In addition to his role as a foil to Macbeth, Macduff presents the audience with a different perspective of male gender roles, in which manhood is viewed, not in terms of one’s ranking (i.e. soldier or political leader), but by one’s ability to maintain a healthy balance between action and emotion. For example, upon learning that his wife and children were mercilessly slaughtered by Macbeth’s henchmen, Macduff declares that not only will he dispute the tragic event like a man by seeking retribution, but he will also “feel it as a man” (IV.iii.224) by openly grieving for his loss. The fact that Macduff believes in the importance of expressing one’s emotions serves as an example of nontraditional gender behavior and an example of what qualities befit a real man. Seeing as how emotions were often associated with womanly behavior, Macduff’s grieving provides the readers with an important example of how gender roles must often be challenged in order for individual progress to be made. Had Macduff not had the opportunity to grieve for his family, he would have gone to battle against Macbeth extremely vulnerable since his emotionally distraught state would distract him from his mission of vengeance. In fact, Macduff represents the perfect blend of male and female characteristics, mainly because he possesses the ability to both take action like a man would but still feel emotions as would a woman.
Macbeth Act IV.iii - Macduff's Take on Manhood https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0E34N9DX7kc (2:50-3:50)