Literary Elements in Macbeth Act I
Term
allusion
Definition
a figure of speech that makes
a reference to famous people,
places, events, literary works,
myths, works of art, etc.
My teacher’s description/example
“Her beauty was beyond belief. She
was another Helen.”
My description/example
*The allusion is to Helen of Troy.*
Shakespeare uses allusions in Macbeth. Find two allusions in Act I and complete the chart below.
Allusion #1
Page and line
#
Copy the allusion
What is the reference?
Allusion #2
Page and line
#
Term
imagery
Copy the allusion
Definition
writing that appeals to the
senses
What is the reference?
My teacher’s description/example
writing that helps you see something,
feel something, hear something, smell
something, or taste something
My description/example
Images of blood and darkness run through the entire play of Macbeth. Find at least 4 examples of this imagery in Act I.
Page and line #
Copy the imagery
What is being described?
Shakespeare allows his characters to reveal their innermost thoughts and feelings to the audience through speeches called
soliloquies (see unit map for definition and example). Locate an example of a soliloquy in Act I and complete the chart below.
Soliloquy
Page #
Term
dramatic
irony
Who is delivering the soliloquy?
Definition
involves the reader (or
audience) knowing something
about what's happening in the
plot, about which the
character(s) have no
knowledge
Summarize the main points of the speech.
My teacher’s description/example
In The Scarlet Letter, the reader
knows that Reverend Dimmesdale is
the father of Hester’s baby but the
townspeople do not.
My description/example
Shakespeare uses dramatic irony throughout Macbeth. Find two examples of dramatic irony in Act I and complete the chart
below.
Dramatic Irony
Example 1:
Example 2: