Final answer:
Macbeth orders Macduff's family killed to consolidate his power and remove threats, influenced by his and Lady Macbeth's ambition, setting off a chain of tragic events.
Step-by-step explanation:
Macbeth has Macduff's wife and children killed out of fear and a desire to consolidate his power. Perceiving Macduff as a threat, especially after he flees to England to support Duncan's son, Malcolm, Macbeth aims to eliminate any possibility of Macduff challenging him. In an act of retribution and preemptive aggression, he orders the murder of Macduff's family, a decision that ultimately leads to his downfall. Macbeth's tyrannical and paranoid behaviour escalates as the play progresses, showcasing a tragic fall from grace influenced by his ambition and the manipulations of Lady Macbeth.
Lady Macbeth's role is also significant here, as her early initiative and ambition drive Macbeth to commit regicide. This event becomes a domino effect, as Macbeth continues a downward spiral, feeling the need to commit more violence to secure his position as king. These complex motivations and character dynamics are critical to understanding the themes of unchecked ambition and guilt woven throughout the tragedy of Macbeth.