In Shakespeare's 'Macbeth', who kills Macbeth?

In Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Macduff kills Macbeth. Their final confrontation occurs after Macbeth’s tyranny has provoked rebellion across Scotland and Malcolm’s forces have advanced on Dunsinane Castle. Macbeth initially trusts the witches’ prophecy that no man born of a woman can harm him, but Macduff reveals that he was delivered by Caesarean section and therefore was not born in the ordinary way Macbeth expected.

The revelation removes Macbeth’s false confidence. Macduff, whose wife and children were murdered on Macbeth’s orders, then defeats and kills the Scottish king in their final fight. He later returns carrying Macbeth’s severed head and presents it to Malcolm, demonstrating that the tyrant has been overthrown and that Malcolm can claim the throne.

Readers sometimes confuse Macduff with Malcolm because Malcolm leads the forces opposing Macbeth and becomes king at the end. Duncan is Macbeth’s earlier victim: Macbeth murders him to seize the crown. Banquo is also killed on Macbeth’s orders, but Banquo’s son Fleance escapes. Macduff is the specific character who personally kills Macbeth in the tragedy’s climactic duel.