Macbeth - Important Literary Terms
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Equivocation – an expression or statement that is vague and deliberately misleading
Antithesis – the use of words or phrases that contrast with each other to create a balanced effect
Paradox – a statement, proposition, or situation that seems to be absurd or contradictory, but in fact
is or may be true
Soliloquy – the act of speaking alone, often used as a theatrical device that allows a character’s
thoughts and ideas to be conveyed to the audience
Incantation – ritual chanting or use of “magic words”
Allusion – a suggested link in the text to something outside of the text, usually a historical person,
historical event, or literary figure
Dramatis Personae – list of characters in a play
Tragic Flaw – a character flaw that causes the downfall of the protagonist in a traged
Aside – a remark made by an actor, usually to the audience, that the other characters on stage
supposedly cannot hear
Comic Relief - a comic scene or passage inserted into a serious work, used to provide relief from
tension, or the further heightening of tension
Tragedy - a serious play with a tragic theme, often involves a heroic struggle and the downfall of a
major character
Bank Verse – unrhymed poetry that has a regular rhythm and line length (especially iambic
pentameter
Iambic Pentameter – the most common rhythm in English poetry, has five iambs (one unstressed
syllable followed by a
stressed syllable) in each line (ten syllables following the da DUM pattern)
Monologue – a long speech spoken by a character in the presence of others
Freytag’s Pyramid – see handout
Dramatic Irony – a situation, or the irony arising out of a situation, in which the audience has a
fuller knowledge of what is happening than the character does
Verbal Irony – a figure of speech in which what is said is the opposite of what is expected
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Imagery – figurative language used in poetry, plays and other literary works (examples are similes,
metaphors, hyperbole, personification, irony, understatement)
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Metaphor – a comparison without the words like or as
Simile – a comparison using the words like or as
Symbolism – a person, place, or thing that represents something else
Foreshadowing – to suggest that something, often something unpleasant, is going to happen
Irony - the use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning. "What a
wonderful weekend! I worked all day Saturday and Sunday."
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Hyperbole - obvious and intentional exaggeration: “I'd give my whole paycheck for a glass of
water.”
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Personification – assigning human characteristics to things, animals, or ideas for artistic effect
Understatement - set forth in restrained, moderate, or weak terms
Macbeth - Important Literary Terms
Equivocation –
Antithesis –
Paradox –
Soliloquy –
Incantation –
Allusion
Dramatis Personae –
Tragic Flaw –
Aside –
Comic Relief
Tragedy Bank Verse –
Iambic Pentameter –
Monologue
Freytag’s Pyramid –
Irony--Dramatic Irony –
Irony--Verbal Irony –
Irony--Situational Irony-Imagery –
Metaphor
Simile –
Symbolism –
Foreshadowing –
Irony -
Hyperbole -”
Personification –
Understatement -
Macbeth Literary Terms—
Define and find examples as you read. Use the terms in your discussions of the play.
Allusion
Antithesis –
Aside –
Bank Verse –
Comic Relief
Dramatis Personae –
Equivocation –
Foreshadowing –
Freytag’s Pyramid –
Hyperbole -”
Iambic Pentameter –
Imagery –
Incantation –
Irony Irony--Dramatic Irony
Irony--Situational Irony-Irony--Verbal Irony –
Metaphor
Monologue
Paradox –
Personification –
Simile –
Soliloquy –
Symbolism –
Tragedy Tragic Flaw –
Understatement –
Dramatis Personae for The Tragedy of Macbeth
DUNCAN, King of Scotland
MALCOLM & DONALBAIN, his sons
MACBETH General of the King’s Army, afterwards King of Scotland
LADY MACBETH
BANQUO, General of the King’s army
FLEANCE, Son to Banquo
MACDUFF, LENNOX, ROSS, MENTEITH, ANGUS, & CAITHNESS, Noblemen
of Scotland
LADY MACDUFF
HECATE and Three Witches
SIWARD, Earl of Northumberland, General of the English Forces
YOUNG SIWARD, his son
SEYTON, an Officer attending Macbeth
Boy, son to Macduff
An English doctor
A Scotch doctor
A Sergeant
A Porter
An old man
Gentlewoman attending on Lady Macbeth
Lords, Gentlemen, Officers, Soldiers, Murderers, Attendants, and
Messengers
The Ghost of Banquo, and other Apparitions