*ANSWER KEY
Macbeth Literary Terms/Thematic Ideas
LITERARY TERMS:
Be sure you can define and explain the use of each literary term listed.
1) Elizabethan Drama is the set of English plays written during Queen Elizabeth I’s reign during the English
Renaissance. They turn away from the religious subjects of the Medieval period and use sophisticated
plots that are modeled on Ancient classical plays (Greek drama).
2) Tragedy: A type of drama that revolves around human conflict and ends in defeat and suffering. The main
character (dignified and noble) has a tragic flaw (hubris) which leads to his/her destruction. Sometimes the
conflict is with forces beyond the control of the character (fate, or an evil in the world).
Act I (conflict introduced), Act II (conflict heighten; tensions mount), Shakespearean Climax, Act III
(conflict could’ve been avoided but isn’t), Act IV (downfall/catastrophe),
Act V (consequences/aftermath)
3) Aside: a convention in drama whereby a character onstage addresses the audience to
reveal some inner thought or feeling, inaudible to other characters onstage
4) Soliloquy: monologue delivered by a character while alone onstage revealing inner
thoughts, emotions, or some other information the audience needs to know
5) Paradox: a statement which reveals a kind of truth which at first seems contradictory
Example: “Foul is fair and fair is foul, hover through the fog and filthy air”
6) Prophecy: predicted occurrence that incorporates the notion of Fate (or Destiny)
7) Hamartia: tragic error in judgement that leads to a character’s downfall
8) Hubris: having excessive pride (example of a tragic flaw)
9) Divine Right of Rule (Kings): God appoints/chooses a person to reign as king
10) Internal Conflict: Inside force/conflict
Macbeth (pride/ ambition/ greed/ guilt)
Lady Mac (pride/ ambition/ greed/ guilt)
11) External Conflict: outside forces/pressure
Macbeth (Lady Macbeth’s persistence, witches, Malcolm, Banquo, MacDuff)
12) Comic Relief: humorous scene or passage inserted into an otherwise serious work (emotional outlet for
audience to contrast seriousness of work)
13) Foil: a charcter who, by his contrast with the main character, serves to accentuate that character’s
distinctive qualities or characteristics
THEMATIC IDEAS:
Weather:
Be sure you can define and explain the significance of each theme.
plays off supernatural ideas / disaster:
The Elizabethans believed in a Great Chain of Being and that whenever something in the human world was out of balance, the
natural world would react in outbursts of unnatural or extreme events.
The conflict between good and evil often manifests through unnatural behaviours that overturn the natural order (regicide,
patricide, etc.).
witches=thunder/lightning, Duncan’s murder=storm the night before; nature is disordered when evil comes in to play
(*Natural verses unnatural as well)
No person can ‘play God,’ and when a human being ambitiously assumes he or she can, it leads to their tragic downfall.
Fate vs. Free Will choice or predestined?
Despite adversity and circumstances, and even fate, everyone is responsible for their own choices and is free to act as they
will.
Although it may often seem as though our lives are ruled by external forces such as Fate or Fortune, ultimately, how we use
our Free Will is the greatest determining factor in our lives’ final outcomes.
Fate: Macbeth was fated to kill Duncan regardless of what the witches said. It was all part of the plan/predestination.
Free Will: Macbeth made the decision to kill Duncan and take things into his own hands. He would’ve gotten the throne
sometime anyway.
Appearance vs. Reality people look and pretend to be different than their inner emotions/motives
Ex.
“vizards of our hearts,” “no art to find the mind’s construction in the face,” “look like the innocent flower but be the
serpent under ‘t”
One must never judge other people’s intentions, motivations, or values based on how they appear. Even the most honourable
people can change, or manipulate appearances to get what they want.
Appearances are not only misleading, but also give one a false sense of security that leaves us vulnerable to physical and/or
spiritual destruction.
Ambition:
Ultimately, those who align themselves with evil for the sake of worldly rewards come to realize that what they gain is not
worth damnation.
The power over others that results from unchecked ambition leads to the corruption of that individual’s moral nature.
Manhood/Masculinity:
A man need never question his masculinity when he is honest with himself and willing to be who he really is. What other
people define as ‘masculine’ is irrelevant; instead, it is important for individuals to be true to themselves.