Character Analysis of Ross

Character Analysis – Ross * What does your character want in the scene? In act 4 scene 2 of Macbeth, Ross’ goal is to calm Lady Macbeth down after telling her about the departure of Macduff, her husband. This can be seen from things that he does in the scene. The scene begins with Ross speaking to Lady Macduff while she is stressing out about Macduff’s departure to England. Lady Macduff feels betrayed and furious because she thinks that Macduff abandoned her and their children. Ross tries to calm her down by telling her that maybe Macduff left for England for a good reason as seen from the quotation “You know not whether it was his wisdom or his fear.” (4.2.7) While Lady Macduff worries, Ross continues to calm Lady Macduff down by telling her that Macduff is “Noble, wise, judicious.” (4.2.16) He also tells her that if Macduff really did abandon them, he must have had a very good reason to do so as seen from the quotation “When we hold rumour from what we fear, yet know not what we fear but float upon a wild and violent sea each way and move.” (4.2.19-22) He then leaves Lady Macduff after telling her that things could not possibly get any worse than they are now as seen from “Things at the worst will either cease, or else climb upward to what they were before” (4.2.24-25) Thus Ross’ goal in this scene is simply to calm Lady Macduff