally dead to their family. Since he fled their home out of fear, she does not believe he is a strong or worthy enough man do be considered a "father," therefore she informs her son the man he knew is gone.