Ross arrives at Macbeth’s camp with significant tidings regarding the state of affairs following the recent battles and the aftermath of Duncan’s murder. His primary purpose is to communicate the shift in power dynamics and the current atmosphere of suspicion and unrest within the kingdom. He also delivers information about Macduff’s flight to England.
The information Ross conveys serves a crucial function in advancing the narrative and shaping Macbeth’s subsequent actions. By detailing the growing distrust and the departure of key figures like Macduff, Ross’s news highlights the increasing instability of Macbeth’s reign and fuels the protagonist’s paranoia. Historically, the delivery of such information in dramatic works often served to accelerate the plot and reveal character motivations under pressure.