Final answer:
The statement made by Macduff is ironic as it underestimates the strength and capabilities of women, while Lady Macbeth challenges these traditional gender roles in the play.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement made by Macduff, 'Oh, gentle lady, 'Tis not for you to hear what I can speak. The repetition in a woman's ear, Would murder as it fell,' is ironic because it suggests that women are weak and fragile and cannot handle hearing disturbing information. However, it is Lady Macbeth who has been shown throughout the play to be strong, fearless, and even partaking in violent acts. The irony lies in the fact that Macduff, who underestimates women, encounters a woman like Lady Macbeth who defies traditional gender roles and expectations.