Question

read the excerpt from act 5, scene 8 of the tragedy of macbeth. macbeth and macduff are fighting each other. at another location, the leaders of the rebel army are evaluating the progress of the battling forces at the castle. a stage direction has been added in the middle of the excerpt.

retreat. flourish. enter, with drum and colours, malcolm, siward, ross, the other thanes, and soldiers.

malcolm. i would the friends we miss were safe arrived.

siward. some must go off: and yet, by these i see,
so great a day as this is cheaply bought.

malcolm. macduff is missing, and your noble son.

ross approaches siward with head slightly bowed and a somber expression

what does ross’s added stage direction most contribute to the scene?
○ a mood of respect
○ a feeling of anticipation
○ a tone of longing
○ a sense of uncertainty

Explanation:

Ross's stage direction (bowed head, somber expression) suggests he has bad news (about Siward's son or Macduff). This creates a feeling of anticipation as the audience waits to hear what he will reveal, contrasting with respect (no formal respect cues), longing (not yearning), or uncertainty (more about pending revelation than uncertainty).

Answer:

a feeling of anticipation