In Shakespeare's Macbeth, the murders of Duncan, Banquo, and the ordered murder of Fleance (who is a child) serve strategical purposes. Duncan is killed so Macbeth can take his place, Banquo knows about the witches' predictions so therefore is a threat to Macbeth, and Fleance is in line for the throne, if the witches' predictions are to be believed.
The murder of Macduff's family has no strategic purpose. Macduff is not in line for the throne, or at least there are numerous people in front of him, and much less are any of his heirs. Macbeth is even assured in Act 4.1 that Macduff is no threat to him, though the messages are contradictory--one message is that he should beware of Macduff, while another tells him no man born of woman can harm him. And Macduff is safe in England, where Macbeth can't get at him. Again, no strategic purpose exists.
When Macbeth orders the murder of Macduff's family, he is lashing out, throwing a horrific temper tantrum, if you will. He can't get at Macduff, so he kills his family instead. Psychologically, he is getting at Macduff the only way he can.
This makes these murders even more terrible and more horrific than the murders of Duncan, Banquo, and the ordered murder of Fleance.
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