Macbeth
William Shakespeare
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Literary Elements
tragic hero
tragedy
motif
equivocation
foil
Choose one of the literary elements…
tragic hero
Literary
elements
Definition
tragedy
Literary
elements
Definition
motif
Literary
elements
Definition
equivocation
Literary
elements
Definition
foil
Literary
elements
Definition
tragic hero
The tragic hero is a man of noble
stature. He is not an ordinary
man, but a man with outstanding
quality and greatness about him.
His own destruction is for a
greater cause or principle.
Literary
elements
Example
tragedy
A dramatic composition, often in verse,
dealing with a serious or somber theme,
typically that of a great person destined
through a flaw of character or conflict
with some overpowering force, as fate or
society, to downfall or destruction.
Literary
elements
Example
motif
a recurring subject, theme,
idea, etc., especially in a
literary, artistic, or musical
work.
Literary
elements
Example
equivocation
the use of equivocal or ambiguous
expressions, especially in order to
mislead or hedge; prevarication; a
fallacy caused by the double
meaning of a word.
Literary
elements
Example
foil
a character who contrasts with
another character (usually the
protagonist) in order to highlight
particular qualities of the other
character.
Literary
elements
Example
tragic hero
For brave Macbeth--well he deserves that name—
1.2.18
Then yield thee, coward,
And live to be the show and gaze o' the time:
We'll have thee, as our rarer monsters are,
Painted on a pole, and underwrit,
'Here may you see the tyrant.’
5.8.27-31
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Next term
tragedy
Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.
5.5.19-30
Literary
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Next term
motif
It will have blood, they say; blood will have
blood.
3.4.145
I am in blood
Stepp'd in so far that, should I wade no more,
Returning were as tedious as go o'er.
3.4.160-162
Literary
elements
Next term
equivocation
drink "provokes the desire, but it
takes away the performance:
therefore, much drink may be said
to be an equivocator with lechery."
2.3.30-32.
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Next term
foil
MACBETH
If you shall cleave to my consent, when 'tis,
It shall make honour for you.
BANQUO
So I lose none
In seeking to augment it, but still keep
My bosom franchised and allegiance clear,
I shall be counsell'd.
2.1.31-36
Literary
elements