Reread Scene iv, the final scene of Act II of The Tragedy of Macbeth. Then, explain how the Old Man’s conversation with Ross before Macduff enters the scene relates to earlier scenes in the play.

Ross was Macduff’s cousin and while walking with an old man outside the castle they discussed the unusual and unnatural things that were happening from the past few days. They discussed how it was dark even during daytime, how an owl killed a falcon and also how Duncan’s horses were behaving wildly and ate one another. Macduff then came from the castle and informed them about Macbeth had been declared as the king.

The conversation between the Old Man and Ross depicts how world was reacting to Duncan's murder. It signifies that if something bad happens in one part of the world, the other part also gets affected. The old man’s remarks suggests that unnatural death of Duncan and Macbeth being declaed as king would have an adverse effect and Macbeth’s reign would ruin .