Discuss the Function of Ross in Macbeth

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Discuss the function of Ross

Ross is a minor character in Macbeth, however, he plays an important role as he serves as a messenger to the major characters. Ross first enters the play fairly early in Act I Scene ii, and informs King Duncan of the victory over Cawdor. He portrays Macbeth as very heroic as the war ‘began a dismal conflict’ until Macbeth arrived. He compares Macbeth’s bravery to that of the goddess of war’s husband ‘Bellona’s bridegroom’. He expresses great admiration for Macbeth and credits him completely for ‘the victory’ that ‘fell on’ them. Ross’s description of Macbeth prompts King Duncan to give the title of ‘Thane of Cawdor’ to Macbeth, and he tells him to ‘go pronounce’ the ‘present death’ of the former Thane of Cawdor and ‘with his former title greet Macbeth’. Thus, Duncan is fulfilling the witches prophecy, ‘what he hath lost, noble Macbeth hath won,’ this line reflects the witches prophecy in Act I Scene i where the witches say ‘when the battle’s lost, and won’.

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Ross is of further importance in the following scene, Act I Scene iii as he is the one to pass on the message form King Duncan informing Macbeth of his new title of ‘Thane of Cawdor’ and says ‘hail most worthy thane, for it is thine.’ Thus reinforcing the idea in Macbeth’s head that the witches prophecies witnessed earlier in this scene are in fact true, despite his doubts earlier. This leads to Macbeth’s first soliloquy where he debates with the idea that since the first prophecy from the witches came true, then the rest might be fulfilled as ...

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